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Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai is a carefree contrast to Bangkok. Locked between the country’s northern hills, the city is surrounded by jungle on all sides. Visitors to Chiang Mai tend to linger here, learning about the region’s aromatic food, relaxing in the laid-back hotels and walking through temple ruins.

Once the capital of the 13th-century northern Thai Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai was originally a walled city, known for its markets and monasteries. The modern city has long since burst beyond the old walls, but you’ll still find the streets graced with barefoot monks, street vendors and flourishing markets.

Chiang Mai is one of the destinations in Thailand that I most anticipate returning to because of its temples, walkable old city, developing arts scene, and distinct, tasty local cuisine (especially khao soi, a curried noodle soup).

Things to see and do in Chiang Mai

Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Known locally as Doi Suthep, this temple and its legends are considered among the most important in Thailand. According to the tale, a precious relic, believed to be a piece of Buddha’s shoulder bone, was tied to the back of a sacred white elephant. After roaming Chiang Mai’s hills, the elephant lay down and died atop Mount Suthep. The golden shrine of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was built on the same spot to house the heirloom.

Pilgrims earn Buddhist virtue by climbing a 306-step staircase up to the temple, which is flanked by two mirror-encrusted serpents (there’s also a lift). The terrace at the top is covered with small shrines, gardens and breadfruit trees. The views right across Chiang Mai are best appreciated in the fading light of late afternoon, when accompanied by the sound of pilgrims ringing bells set around the base of the temple. You’re also encouraged to hit one of the world’s largest gongs.

Cycle the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam

Far more peaceful than the well-preserved ancient capitals of Ayutthaya or Sukhothai, the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam remained hidden underground until recent excavations. The 13th-century capital of Lanna was abandoned due to flooding. Located 5 km (3 miles) south of Chiang Mai, the ruins lie in a sleepy rural setting along the banks of the Mae Ping River.

The lanes that meander through the ruins are ideal for cycling along — and you’re unlikely to see anyone else. The full history of the site is still uncertain, but the huge plinths and stupas that remain give an idea of its importance. More than 1,300 artifacts were found during its unearthing, some of which are on show in a small visitor center nearby.

Haggle for a bargain in Chiang Mai’s night bazaar

Chiang Mai began as a market town, a convenient stopping point on the original trade route from China to Myanmar. Markets are still an important part of the community, with bazaars scattered across the city. The Chiang Mai night bazaar is the focal point — open seven nights a week until the small hours.

Located to the east of the city walls, it’s difficult to miss the bazaar’s bright lights, music and wafts of tod mun (fried fish cakes). Stalls around the outskirts of the market sell plastic sunglasses and questionable designer goods, but stroll further in and you’ll find antiques and swathes of screen-printed fabrics. Hill tribe traders bring traditional goods to sell, including organic coffee and hand-woven baskets. When shopping, bargaining for a good price is expected (and best achieved with a dose of good humor and some patience).

Learn Thai cooking with a local family

Mr Prapat and his family live in a residential area of Chiang Mai, surrounded by their well-tended garden. Spending a day cooking with them, you’ll start to appreciate the subtle nuances of Thai food. Helped by one of the family, you’ll begin your lesson by picking fresh chilies and basil leaves, and foraging for cilantro root. Meanwhile, the rest of the family — all four generations — begin to prepare the rest of the ingredients.

You’ll then be patiently coached through preparing a number of dishes, pounding the fragrant curry pastes and balancing the delicate salty and sweet tastes. Dishes are eaten around the family dining table, accompanied by fresh watermelon juice or coconut water.

Visit the Elephant Nature Park

Thailand’s Asian elephant population is in steep decline, threatened by hunting, habitat loss and poor working conditions. The Elephant Nature Park was started in 1990 to improve the lives of working elephants and provide them with emergency medical treatment. The foundation has since taken in a number of neglected working elephants, giving them space to roam while caring for their ongoing medical needs.

On arrival, you’ll be shown around the site before settling down to watch the elephants grazing, playing and interacting — just as they would in the wild. You have the opportunity to observe the elephants. During lunch you can join the park’s specialists to learn about the elephants’ biology and psychology. The day finishes with the chance to help bathe the elephants in the local river.

Best time to visit Chiang Mai

From November to February, Chiang Mai enjoys comfortable temperatures and clear skies. The days reach 77°F (25°C) with cooler evenings. March is best avoided as rural villages tend to burn their crops before the higher temperatures arrive in April. The monsoon rains continue until September. If you’re happy to see the occasional rain shower, October is an excellent-value month to travel, when Chiang Mai is surrounded by lush greenery.

Festivals, events and seasonal reasons to visit

• The Chiang Mai Flower Festival is celebrated over the first weekend of February. Intricate chrysanthemum-covered floats are paraded down the streets, accompanied by traditional dancing and music.
• In November, Chiang Mai celebrates Yi Peng, the festival of light, as the city’s own version of the nationwide Loy Krathong Festival. Thousands of khom loy (floating lanterns) are released into the night sky, said to carry misfortune away.