BEST OUTDOOR PLACES TO RELAX IN CHIANG MAI

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Chiang Mai has lots to offer – hundreds of temples, dozens of markets, malls, massages, great excursions, exciting nightlife… But sometimes all that hustle can get a bit much. So where can you go to just relax and enjoy the outdoors?

I travel a lot and I have noticed that sometimes the best memories are not about the famous sights or thrilling experiences but about just sitting and soaking up the atmosphere. One of my favorite things to do is to find a quiet and beautiful place, look around, and maybe read for a while in a favorite book…

If you are the same and are wondering where best to enjoy some reading or relaxing in Chiang Mai, I have you covered. Read on for my countdown of the very best places I found during my time there!

Best Outdoor Places for some rest and relaxation

# 8: Chiang Mai’s Moat

Chiang Mai’s Old Town is surrounded on all four sides by a moat. Along the moat you will find benches and beautiful views of manicured grass and pretty flowers. Some of the prettiest sights in Chiang Mai!

Biggest Plus: No matter which side of Chiang Mai you are staying at, you are likely close to a part of the moat so getting there is easy.

Biggest Minus: Unfortunately, right next to the moat are the main roads around Chiang Mai so there is always lots of traffic. Good for watching life go by, not so good for fresh air and quiet.

# 7: Lanna Traditional House Museum

South of Nimman you will find this outdoor museum with numerous traditional wooden houses of the Lanna Kingdom. You can enjoy your time either inside one of the buildings or on a bench in the surrounding park.

Biggest Plus: The views are beautiful, it is quieter than many other places in town, and there is plenty of shade.

Biggest Minus: This is a museum with limited opening hours and though the entrance fee at 100 baht isn’t much, this is probably more a one-off visit than a regular hang-out. And while the park is generally quiet, you do hear the airplanes go overhead quite regularly.

# 6: Riverside

Unlike in Bangkok and many other cities, Chiang Mai’s main river, the Ping, does not run through the center of town but rather on the Western side of it. There are benches right along the river bank and various cafes, bars, and restaurants offer seating with a view of the river.

Biggest Plus: The river is without a doubt one of the prettiest parts of Chiang Mai.

Biggest Minus: This will depend a bit on exactly where you sit. The free public benches are very close to the public road so suffer from noise and air pollution. The cafes etc. come at a cost.

Do you want to spend more time admiring the river? Then a Ping River Cruise may be right for you. Read my review to see if it is right for you.

# 5: Little Garden in Old Town

I love Chiang Mai but do have to admit that the Old Town does not offer a lot of greenery. One fairly central space to take a break and relax is Little Garden to the West of Tha Phae Gate along the main street.

This space offers benches and tables and is surrounded by various shops, services, and cafes.

Biggest Plus: Convenient and practical.

Biggest Minus: While a great place to get out of the heat and off your feet, Little Garden is not as exciting or beautiful as most of the other options on this list.

# 4: The Pool

Sometimes you need more of a break than just sitting on a bench for half an hour. If you are done with temples for a bit or the heat is just too much, the pool is the perfect option. If you are lucky, you are staying at a hotel that has one. But if not, do not despair – there are several hotels offering day (or month) passes to use their facilities. I highly recommend the pool at the Shangri-La (in the off season).

Biggest Plus: The pool is obviously the best way to really beat the heat.

Biggest Minus: As wonderful as an afternoon (or a day) at the pool is – it isn’t specific to Chiang Mai or even Thailand. Only you can decide if you want to take some time to just completely detach. And of course cost/accessibility depend on where you are staying.

# 3: Buak Had Public Park

Buak Had Public Park is the only actual park within Chiang Mai’s Old town. It isn’t huge but very pretty and a great place both for relaxing and people watching.

Biggest Plus: Pretty, free, and still within Old Town.

Biggest Minus: Not much. The South-Western corner of Old Town is maybe slightly out of the way and there is only a limited number of benches but all in all this park is a great destination.

# 2: Temples

Okay, number 2 is different from the other places on this list as it isn’t actually just one place but rather a category. Almost all temples will have some benches/seats and quiet areas to reflect and recharge. While a couple charge an entrance fee, most you can just walk in.

Two temples that I can especially recommend for their scenic and peaceful ambiance are Wat Chai Mongkol near the Anantara Hotel at the shore of the Ping River and Wat Chet Lin with the beautiful fish pond.

Biggest Plus: You can find a nearby temple almost anywhere in Chiang Mai and the atmosphere is often quite peaceful and spiritual.

Biggest Minus: Again there aren’t really any big negatives. Some temples may charge an entrance fee or be busy but most make a great place to relax.

# 1: Chiang Mai University/Angkaew Reservoir

Number Two is already pretty much perfect but for me nothing beats the beauty, fresh air, and peaceful vibe of Chiang Mai University and Angkaew Reservoir.

There are plenty of pretty areas with flower beds, trees, and lawns all over the University campus but Angkaew Reservoir is absolutely stunning. There is a path for walking or running around the tranquil lake and you can find plenty of benches, picnic tables, and shade. And the backdrop of hilly mountains makes it even more stunning.

My favorite place in Chiang Mai!

Biggest Plus: Quiet, peaceful, and stunning!

Biggest Minus: To me, Angkaew Reservoir was perfection. However, depending on where you stay in Chiang Mai the University may be a bit further away (I recommend taking Grab instead of walking there) and the campus can be confusing (I did get lost for quite a while).

Don’t miss these peaceful spots

Chiang Mai has various green spaces well suited for reading and relaxing. And these are some of the best budget-friendly activities in town!

My favorite outdoor destination in town was the University Campus and Angkaew Reservoir but tastes vary and you may prefer one of the temples or the riverside.

But luckily, you don’t have to choose just one. Depending on where you stay or where your explorations take you, you can try out several (or all) of my recommendations to see which you like best.

I hope you enjoy your stay in Chiang Mai as much as I did – can’t wait to go back!