Best of Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Jing Jai Market: Only open Friday through Sunday, this open-air market is a beautiful place to shop for local crafts and clothing. The food hall is the perfect place to try local Thai cuisine such as papaya salad, pad thai, spring rolls and fried bananas.

• Muay Thai Fight: A traditional Muay Thai fight is a must-see when visiting Thailand. Located in the Kalare Night Bazaar, you will be entertained for hours as you watch fighters from all over the world compete.

• Wat Phra That Soi Duthep Temple: A 30-minute scooter ride outside Chiang Mai will take you up the mountain to this gorgeous temple. Receive a blessing from a monk, enjoy the architecture and see a view of Chiang Mai from above. When you’re finished, grab some food or a coffee and explore the shops.

• Night Bazaar: This maze of shops, local food and artistry is an amazing place to find cheap clothing and other items. You can also try an assortment of food from one of the many food stalls at the Kalare Market.

• Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: Interact with rescued elephants at one of their many sanctuaries. Make their medicine balls, feed them bananas, give them a mud bath and have a water fight in the pond. An unforgettable experience.

• Fish Spa: Get a pedicure from garra fish, small freshwater fish that eat dead skin. You’ll be tickled by the sensation, and leave with soft feet.

• Wat Chedi Luang: A historic Buddhist temple in the center of Chiang Mai. This temple was built in the 14th century, and is a must-see for history lovers or those interested in the Buddhist culture. You can even approach Buddhist monks during certain hours and ask them questions about their lives.

• Join a Thai Akha Cooking Class: There are no shortage of options when choosing a Thai cooking class. The one we chose included an optional market tour to be a part of purchasing the ingredients we would be cooking. You will be guided through making seven dishes, including spring rolls, tom yum soup, mango sticky rice, curry and more. The class is perfectly paced so that you never feel rushed or hungry. Wine and beer are offered for you to purchase while you cook.

Jing Jai Market - Large food stall with many options

• Chang Puek Market: This food market right off the street has amazing selections, including the “Cowboy Hat Lady” stand visited by Anthony Bourdain. It features her amazing signature dish “khao kha moo”, slow-braised pork served over rice, with pickled mustard greens and an egg. We tried it, and it was incredible.

• Kalare Food and Shopping Center: Located near the Night Bazaar, this is a great place to grab a drink or fruit juice. Try some fried scorpion on a stick, get some rolled ice cream and listen to live music. There are many different styles of food from all over the world featured here.

• Central Mall food court: If you’re looking for cheap Thai food ($3 a dish), this is the spot. We frequented this food court often for a reliable and affordable meal, and the Khao Soi kept us coming back. Khao Soi is a traditional Thai dish that can be found in most restaurants in Chiang Mai. This consists of a coconut curry broth, pork leg, chili spices, egg noodles, egg and crispy wontons. This dish is one of my top recommendations. If you try one thing in Thailand, it has to be Khao Soi.

• The Baristro at Train Station: A modern and clean coffee shop that offers coffee beans from all over the world, as well as unique craft coffee beverages unlike anything you have tried before. Examples include a honey-lemon coffee, a charcoal powder latte and a matcha green tea crepe cake.