10 Things To Do In Mae Rim, Thailand

Kathy
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
things to do in mae rim

Mae Rim is located in the Chiang Mai district of Thailand and is increasingly becoming recognized for its stunning and natural beauty. You will enjoy visiting majestic mountains, beautiful waterfalls, and other attractions. Just imagine staying in a farm stay with a purpose, and having access to eco-friendly tours and animal rehabilitation centers. Visitors from all over the world choose Mae Rim and the Chiang Mai district because of the elegance and serenity of this beautiful location. It also has plenty of options of accommodations such as comfortable vacation rentals, the best hostels, or luxurious hotels. If you find yourself in this stunning region of the country, use this handy list as your guide to the best things to do in Mae Rim, Thailand!

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1. Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Doi Pui mountains, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Vyacheslav Argenberg used under CC BY 4.0

You should include a visit to this park in your trip to Thailand itinerary. The park is named after the two mountains that are within the park; Doi Suthep and Doi Pui. Marvel at the approximately 2000 species of plants or catch a glimpse of the nearly 360 species of birds that have made the forests within the park their home. There are also many mammals in the park, including a rare type of canid, the Dhole, which is a wild dog.

There are also various trails in the park, most of which requires guides to avoid getting lost. However, you can also visit one of its popular attractions, such as Doi Suthep Temple, Bubhing Palace, and the Mok Fa Waterfall.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Address: RW48+RC4, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Website: Doi Suthep-Pui National Parkn

Opening hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (daily)

Price: Adults: 100 THB (2.85 USD) Children: 50 THB (1.42 USD)

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2. Mon Jam (Mon Cham)

Resorts in Mon Jaem
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Krittth used under CC BY-SA 4.0

One of the best things to do in Thailand is to make sure you see Mon Jam. Mon Jam offers stunning views of the sunrise, sunset, and majestic Doi Luang Chiang Dao. For miles and miles, all you see is beauty with the flower fields and the terrace farm just below. While enjoying the view, taste the Arabica coffee served at the nearby cafe with homemade pastries. The place is currently an agricultural center focusing on cold-weather fruits and vegetables.

Mon Jam (Mon Cham)

Address: Mae Raem, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Website: Mon Jam

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

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3. Dara Pirom Palace Museum

Images are currently unavailable.

A museum in beautiful Mae Rim, the Dara Pirom Palace is a 19th-century palace from the last princess of the Lanna Kingdom. Dara Rasmee lived out her days in this culturally stunning architectural landmark and it has been preserved for visitors to catch a glimpse of how Thai royalty lived in that era.

The museum is a fond place to remember the princess, as she was a true advocate for public health, education and agriculture and she genuinely cared about the well-being of the people of Chiang Mai.

Dara Pirom Palace Museum

Address: Dara Pirom Palace Museum, Chulalongkorn Umiersity, Amphur Mae Rim, Chiang Mai

Website: Dara Pirom Palace

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4. Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary

Elephants in mudumalai national park and wild life sanctuary
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Blessy 23 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

This elephant sanctuary is located just outside of Chiang Mai and is an unforgettable environment where elephants are “Loved and Respected”. The elephants roam free in a beautiful, safe and natural environment, offering visitors an opportunity to see them as they are truly meant to live.

Visitor options are half-day mornings, half-day afternoons or full day visits, where you can feed the elephants, walk with them through their natural forest habitat and ultimately enjoy the surreal experience of bathing the elephants in a mud bath!

Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary

Address: 31 Moo. 8 T. Keelek, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180

Website: Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary

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5. Mae Sa Waterfalls

MAE SA WATERFALL
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Iscreams used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Mae Sa Waterfalls are worth the trip over windy roads to get here. There are 10 waterfalls in total and each has its own viewing platform. Visitors will also find natural pools next to the waterfalls for swimming, however, it’s important to note that the pools are deceivingly deep and can have a steep drop, so be sure to take precautions!

The falls are a great place to bring a picnic but, if you prefer, you will find a nice selection of food stalls. The waterfalls are set within a jungle, and a walk along the paths is truly a refreshing experience! The rainy season produces stronger currents and more dramatic falls, but one thing is certain, it is great all year round!

