Chiang Mai Walking Tour: A Family-Friendly Self-Guided Itinerary
Explore Chiang Mai with our self-guided walking tour covering temples, night markets, and street food. Complete family budget breakdown shows how 5 people can spend under $40 for a full day.
The perfect square mile of Chiang Mai's Old Town fits neatly inside its ancient moat and crumbling walls, making it one of the most walkable cities in Southeast Asia. We've spent months here across multiple visits, and this self-guided walking tour remains one of our favorite ways to introduce the city to families new to northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai served as the capital of the Lan Na Kingdom for centuries, and that history is still visible in every gilded temple spire and weathered city gate. What we love about this particular route is that it hits the historical highlights while leaving plenty of time for mango smoothies, street food, and the inevitable "my feet hurt" breaks that come with traveling with kids.
Starting Point: Three Kings Monument
The Three Kings Monument sits at the heart of the Old Town and makes a logical starting point for understanding Chiang Mai's origins. The bronze statues depict King Mengrai (founder of Chiang Mai), King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai, and King Ngam Muang of Phayao, three rulers who famously made a pact never to wage war against each other. They joined forces to establish Chiang Mai in 1296, and their friendship literally shaped the region.
Getting here is easy. Flag down a red truck (songthaew) from anywhere in the city and tell the driver "Three Kings." These shared taxis run constantly and rarely cost more than 30 to 40 baht per person for trips within the Old Town. We use them constantly and find them far more convenient than trying to navigate traffic on foot with kids in tow.
Wat Phra Singh: The Big One
From the monument, it's a short walk west to Wat Phra Singh, generally considered the most important temple in Chiang Mai. The complex dates back nearly 700 years and houses around 700 monks, making it both historically significant and very much a living, active religious site.
The main attraction is the Phra Singh Buddha image, though the original solid gold head was stolen in 1922. What remains is still striking, and the surrounding murals depicting scenes of northern Thai life are worth lingering over. The temple grounds are beautifully maintained, with the kind of intricate woodcarving and gilded details that make Thai temple architecture so distinctive.
Admission is typically 40 baht for adults, and children under 135 centimeters enter free. We usually budget about 30 to 45 minutes here, though you could easily spend longer if the kids are engaged.
Pro tip: Dress appropriately for temples. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and you'll need to remove your shoes before entering any building. Most temples have wraps available if you forget, but it's easier to just plan ahead.
Wat Chedi Luang: The Massive Ruin
Walking south from Wat Phra Singh brings you to Wat Chedi Luang, home to a partially ruined chedi (stupa) that once stood nearly 90 meters tall before an earthquake damaged it in the 16th century. Even in its diminished state, it remains one of the most impressive structures in the city.
The grounds are expansive and peaceful, with enormous trees providing shade and various smaller buildings worth exploring. One section of the temple does restrict women from entering, which we found surprising. The posted sign explains it relates to beliefs about menstruation causing "social instability," which is about as medieval as it sounds. We chose to skip that particular building entirely and focused on the many other areas open to everyone.
Admission is around 40 baht for adults with the same height-based free admission for kids.
Taking a Break: Sunday Walking Street (Any Day of the Week)
The road leading away from Tha Phae Gate toward the temples is home to the famous Sunday Walking Street market, but even on non-market days, it's lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. This makes it perfect for a mid-tour break.
We stopped at a small cafe for mango smoothies at 50 baht each, which hit the spot in the midday heat. If you're doing this tour later in the day, this same street transforms into one of Thailand's best night markets every Sunday, with hundreds of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to the best street food in Chiang Mai.
Tha Phae Gate: Pigeons and Photo Ops
Tha Phae Gate is the most famous of the Old Town's five gates and serves as a major landmark for navigation. The brick structure has been rebuilt several times over the centuries but maintains its historic character. The large plaza in front is popular for events, photos, and an absolutely absurd number of pigeons.
Our kids found the pigeon situation hilarious. I found it mildly horrifying. Your mileage may vary depending on your feelings about birds.
Kalarae Night Market: The Main Event
For dinner, we headed to the Kalarae Night Market near Chang Phueak Gate. This is our go-to spot for street food in Chiang Mai because it combines great variety with actual seating, which matters enormously when you're feeding three hungry kids.
The food court setup means everyone can order what they want from different vendors and bring it back to shared tables. This particular evening's haul included:
| Item | Price (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Tofu Pad Thai | 60 |
| Crispy Noodle Pad Thai with Shrimp | 70 |
| Gyoza (6 pieces) | 100 |
| Corn on the cob | 40 |
| Pork ribs | 60 |
| Mango sticky rice | 50 |
| Fresh cut mango | 50 |
| Pineapple | 30 |
| Various drinks | 80 |
Total for a family of five: roughly 540 baht, or about $15 USD.
