The beautiful northern capital of Thailand will prove to you that the country is much more than just the sea and beaches. Surrounded by jungle, it hides breathtaking ancient temples, blooming botanical gardens or majestic elephants. Discover with me the top 10 most instagrammable places in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai is no longer just the popular digital nomad safe heaven, but it is quickly getting more and more popular among tourists and photographers as well. No wonder, with its beautiful temples, amazing nature and majestic elephants, it offers the best of Thailand besides the classical beach destinations. Discover with me the top 10 most instagrammable places in Chiang Mai and explore the other side of Thailand you might have not known before.
Most instagrammable places in Chiang Mai
We are talking about one of the most spiritual cities in Thailand. So don’t be surprised that about half of the most instagrammable places in Chiang Mai are temples. However, there is much more than just that. From luxury hotels and unique festivals to beautiful botanical gardens and majestic animals, as the local elephants certainly, are.
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➯ Katie’s tip: Interested in the camera I am using? It is Canon 80D with Sigma 17-50mm f2.8, Sigma 30mm f1.4 Art and Canon 50mm f1.8 lenses.
Loy Krathong & Yee Peng Lantern Festivals
You know the feeling when hundreds of hot air paper lanterns just take off simultaneously and fill the sky with a sea of little lights? Well, me neither. As such a thing is strictly forbidden in my country due to fire safety regulations and most likely it is in yours as well. Well, not so much in Thailand. I have experienced this beautiful sight when celebrating the New Year at Phuket, but it was still incomparable to the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng lantern festivals in Chiang Mai.
➯ Katie’s tip: Bring a camera with a lens that will do well in low light and ideally a tripod. I am using Canon 80D with Sigma 30 mm 1.4 lens and Manfrotto BeFree Tripod and I love it!
Wat Lok Moli
Wat Lok Moli immediately reminded me of the beautiful ancient pagodas in Bagan, Myanmar. No wonder, it has the same plain brick look and constructed in the 14th century, it counts among the oldest temples in whole Chiang Mai. However, even more than the ancient pagoda itself, I have enjoyed the slick looking black and white temple with an ancient brick gate in front of it. Truly an example of Thai architectural elegance.
➯ Read more:10 amazing things to do and see in Phuket, Thailand
Doi Ithanon
Surprisingly for the highest mountain of Thailand, climbing up Doi Inthanon is not worth it just for the view. The Thais decided to turn its peak into a beautiful garden with its signature elegant violet pagodas.
➯ Katie’s tip: Head for a Doi Inthanon National Park Tour with Klook and save up to 22% off the price. Moreover, register via this link and get another 3.2 USD discount.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most popular temple in the Chian Mai area, so be sure to come early, as the crowds get pretty nasty. My tip is to take a shot from one the corners so you can squeeze in its characteristic golden parasols.
➯ Katie’s tip: Head for a Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Trekking Tour with Klook and save up to 35% off the price. Moreover, register via this link and get another 3.2 USD discount.
Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai Hotel
It came as such a surprise to me when I finally found out that Dhara Dhevi was actually a hotel! I knew it from photos and I have always imagined it must be a ravishing ancient temple or palace in the center of Chiang Mai. Well, that doesn’t make it any less beautiful or photogenic.
➯ Check out: Price of rooms in Dhara Devi hotel.
Wat Rajamontean
A truly unique temple, even in terms of Chiang Mai. What makes it distinctive is not just its brown color, nor the rich decorations, but the huge statue of sitting Buddha Placed in front of it.
➯ Read more: Top 10 most instagrammable places in Bangkok
Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
If you get tired of temples, my best recommendation is to jump on a motorbike and drive about an hour from the city to the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden. It is a great place to relax among the beautiful flowers, but even better, it is full of great photo opportunities. The best is for sure these stairs with a roof overgrown by climbing plants. It is not that easy to be found, so search well in the top part of the Garden’s glasshouse complex.
➯ Check out: Prices of hotels in Chiang Mai
Wat Suan Dok
And one last temple for each of you already fed up with them. Wat Suan Dok is unmistakable even in Chiang Mai with its signiture huge golden pagoda and a labyrint of small white ones in front of. Get lost in the beautiful white towers and use the big golden structure as a dominant of your background.
➯ Read more: Top 10 most instagrammable places in Cambodia
Elephant Sanctuary
Elephants are the symbol of Thailand and it is impossible not to love these magnificent creatures. Luckily, Chiang Mai is basically the elephant capital of the whole kingdom. If you try for a bit, you will find plenty of opportunities where you can not only interact, but also take great pictures with these calm giants.
➯ Read more: Sukhothai – the peaceful ancient capital of Thailand
The best and the most ethical way how to get close to elephants in Chiang Mai is in the Elephant Sanctuary. You can not only try to take care of them and photograph them, but you are sure they are well treated.
➯ Katie’s tip: Buy your ticket to the Elephant Sanctuary with Klook and get a discount of up to 14 %. Register via this link and get another 3.2 USD discount.
Let me hear from you
I have really enjoyed my stay in Chiang Mai. Not only it was a great place to relax, but we also realized it is one of the most instagrammable places in Thailand! I brought you my list of top 10 most instagrammable places in Chian Mai, how do you like it? And is there a place you would say I have missed? Let me know in the comments section!
Love,
Katie
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4 comments
Such an interesting post!
Thank you very much, I am glad you like it!
Where did you go to experience Loy Krathong & Yee Peng Lantern Festival?
Unfortunately, I have been to Chiang Mai in a wrong time to see it myself