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Free things to do in Chiang Mai

6 places in Chiang Mai with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Free things to do in Chiang Mai

  1. See

    Chiang Mai University Art Museum

    There are exhibitions by undergraduates from the Fine Arts Department at Chiang Mai University. These change often and the work on display is of high quality. Each month there is usually at least one art exhibition featuring the works of artists from Southeast Asia. The museum also hosts musical concerts, often free, in the adjoining theatre.

    Tue-Sun 09:00–17:00Free

  2. See

    Kalm Village

    Community culture space that often hosts workshops like mini loom weaving or meditation.

    Free

  3. Do

    Mae Jo Lantern Release

    A huge lantern release (it is often referred to as the 10,000 lantern release, but there are not as many as that) happens near Mae Jo University on the Saturday before Loi Krathong,. The DMC Buddhist Sect puts this on and though it is billed as "for local people" this event has no connection with Chiang Mai or Lanna events, and is not promoted by local government officials nor included in their program. The lantern release takes place at the end of a ceremony that begins at 18:30, with the release at 20:00. The event is free of charge, but respectful attire is required and alcohol is forbidden. A tourist-targeted event (which costs about 3,000 baht) occurs in the same location on the following weekend.

  4. Drink

    The Moat House

    John's Place

    Rock and blues bands in the downstairs bar and a chilled out rooftop bar above. Long list of cocktails, beers and wines.

    Wed-Sun 14:00-00:00Free entry

  5. See

    The Treasury Museum Chiang Mai

    พิพิธภัณฑ์ธนารักษ์ จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

    One of two money museums in Thailand, focused on northern Thailand, run by government treasury department, in a heritage building. It is small: plan 1 hr to see, need to take off shoes.

    Tue-Fri 09:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00; Sat Sun 10:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00Free

  6. See

    Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum

    Museum of stamps and postal related objects.

    Tue-Sun 08:30–16:30Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Chiang Mai (CC BY-SA 4.0).