Many visitors to the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai are surprised to find that the mountains and jungles are so close to the city. They find that they have to consider all the outdoor things to do in Chiang Mai as well as tour the city's old town area and urban highlights. 

Chiang Mai is located in a valley surrounded by hills covered by jungles, streams, and misty forests. Hiking is a popular activity for visitors and locals alike. Some of the best things to do in the Chiang Mai area include adventurous activities that allow you to explore rural areas around the city and learn what life is like in the small villages and towns of this picturesque corner of Thailand. 

Here are five of the most popular sights to see and activities to explore on your trip to Chiang Mai.

Climb Doi Suthep

For a challenging start to your exploration of the Chiang Mai area, why not start with a climb to the summit of one of the tallest peaks in Thailand? Doi Suthep lies just west of Chiang Mai, and at 1,676 metres, is one of the two highest mountains in Thailand.

There’s a trail near Chiang Mai University in the valley below called the Monk's Trail or Wat Pha Lat Trail. It winds up the mountain to a Buddhist temple called Wat Pha Lat on the mountaintop. Climbing this trail takes about 2-3 hours one way. The trail can be steep and muddy, and no place for a casual hiker to venture. However, for experienced hikers, it can be rewarding, particularly when you reach the summit and are rewarded with a stunning view of the city below. The Monk's Trail starts at the end of Suthep Road near Chiang Mai University. There are signs indicating the trailhead. 

Explore the Mountain Town of Mae Kampong

The small hillside town of Mae Kampong is about an hour out of town and high up in the hills. Visitors come to experience real community tourism. With no hotel chains, 7-11s, or fast-food restaurants, the townspeople open their doors to visitors and offer a glimpse into the local way of life in the mountains of Thailand. The town is used to the steady stream of visitors and has ample accommodations and places to eat. Simply wandering around town for an afternoon makes it easy to see the appeal of a quiet, simple life in the lush mountains of Thailand. 

Minibuses will take you from the Talad Warorot marketplace in Chiang Mai to Mae Kampong. The trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Remember to bring cash for snacks and meals. There are no ATMs in Mae Kampong, and many restaurants only accept cash.

Visit an Elephant Sanctuary

Chaing Mai is famous for its elephant sanctuaries, in part because of an abundance of flowing rivers and lush jungles in the hills around the city. Both are resources that elephants and the sanctuaries housing them depend on. There are several reputable elephant sanctuaries in natural areas around Chiang Mai. Simply go online and read the reviews of past visitors and choose a sanctuary and package visit. There are half and whole-day visits, and some sanctuaries offer overnight stays. Some packages allow you to feed and walk with the elephants, and others also allow you to help bathe them in the local river. Please avoid visiting any "sanctuary" that forces elephants to perform or allows riding and elephant trekking.

Ziplining in the Jungles of Chiang Mai

Another activity that has proven to be a must-do in the surrounding hills and jungles of Chiang Mai is to walk and soar around in the jungle treetops courtesy of a number of suspended walkways and ziplines. These outdoor adventure companies also offer luges on rails that you can ride down a twisting and turning slope. There are a few companies offering this experience in the jungles around the city, including:

• Jungle Flight Zipline Adventure Chiang Mai
• Pongyang Jungle Coaster & Zipline Chiang Mai
• Skyline Jungle Lug Adventure Zipline Experience Chiang Mai

The companies offer a variety of packages based on the variety of activities and the amount of time you want to spend racing and flying around the jungle. You can book your visit online, and the companies offer shuttle services from Chiang Mai hotels.

Explore Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar

Before you end your exploration of the Chiang Mai Area, plan an evening of eating and exploring the Chaing Mai Night Bazaar. The bazaar starts every evening starting at 5 PM and runs until late. You'll find the wide expanses of alleys and stalls that define the night bazaar at the intersection of Chang Khlan Road and Loi Khro Road. The bazaar will spread out for around two blocks or so around you. 

You'll find the best selection of silver jewellery, silk cloth in the patterns of the hill tribes, carved wooden elephants and other souvenirs to remind you of your colourful and exciting trip to Thailand. This is also the place to sample some of the best street food and regional delicacies in the city.

Stay at Centara Riverside Hotel Chiang Mai

Book your stay in Chiang Mai at the centrally located Centara Riverside Hotel Chiang Mai. This high-rise hotel offers stunning views of the city and the Ping River. It also offers a spectacular outdoor swimming pool to relax in after a day of exploring the jungles, rivers, and mountains surrounding the city. Plan a holiday of outdoor exploration in Northern Thailand and book a stay at Centara Riverside Hotel Chiang Mai.