Northern Thailand · WALKING TOURS
The Old City is flat, small and hostile to cars, which makes it walking country. These 15 are priced by length, with a note on which ones go out at night and which enter the wats.
Walk Chiang Mai’s Old City with an English-speaking local guide, visiting Wat Chedi Luang, teak-built Wat Phan Tao, and lavish Wat Phra Singh. Guides such as Nana, Sunny, TomTam, and Popcorn are praised for clear history, humor, meditation tips, and helpful photos.
“Nuttata is a really great tour guide. I learned a lot about Chiang Mai and thai people as well as buddhism :)”
Spend three hours walking Chiang Mai’s old city with an English-speaking local guide such as Jen, Pun, or Danny. Visit four important temples, hear Buddhist and Lanna stories, and finish at Wat Chedi Luang. Small groups, water, and a low-impact route make this a useful first look at Chiang Mai.
“Excellent walking tour around the old city of Chiang mai. Our guide Pun was extremely knowledgeable and explained lots about the history of the city and its temples. A great way to see the old town and understand the history and culture. Recommended”
Start at 8:20 am with a Thai or English-speaking guide, then walk through Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Phra Singh. Guides such as Son, Katoon, Eddie, and Big have explained Buddhist practice, temple design, meditation, and Chiang Mai history in a relaxed, question-friendly style.
“I liked the way how he explained the history of Thailand combined with Buddhism. Not only in theory, right at the beginning of the tour we practised meditation for a few minutes and experienced how it feels getting calm and still. He also could answer any questions we had. I liked the tour very much and can recommend it.”
Follow an English or Thai-speaking TripGuru guide from Chansom Memorial Bridge through Ton Lamyai Flower Market and Warorot Market. Try steamed rice dumplings, dinosaur-shaped pa thong ko, mango sticky rice, and Hakka noodles. Morning departures are best for the full food route.
“We had a great time! Sunny provided a lot of information, and showed us all around the markets explaining the different foods. She also helped take our pictures at the places we ate at. Everything was simple and easy. At the end, we were stuffed!! Thank you again Sunny for a great time.”
Join Jimmy and a local mahout family for a hands-on day with rescued elephants near Chiang Mai. Prepare food, feed and walk the animals without saddles or hooks, share a home-cooked meal, then visit Mae Wang Waterfall. Expect mountain roads, outdoor activity, and a flexible village schedule.
“Such an amazing experience. Highly recommended to anyone visiting chiang mai.”
Walk Chiang Mai’s old city with an English or Thai-speaking guide, meeting at the Three Kings Monument before visiting Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. Guides such as Bim, Bin, Emmy, Farm, and Amy explain Lanna culture, Buddhist customs, art, and local history in a group of up to eight.
“Amazong experience tour in Chiang Mai with the best Guide of the city Amy! 100% recomended!!”
Walk Chiang Mai’s Old City with an English and Thai-speaking guide, visiting Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Phra Singh. Guides such as Gan, Koi, Nick, and Booncharoen have been praised for clear stories, humor, and thoughtful answers. Entrance fees cost extra.
“This tour is a great way to explore the temples, and to understand the history of Chiang Mai. Booncharoen, our guide, was great: knowledgeable, open to questions and clearly loves this city.”
Meet at Three Kings Monument for a 3.5-hour walk through Wat Sadeu Muang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Chedi Luang. Guide Katoon, also listed as Cartoon or Khatom, brings former-monk experience to Buddhism, temple customs, architecture, and Chiang Mai history.
“Katoon was our Guide. My husband and I were lucky enough to do the tour alone. He was attentive and kind. He explained the whole route very well. I highly recommend it.”
Meet beneath the orange umbrella at Three Kings Monument for a three-hour Old Town food walk led in English by guides such as Varisa and Warat. Expect banana-leaf sticky rice, sai ua, larb, khao soi, Thai tea, desserts, temple visits, and a secret dish.
“It was great. Warat imteoduces us to several restaurants and dishes we would have otherwise never tried. He also taught us about the local history and traditions.”
Walk from the Three Kings Monument to two major Chiang Mai temples in 2.5 hours. Your English-speaking guide explains King Mangrai, Lanna architecture, Buddhist customs, and temple art. Guides named in guest feedback include Kitty and Khun Bim, though assignments can vary.
“It was great tour with friendly and knowledgeable guide, who managed to provide both detailed and interesting information. We were beforehand asked if we want to get blessing from monk for luck which was very thoughtful as not every person wants to participate in something of other religion. Overall this tour is great value for it's cost.”
Walk Chiang Mai’s food streets with an English and Thai-speaking guide, stopping for pa tong go, mango sticky rice, khao kriab pak moh, and Hakka noodles. Koi and Sunny have led especially well-liked tours, but you pay separately for every tasting.
“Koi was a wonderful tour guide and we tried so much interesting food! A great walking tour that I highly recommend for anymore who loves food and wants to learn more.”
Meet Katoon at Three Kings Monument for a thoughtful walking tour of four Chiang Mai temples. As an ex-monk, he explains Buddhist customs, temple art, and monastic life in clear English or Chinese, with plenty of time for questions.
“We had a really nice visit through Chiang Mai, with Katoon, an ex Monk who taught us everything about temples, Buddhism and answered all your questions about his past life being a Monk. He was very caring and patient with us.”
Meet your English- or Thai-speaking guide at Wat Phra Singh at 5 pm for a three-hour walk through Chiang Mai’s Old City. Hear about Buddhism, royal history, and temple design at Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, then finish at the Three Kings Monument. Guides may include former monks such as James.
“The guide was very knowledgable also due to the fact that he was a monk for five years when younger.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Wat Phra Singh for a three-hour twilight walk through Chiang Mai’s Old City. You’ll visit Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, hear about their art and royal past, then finish at the Three Kings Monument. Bring temple-appropriate clothing and 100 THB for entrance fees.
“Good tour, but should maybe have a discounted pricing for children. Tour guide was very kind and explained us how things works in Thailand. We maybe wish a better level of English to be easier to understand”
Meet before sunrise at Wat Chai Sri Phum and walk beside monks collecting food from local devotees. At Mueang Mai Market, your English or Chinese-speaking guide explains alms giving and Thai Buddhist customs. The tour ends with a temple discussion led by an ex-monk, such as Son or Katoon.
“Here’s a polished, clear, and warm version of your review while keeping your voice and all your points: --- This was an incredibly enriching cultural experience. We had already learned a lot about temples from visiting different sites around Chiang Mai, so it was amazing to finally understand the practice of Buddhism and monkhood on a deeper level. Our guide, Son, was outstanding. He was a junior monk for 13 years, so his knowledge is vast, practical, and authentic. As we walked with the monks and watched people give food, he was always available to talk about anything — alms giving, Buddhism, monk life, temple etiquette, or Thai culture. He…”
Pick a mountain, a market or a kitchen.
