8 Best Things To Do In Mae Taeng, Thailand - Updated 2024

1. Wat Ban Den Temple – a remarkable Thai Temple

Located in the Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai, Wat Ban Den is one of the most remarkable temples and its beauty and unusual structure attract a large number of tourists round the year. The new Abbot of Wat Ban Den was set out in the year 1988 for creating the most beautiful Thai temple in the area.

Wat Ban Den Temple looks amazingly gorgeous because it is built with teakwood and granite tiles. The complex here comprises of large structures including a viharn, a meditation hall, an ordination hall, the living quarters for monks, Inthakin Pillar, a drum hall and other places for various purposes. The complex consists of 12 chedis and the majority of the temple’s structures are guarded by large-shaped mythical Naga serpents on both the sides of the stairs. Here you will surely be attracted to see that the temple structures are all built in traditional designs despite being completed more than two decades back.

Wat Ban Den Temple

Address: Inthakhin, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand

Contact: +66 813450780

2. Thai Elephant Home offers overwhelming elephant rides

Thai Elephant Home is always worth visiting and should be a part of your itinerary whenever you visit Mae Taeng. This home was founded in 2006 with just one elephant. Now, this is the home to 20 elephants (14 elephants are kept at the main camp and 6 at the nursery). The objective of Thai Elephant Home is to offer a safe caring environment for rescued elephants and augment the number of Asian elephants through the breeding program. The tourists can take a ride but only one guest per elephant is allowed. Each elephant has its own individual mahout also to take care of the animal. You can have a long stay here if you wish.

The Thai Elephant Home is also engaged in other social work, such as they provide educational scholarships for underprivileged hill tribe youths to get their university degrees. They are also engaged in reforestation efforts in the district.

Thai Elephant Home

Address: 102 Moo. 2 Kuedchang, Maetang, Chiang Mai, 50150 Thailand

Website: Thai Elephant Home

3. Mae Ngat Dam floating houses – enjoy the ecstasy of living in the mid-lake

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Mae Ngat Dam floating houses have always been perfect for new married couples or family members. You can select the Thai-style floating bungalows and spend days and nights on a freshwater lake. The tranquil ambiance in the middle of the lake not only inspires you to capture the nature through lenses, your body and mind tend to completely free from all exhaustions. You can also go boating wearing safety jackets or opt for tanning your skin and relaxing on the deck. You can jump into the water from the deck or if you have a stronger heart you may prefer to climb a higher platform and jump from greater heights.

You can satiate your gastronomical urge by having various Thai cuisines, fried chicken wings, German-styled potato salad or even drinking beer. The floating houses supply facilities like Wi-Fi connectivity, metal and ceramic grills (starters and charcoal), large coolers, cooking utensils, condiments, fresh towels and toilet paper, etc.

Mae Ngat Dam Floating Houses

Address: Unnamed Rd, Ban Pao, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand

4. Si Lanna National Park

Si Lanna National Park is spread across forested and mountain terrain in Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province. It is not only a beautiful home to caves, waterfalls and springs, you will find it provides the water to multiple tributaries of the Ping River. It won’t take much time for you to travel to Si Lanna National Park.

You should never miss visiting Si Lanna National Park as it was designated as Thailand’s 60th National Park on August 1, 1989. You should also visit the highest point named Doi Chom Hot peak (5,636 ft or 1,718 meters). Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Reservoir is located inside the park where a multi-purpose hydroelectric dam is manufactured. The forest has various animal species including barking deer, serow, wild boar and tigers.

Si Lanna National Park

Address: Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Contact: +66 811531503

5. Become a wildlife photographer at Huai Nam Dang National Park

Huai Nam Dang National Park offers popular mountain viewpoints, hill tribe villages, streaming hot springs and waterfalls. It is one of the largest national parks in Northern Thailand. It is also home to wild animals like tigers, bears, elephants, porcupines, wild boar, mongoose, deer, etc., including various species of birds like green pigeon, hill myna, vernal hanging parrot, black bulbul, ashy bulbul, and et al.

The main viewpoints at Huai Nam Dang National Park for the nature lovers are Doi Kio Lom and Doi Chang. You can enjoy full rafting facilities here at Mae Taeng River but be careful because of the large boulders. Beautiful waterfalls like Huai Nam Dang Waterfall, Mae Yen Waterfall, and Mae Lat Waterfall are the major attractions in this national park.

Huai Nam Dang National Park

Address: Kuet Chang, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand

Contact: +66 53248491

6. Pong Dueat Geyser or Pong Dueat Hot Springs

Pong Dueat Geyser (aka Pong Dueat Hot Springs) is located between Chiang Mai and Pai on the route no. 1095. The natural view is unique here because Pong Dueat is unlike other hot springs. You will get to see a geyser (a forceful fountain spouts out of the soil) which has a very high pressure and temperature. It is located inside the Huai Nam Dang National Park.

Pong Dueat Geyser

Address: Charoen Prathet Road, Chang Khlan, 50100 Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand

7. Get martial arts tips at Muay Thai Sangha

Muay Thai Sangha is mainly attractive for those tourists who are fond of martial arts. This institution offers worldwide-specialized courses on South-East Asian martial arts training. You can get a detailed overview on the training process provided by the institution and the best part of it is that online courses are offered here and you can learn the techniques from anywhere.

Muay Thai Sangha

Address: 89 Moo 5 San Mahaphon, Mae Taeng 50150, Thailand

Contact: +66 861177021

8. Chiang Mai Zipline Adventures (from USD 28.25)

Zipline Adventure is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Chiang Mai. The majority of the tourists from Thailand and other parts of the world consider it as a must-do activity and perform ziplining with utmost passion. The activities are performed by the application of international standard pieces of equipment that are regularly scrutinized and maintained by all the renowned service providers. Lunch and drinks are involved in some typical zipline packages.

There are several zipline centers in Chiang Mai. Those are Flight of the Gibbon, Jungle Flight, Eagle Track Zipline, Flying Squirrels, Zipline Adventure, Pongyang Zipline & Jungle Coaster and Zipline Chiang Mai. You can visit their respective websites to check their rates and other offerings.

Jungle Flight (offers Zipline Adventure)

Address: 47/2 Mun Mueang Rd, Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Contact: +66 53208666

Zipline Adventure in Chiang Mai, Thailand - Klook

Duration: 1hrs30 Min Duration

from USD

28.25

View Deal

Fun in abundance in Mae Taeng

So, what are you waiting for? Now it’s time for you to take a hiatus from your profession, pack your bags and move out for a brilliant experience in Mae Taeng and its nearby locations. Don’t forget the locations suggested by us and you are always welcome to send your feedback in the comment box below.