Mae Sa Waterfalls

Address: Highway 1096, Tambon Mae Rim, Amphoe Mae Rim, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Website:

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6. Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden

Posted by สวนพฤกษศาสตร์สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ on Saturday, 6 January 2018

This Botanical Garden was named after the Queen of Thailand and hsould definitely be in your list when visiting Thailand. The gardens host various glass houses with incredible tropical plants and trees. Inside one of the buildings, visitors will find a replicated tropical rainforest and another building houses beautiful desert plants. The grounds are absolutely lovely and the trails are very serene to walk through!

Travel is definitely about people and the culture but sometimes it’s also about the nature that is all around and Sirikit Botanical Garden is a true pleasure to experience.

Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden

Address: National park in Pong Yaeng, Thailand

Website: Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden

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7. Tiger Kingdom

Tiger Kingdom
Source: Photo by Flickr user Maxim B. used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Tiger Kingdom is a popular place for tourists that would like to see how tigers live, up close and personal. Tiger Kingdom is a wildlife preservation facility that takes proceeds from visitors to help increase the tiger population and to protect the species from extinction. The tigers here are less aggressive, apparently due to their diet of chicken and milk.

Tiger Kingdom

Address: 51/1 Moo 7, Rim Tai, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Website: Tiger Kingdom

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8. Wat Pa Dara Phirom Temple

Wat Pa Dara Phirom DSCN5659a
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user FredTC used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This particular Buddhist temple is said to be one of the best temples in all of Thailand. The intricate and ornately decorated buildings have incredible detail and the grounds are very tranquil and a pleasure to walk through. The Wat Pa Dara Phirom Temple is not at all touristy and visitors will be greeted warmly by the locals.

Visitors will have a true sense of culture here and it would almost be a shame to miss this incredible place. It is very close to the Mae Rim Market and easy enough to arrange transportation.

Wat Pa Dara Phirom Temple

Address: Rim Tai, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Website: Wat Pa Daraphirom Temple

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9. Eagle Track Zipline

Posted by Eagle Track Zipline on Friday, 7 December 2012

Adventure is definitely on the agenda at the Eagle Track Zipline! The guides are very knowledgeable and extremely safety conscious, yet very friendly! The venue received a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, not only for their fantastic ziplines but for the friendly and super fun hosts and guides.

The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking, so much so that one who is afraid of heights might even forget how high up they are! This is the perfect location for a zipline adventure and is one of the most famous things to do in Thailand!

Eagle Track Zipline

Address: 41/1 Mae Raem, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Website: Eagle Track Zipline

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10. Mon Cham Hilltop View Restaurant

Chiang Mai Mon Cham Loop
Source: Viator

This incredible restaurant is home to perhaps some of the most breathtaking views in the Mae Rim district. The cuisine at Mon Cham is fresh and delicious with their own gardens on site. If you have the opportunity, you can enjoy the stunning views here while enjoying traditional Thai food.

The restaurant is well worth the windy road up to the top and the views are very photographic! Mon Cham also offers accommodations and comes well recommended.

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Visit the beautiful district of Mae Rim in Chiang Mai province

Thailand is full of exotic beauty, architecture, food and welcoming people. Mae Rim is one of the most breathtaking and lovely places to visit in all of Thailand. The culture is genuine and you won’t find a touristy vibe here, as you are greeted with a sense of how this part of the Chiang Mai Province truly lives, day to day.

This district offers waterfalls, nature, adventure and, of course, stunning temples, that not only are exquisitely beautiful but also provide one with a true understanding of the culture of Thailand.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Mae Rim, Thailand


  • Which historical places can tourists visit in Mae Rim?

    When it comes to enlightening historical attractions, very few beats visiting a museum. You can visit the Dara Pirom Palace Museum, which is a 19th-century palace from the last princess of the Lanna Kingdom. Get a glimpse of how royals live!

  • What are some fun things to do for families in Mae Rim?

    There’s something for every member of the family in Mae Rim! There’s Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, which features a host of natural wonders all in one gigantic park. Or, you could go for a more thrilling adventure such as trying the Eagle Track Zipline.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Kathy is an avid solo traveller from Vancouver, BC. She has enjoyed being a travel writer for the past 10 years. As a former flight attendant, she has had the opportunity to visit many amazing...Read more

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