Chiang Mai Travel Guide: Night Markets, Jungle Treks & Hidden Gems

Discover Chiang Mai’s best night markets, budget stays & jungle treks. Follow my backpacking journey & find hidden gems, travel tips & ethical elephant experiences!

First Impressions: A New City Awaits

Arriving in Chiang Mai, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had fallen in love with Bangkok’s vibrant energy, and now I was in Thailand’s northern capital—a place known for its night markets, jungle treks, and rich Buddhist culture. Would it capture me in the same way? I bought the lonely book befor arriving in Thailand which was very helpful ! Lonely planet Chiang Mai 

Being in a Buddhist country, I found myself drawn to learning and practicing Buddhist teachings, particularly the art of detachment. It’s something I’ve struggled with—letting go has never come easily to me. But backpacking forces you into it. Just as you start to settle in, find your favorite local eatery, and form friendships, it’s already time to leave.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai on a budget

A Warm Welcome at Libra Guesthouse

Luckily, I landed in the perfect place to begin my Chiang Mai adventure—Libra Guesthouse , a family-run haven owned by two sisters, Dao and Pui.

Pui, a small woman with a huge smile, welcomed Charlie and I as if we were old friends. She sat us down with a map of the old town, patiently guiding us through the best night markets, temples, and hidden gems. We had unknowingly arrived during the Lunar New Year, and Pui excitedly pointed out the parades and Chinese markets happening that evening.

Fellow budget travelers looking for cheap places to stay in Chiang Mai dream of guesthouses like this. For just 450 baht (£10) a night, we had:

✔ A spacious room with a private bathroom

✔ Air conditioning to escape the heat

✔ A swimming pool to cool off

✔ Unlimited free drinking water, plus electrolyte sachets—a lifesaver in the Thai sun

The guesthouse itself carried deep history. Dao told us that it had been passed down through generations of her family, and to honor their ancestors, they had built three spirit houses on the property. Each shrine was beautifully adorned with flowers, garlands, food, drinks, and small figurines—offerings to the spirits, who, in return, protect the home.

The Magic of Chiang Mai’s Night Markets

If I had to pick just one highlight, it would be the night markets in Chiang Mai – a maze of colors, sounds, and mouth watering street food. Walking through one, you’d turn left and stumble into another. A few more steps, a right turn, and suddenly, you were in yet another market. Each one had its own character, its own unique charm.

The Lanna people of Northern Thailand are especially creative, and many locals proudly displayed their handcrafted goods. We met an incredibly talented artist who painted vivid, lifelike koi fish. His work caught Charlie’s and my attention, and after chatting for a while, we exchanged Facebook contacts.

That night, there was a local election, meaning alcohol sales were banned in stores, bars, and restaurants. Or so we thought. As we wandered through the markets, we found a hidden bar buzzing with people quietly sipping on beers. It felt like we had stepped into a secret little bubble, a place where time paused, and rules were bent just enough to keep the night alive.

Trekking into the Heart of the Jungle

One of the most unforgettable experiences in Chiang Mai was trekking into the jungle to stay with the Karen hill tribe Chiang mai jungle trek .

The husband of one of the guesthouse owners, was a Karen tribesman himself, and his family still lived in the mountains. Libra Guesthouse organized trekking tours to visit them, and after hearing glowing reviews from other travelers, Charlie and I knew we had to go.

We left early in the morning, joining a small group of fellow adventurers: Jojo and Nikol, a German couple in their 50s, and Cassie, a solo traveler from Miami. Our guide, Pilly, was also a Karen tribesman—he had grown up in the village and still lived there.

The drive out of the city felt like a journey back in time. Bustling streets gave way to lush greenery, winding mountain roads, and endless jungle canopy. Our first stop was Mok Fa Waterfall—a magnificent cascade of pure, rushing water. Standing beneath it, I felt its raw power, the cool mist on my skin a welcome relief from the heat. In Thai, they call it Swoy Ma – very beautiful.

From there, we left behind the van, our phone service, and all sense of modern life, trekking deep into the jungle. The trail twisted through thick bamboo forests, steep inclines, and winding dirt paths that Pilly jokingly called “Baby Mountain”—a phrase we repeated every time the hike got tough. At one point, he stopped by a small hole in the ground.

“Tarantula nest,” he said casually, poking a stick inside.

A few moments later, a massive black spider emerged. My feet instinctively moved backward—I was more than happy to admire it from a distance.

After a few hours, we finally arrived at the Karen village. The sun bathed the valley in golden light, illuminating the bamboo huts, rolling hills, and pristine grasslands. But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw next.

Two elephants stood waiting in the distance.

Ethical Elephant Experience

Pilly hadn’t mentioned that we’d be meeting elephants right away, and the unexpected sight of them took my breath away. It was a moment straight out of a dream.

We later learned that the two elephants, Jara (50 years old) and Shay (47 years old), were sisters. Unlike many so-called “ethical” sanctuaries that exploit elephants, the Karen people truly respected and cared for them. The elephants were semi-wild, spending most of their time roaming freely in the jungle. They returned to the village when they wanted food, knowing that visitors like us would bring them delicious mangoes.

Pilly introduced us to his friend, a Mahout (elephant caretaker) who had been looking after the elephants for seven years. For him, this was a lifelong commitment. Watching him interact with the elephants was mesmerizing—his bond with them was deep, built on mutual trust.

We spent the evening walking through the jungle, feeding the elephants, and watching them navigate the dense forest with effortless grace. They were true queens of the jungle, their massive frames moving with quiet confidence.

A Night by the Fire

As night fell, we gathered around a crackling fire, sipping on homemade rice whiskey and swapping stories.

Jojo, a music therapist, pulled out a guitar, and as soon as he played the first chords of “Country Roads”, we all sang along—proof that some songs transcend all language barriers. Even when a guitar string snapped, a skilled tribal man quickly carved a replacement using his knife and a piece of bamboo.

The night carried on with laughter, music, and the warm glow of flickering flames. Pilly sang us a traditional Thai folk song, his voice blending into the jungle night.

Reflections on Chiang Mai

That night, as I lay beneath a sky full of stars, I felt something shift inside me.

Chiang Mai has offered me so much more than just beautiful temples and lively markets. It has given me moments of deep connection—to the people, the land, and myself. I had learned the beauty of slowing down, of embracing new experiences, of letting go.

And maybe, just maybe, I had taken my first real step toward mastering detachment.