The market opens around 5pm and stays busy until late evening. We recommend arriving right when things open if you're with kids who need earlier bedtimes, as the crowds do pick up significantly after dark.
Pro tip for parents: We give each of our girls 100 baht to spend on something small at the market. It's enough to buy a treat or small souvenir while teaching them to make decisions about what's worth their money. Backpack-friendly size is the only rule.
Staying Connected: The eSIM Advantage
Having reliable data makes navigating Chiang Mai significantly easier. Google Maps works well for finding temples and restaurants, translation apps help with menu ordering, and uploading photos while the kids are occupied with food means you're not spending your hotel wifi time on logistics.
We use Holafly eSIMs for Thailand. Their unlimited data plans start at $3.90 per day, and the setup takes about five minutes before you leave home. Scan the QR code, activate when you land, and you're connected. No hunting for SIM card shops, no language barrier issues, no running out of data at the worst possible moment.
Use code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off any Holafly Thailand eSIM plan. For trips longer than 30 days, their new monthly global plans starting at $49.90 per month offer even better value.
| Plan Length | Price | Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | $19.85 | $3.97 |
| 10 days | $35.05 | $3.51 |
| 14 days | $47.90 | $3.42 |
| 30 days | $74.90 | $2.50 |
| Monthly Unlimited | $64.90/mo | $2.16 |
Chiang Mai Day Budget Breakdown
Here's what our self-guided walking tour day actually cost for a family of five:
| Expense | Cost (Baht) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Songthaew to Old Town | 100 | $2.80 |
| Temple admission (2 adults, 3 kids free) | 160 | $4.50 |
| Mango smoothies and snacks | 325 | $9.10 |
| Drinks at Orion Bar | 200 | $5.60 |
| Dinner at night market | 540 | $15.10 |
| Songthaew home | 100 | $2.80 |
| Total | 1,425 | $39.90 |
Under $40 for a full day of sightseeing and meals for five people. This is why Chiang Mai remains one of our favorite cities for family travel.
Tips for Families
Start late if possible. Midday heat in Chiang Mai is no joke, especially from March through May. We started around noon and regretted it. A late afternoon start that leads into evening market time is ideal.
Bring water. Seriously. Dehydration sneaks up fast. Every 7-Eleven sells water for 10 baht or less.
Temple fatigue is real. Chiang Mai has over 300 temples. You don't need to see them all. We recommend picking two or three that genuinely interest you and giving yourself permission to skip the rest.
Budget extra for unexpected finds. The night markets always have something irresistible. Food, crafts, toys for the kids, weirdly specific t-shirts. Leave some slack in your budget.
Red trucks are your friends. The songthaew system seems intimidating at first but it's incredibly practical once you get the hang of it. Just tell the driver where you're going and agree on a price before getting in.
Planning Your Own Chiang Mai Adventure
This self-guided walking tour works well for families of any size and can be adjusted based on your interests and energy levels. The key is giving yourself enough time to enjoy the temples without rushing, building in breaks for food and rest, and ending with a market visit when the temperatures drop and the crowds come out.
If you're planning a longer stay in Thailand or a multi-country Asia trip, Lindsay offers custom travel planning services at [email protected]. She's helped dozens of families design itineraries that balance adventure with the realities of traveling with kids.
Watch our full Chiang Mai walking tour video here: https://youtu.be/eJSvtlna3fU
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November through February offers the coolest and most comfortable weather for walking tours. March through May is hot season with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C (95°F). June through October brings monsoon rains but fewer tourists and lower prices.
How much does a day in Chiang Mai cost for a family?
A family of five can explore Chiang Mai's Old Town temples and enjoy street food dinner for under $40 USD. Budget accommodations start around $30 per night, while mid-range options run $50 to $100.
Are Chiang Mai temples free to enter?
Most major temples charge 40 to 50 baht (about $1.50 USD) admission for foreign adults. Children under 135 centimeters typically enter free. Some smaller temples have no admission fee.
How do I get around Chiang Mai Old Town?
Walking works well within the Old Town's square mile. Red songthaew trucks serve as shared taxis and charge 30 to 40 baht per person for short trips. Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber equivalent) also operates in Chiang Mai.
Do I need data or wifi in Chiang Mai?
Having mobile data significantly improves navigation and communication. We recommend getting a Holafly Thailand eSIM with unlimited data before your trip. Use code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off.
Is Chiang Mai good for families with kids?
Chiang Mai is excellent for family travel. The relaxed pace, affordable prices, and abundance of activities make it popular with traveling families. Night markets, elephant sanctuaries, cooking classes, and temple visits all work well with children.
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