It is sometimes surprising to read that Chiang Mai only deserves two days of visiting, while its region is by far the richest in natural, ethnic, and historical sites in all of Thailand. To give a rough idea, here is a non-exhaustive list of some activities and visits possible in the “Rose of the North” and its surroundings… And of course, this doesn’t even mention the many festivals held throughout the year in the city (Flower Festival, Tribal Festival, Umbrella Festival, Loy Krathong, Songkran, Hmong and Chinese New Year, Buddha Days, etc.):

Temples in downtown (Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, etc.);

The princess cemetery (Wat Suan Dok), with its hundred white chedis and its Sala Khan Prian (the largest in Thailand);

The forest monastery Umong and its underground tunnels;

The magnificent Silver Temple (Wat Suan Sat) and the silversmith street;

The National History Museum (on the highway) and the Three Kings Cultural Museum (downtown);

Massage schools and cooking schools (some even offer French-language courses);

Numerous markets (Sunday market, Saturday market, Warorot market, Ton Lam Yai market, etc.);

Jungle or mid-mountain trekking (avoid “tourist” treks and choose agencies offering hikes outside tourist zones);

Elephant preservation camps (prefer small family-run structures where elephants live on forest edges in miscanthus fields, i.e., their natural habitat; avoid large publicized camps where elephants are confined behind barriers on mowed fields);

Doi Inthanon National Park (the most beautiful panoramas of Thailand!), its Karen villages, spectacular waterfalls (Wachiratan, etc.), the king’s and queen’s chedis, its summit (the highest in Thailand), its markets, etc.;

The terraced rice fields of Mae Chaem (the most beautiful in Thailand!) and the many Karen villages there;

The caves of Chiang Dao (developed as Thai and Burmese monasteries) and Chiang Dao National Park (breathtaking panoramas!) as well as the many silver Palaung and Lisu villages found there;

Various sports activities in the Mae Sa valley or at Huay Tung Tao lake (quads, zipline, etc.);

Huay Tung Tao lake (possibility to swim and eat in huts – home of the famous “dancing shrimp” and lemon-flavored tilapia fish!) with many walking trails. Superb!

The Grand Canyon and its amazing geological formations (with swimming opportunities);

The forest monastery Wat Pha Lad at 600 meters altitude on the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai (magnificent!);

The temple Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (at 1050 meters altitude on the mountain of the same name) and its golden chedi (one of the country’s main pilgrimage sites);

The Hmong villages of Doi Pui (touristy) and especially Ban Khun Chiang Khian (less touristy) with its school and beautiful high-altitude coffee plantation (coffee tasting possible);

The Hmong village of Mon Djem atop its mountain after the Mae Sa valley (superb panoramas, many crops where Hmong work, restaurant at the summit);

The ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam, a medieval city built by King Mangrai in 1286 (10 years before Chiang Mai) 3 km south of Chiang Mai (70 temple ruins). It can be visited by horse-drawn carriage;

The ancient city of Wiang Than to the west of Chiang Mai (20 temple ruins – zero tourists!);

The amazing “Terracotta Garden” with many Khmer-style religious constructions (there is also a café-restaurant there) and not far from it, the Ganesh museum;

The magnificent royal floral park Rajapruek (southwest of Chiang Mai) and its ubosot at the foot of the mountain;

The Mae Wang valley south of Chiang Mai (trekking, elephant camps, bamboo rafting);

The Mae Tang valley north of Chiang Mai (trekking, elephant camps, rubber rafting);

The artisan villages of Bo Sang and Ban Tawai (almost all souvenirs found in Thailand are made there!): silk village, umbrella village, teak, celadon, etc.;

The Wat Ton Kwai temple at Samoeng still totally in its original state (west of Chiang Mai, one of the most authentic Lan Na temples in the country) – zero tourists!;

The city of Lampang 28 km south of Chiang Mai and its many Mon Dvaravati period temples (preceding the arrival of the Thais in the region);

The hot springs of San Kamphaeng (possibility to bathe and spend a very pleasant half-day or more) and the little monkey temple (on the road);

The Wat Phrathat Doi Saket temple atop its hill (20 km north of Chiang Mai), also a meditation school;

The magnificent Queen Sirikit Garden in the Mae Sa valley deep in the jungle (a high-wire circuit is installed there to observe the canopy, as well as many greenhouses with all the region’s plants) – very few tourists;

The snake farm and the very interesting insect museum in the Mae Sa valley (its director is the country’s best entomologist, author of many books. Chatting with him is very enriching!);

The fascinating tribal museum in the middle of its island 5 km north of Chiang Mai (Mae Rim road);

The Princess Dararasami museum in Mae Rim;

Etc, etc, etc…

A little farther away, Chiang Mai is an excellent base to visit:

The city of Lampang, its many temples including Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang (the most beautiful Lan Na temple in the country!), the incredible Wat Phra Bat Phu Pha Daeng atop its mountain (one of the most spectacular in the country!), its cliffs with 1800 prehistoric paintings (Phra Tu Pha), etc.;

The mountain Doi Ang Khang (Myanmar border, Palaung, Lisu and Lahu villages), high-altitude plantations (coffee, strawberries, etc.), Chinese village;

Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, Pai, Soppong, Pang Mapha (in my opinion, the most interesting place in Thailand for those interested in hill tribes);

The Golden Triangle.