Chiang Mai is not just the city of temples. It has more than just ancient ruins and mountains to offer. In fact, this ancient city has 7 universities in it. Thus, contributing for a vibrant and exuberating lifestyle for youths.

If you are wondering what all these youths are doing in Chiang Mai, check out the below list to join them in their lifestyle:

Check out cool cafes

Whether it is a local Thai or Farang (Thai word for foreigner mainly referring to a Westerner) person in Chiang Mai, we all share one hobby: Check out cool cafes. If you do not know already, Chiang Mai is known to be the best coffee culture city in Thailand. Chiang Mai is one city that you can find a cafe almost every 50 meters or so especially in Nimmanheimin Road.

It seems almost every Thai student here enjoys photography. Every cafe in Chiang Mai has a theme to it. They make amazing photography backgrounds for instagram influencers or even wedding photos. Some of the most beautiful cafes that can be found in Nimman are Barisotel (Soi 9), Rustic and Blue (Soi 7), Libarista (Soi 5) and Cotto Studio (Soi 4).

If you are a coffee addict and requires a cup of good quality coffee, my suggestion is for you to visit Ristr8to Coffee on Nimman Soi 3. They have a wide range of coffee from local plantations and imported coffee beans. 2 other cafes that offers excellent coffee will be Nitro Cafe Chiang Mai next to Punspace (a co-working space) on Soi 13 of Siri Mangkalajarn and Brew Fact located on Soi 7 Siri Mangkalajarn.

However, the top vote goes to Nat Wat Cafe Home which is located approximately 15 minutes car or scooter ride away from Nimmanheimin. Nat Wat’s coffee is often compared to be the best by Westerners living in Chiang Mai. Another plus point for them is that they offer delicious healthy breakfast and lunch meals too. It may be far but it is totally worth it!

Eat delicious northern and north-eastern style cuisine

Chiang Mai is the home of the Lanna people and they have delicious cuisines that one must try!

Lanna food is a mixture of Burmese, Laos, Vietnamese and Thai style cuisine as the Lanna Kingdom was once a stronghold for all these countries.

Recommended dishes:

• Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiaw (brown broth pork/beef noodles)
• Sai Oua (northern pork sausage)
• Gang Hunlay (Burmese style yellow curry with ginger and meat)
• Kao Soi (Northern Yellow Egg Noodle Curry)

Recommended restaurants:

• Kao Soi Yun Yai (north of old town)
• Kinlum Kindee (Nimman Soi 11)
• Tong Tem Toh (Nimman Soi 13)
• Huen Jai Yong (30 minutes away from Old Town)
• Huen Phen (near Wat Chedi Luang)

Other than Lanna food, Isan cuisine which is Northeastern style cooking is a must try here as well. Both Lanna and Isan food is not the same. 2 of the most prominent ingredient in any Isan meal will be sticky rice and chilli peppers.

Recommended dishes:

• Kor Muu Yang (Grilled pork neck)
• Larb and Nam Tok (Larb is made with ground meat. Nam Tok is made with sliced grilled meat. They are similar by sharing the same spicy lime sauce)
• Gai Yang (BBQ chicken)
• Isan sausage (pork and sticky rice sausage)

If you are here during winter, you will have to try the Thai BBQ grill or hot pot that can be found all over Chiang Mai city as the temperature drops to 10 Celcius even in the day! Thai BBQ grill will be your best choice for dinner. Prices range as low as 99 baht-350 baht per person for a BBQ buffet.

Taking day trips out of Chiang Mai city

Chiang Mai is full of fun things to do such as hiking up the Monk Trail for sunset to a meditation retreat camp and Wat Pha Lat. However, it is common for youths living here to take day trips out of Chiang Mai city. It is super easy to do a day trip out of Chiang Mai city without needing to stay out of Chiang Mai city itself.

If you have an international license, the most cost efficient way to visit attractions out of the city is by car or bike. Hiring a song thau for a day trip will usually cost 1400-2000 baht for a total 6-8 hours trip. Most of the day trips take about 1-2 hours driving to reach. It is best to speak to your hotel reception in regards to day trips and check if they have any recommended tours.

Some of the best day trips are:

• Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls (Unique waterfall that you can hike)
• Doi Suthep National Park (including Doi Pui)
• Doi Inthanon (Highest peak in Thailand)
• San Kamphaeng (Zip lining at Flight of the Gibbon; and, hot springs)
• Mae Sa Waterfalls (near Doi Suthep)
• Mae Wang Bamboo Rafting
• Chiang Dao Caves

Watch Muay Thai fights

Your Chiang Mai trip will be incomplete without watching a Muay Thai fight. There are 3 Muay Thai stadiums that you can choose to watch the fights from: Thapae Stadium, Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium and Kalare Boxing Stadium. These stadiums charge 400 baht for normal seats and 600 baht for VIP seats (include free drinks, snacks and song thaw pick up service).

If you are picky on the fights, I will suggest for you to check out the fight cards with locals first. Neither one of these stadiums are more authentic than the other. Sometimes fights are being fixated and yet, sometimes there can be really good authentic muay thai fights. There is no guarantee as to what you will be viewing unless you check with a local muay thai enthusiast.

Pamper your body with different massages

After all the walking around that you have been doing, you will indefinitely want to pamper your body with massage. In Chiang Mai, you can find all kinds of massage and prices range from 150 baht-1500 baht. Even 150 baht massages are decent here.

One unique place to get your foot massage is the Women's Massage Center By Ex-Prisoner.  Support ex-prisoners to turn into a new leaf by getting a massage here. Prices are similar to normal massages shops. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.

Monk Chat and Temple Hopping

Chiang Mai is definitely the city of temples. There is no reason for you to not go temple hopping once you are here. Both locals and farangs enjoy visiting temples here daily.

Must visit temples:

• Wat Chedi Luang (oldest temple in Chiang Mai)
• Wat Umong (600 years old temple that’s well hidden and tranquil)
• Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (grandest temple on Doi Suthep)
• Wat Suan Dok (Chiang Mai’s white temple)
• Wat Phra Singh (Bestowed to be a first class temple)

If you are interested to learn more about Buddhism or Thai culture, speaking to a monk will be the great way to do so. There are English speaking monks available at Wat Chedi Luang or Wat Suandok for some monk chat. Another better alternative is to contact Monk Chat to make an appointment to avoid disappointment if you go on your own.

Visit night markets

Chiang Mai city is filled with night markets. Some of the famous night markets for visitors will be the Saturday Night Market (Southern entrance of the Old City) and Sunday Night Market (in Old City near Thapae Gate)

However, if you would like to visit a less touristy night market, head over to Chiang Mai Complex. This complex is an open air night market on Huay Keaw Road. As it is located right opposite the university, do expect it to be crowded with university students.

This night market offers you not just a wide range of cheap clothes, handmade items but also really cheap delicacies as there are 2 food courts located within.

Indulge in a Thai Cooking Class

If you love Thai food, why not learn to cook it? Go on a full day food tour and cooking class for about 800-1500 baht. Prices range based on the menu that you choose.

Recommended places for cooking class:

• Khroua Baan Thai
• Thai Farm Cooking Class
• Basil Cookery Class
• A Lot Of Thai: Home Cooking Class
• Scenic Asia Thai Cooking School
• Thai Secret Cooking School

Cook and eat till your heart’s content -- Probably the best way to enjoy Chiang Mai!