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Chiang Mai Zoo & Aquarium

A large park with over 400 species of animals, extremely popular with Thai tourists, and long queues may be encountered during Thai holidays. While better than some zoos, many animals are nevertheless kept in small enclosures. The zoo operates a dual pricing system wherein non-Thais are charged approximately double the price of Thai nationals. Additional charges are applied for the aquarium. Many of the animals can be fed for a charge of 10 or 20 baht. The park is pretty large, and expect plenty of hills if you want to walk the complete route, so taking the "tram," which is an open-air cart, is a faster and more convenient way to get around, though the last tram starts at 16:30. It's possible to drive through with your car, and there are parking spots next to the animal exhibits. If you have a rental scooter or bike, definitely bring it though. The zoo closes at 17:00, but many visitors wander to the exit gate well past closing time.

Address: 100 Huay Kaew Rd
Getting there: at the foot of Doi Suthep
Hours: Daily 09:00-17:00
Price: Zoo Ticket 350 baht for adults, 120 baht for children; Aquarium Ticket 450 baht for adults, 350 baht for children; as of December 2025 Panda House Tickets are not available
Website: chiangmaizoo.com (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Chiang Mai, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Do
Huay Kaew Waterfall and Natural Pools
At the foot of Doi Suthep on Huay Kaew Rd. Look for a large Buddhist shrine (Kruba Srivichai Monument) on your left after travelling past the entrance to Chiang Mai Zoo. Turn left into the market at the back of the shrine, and keep walking up the hill. You will come to the waterfalls after about 5 minutes. The pools at the bottom of the waterfalls are not really big enough for swimming, but are a great place to cool off at the height of summer. During the dry season some of the waterfalls dry up. Head for the high ground and you will still find pools full of fresh water. There are usually quite a few students hanging out there from the nearby university, who will happily practice their English conversational skills with you.
100 baht
Buy
Malin Plaza Night Market
If the Night Bazaar is the place tourists go at night, Malin Plaza is where young Thais go. Its proximity to มช ("maw chaw", the local nickname for CMU) means that in the evening this place is crawling with teens and twenty-somethings. Clothing is young, trendy and cheap. Cheap restaurants abound, including a number of all-you-can-eat table-top barbecues.
About 18:00-
Do
Monk's Trail
A popular jungle hiking route through the forest to Wat Pha Lat and continuing up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Take a red songthaew to Chiang Mai University or Chiang Mai Zoo. Alternatively, you can also take a red sogthaew to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and begin your hike in the reversed direction. The route to Wat Pha Lat is considered easy to moderate (about 1 hr) and the route from Wat Pha Lat to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep inclines steeper (about 1½ hr). Dress properly or bring a carf to cover shoulders and knees since the route passes through temples. About 280 m before reaching What Pha Lat, there is a three way intersection, where there is a sign of an alternative route to an abandoned temple Wat Anagami. This 500-m route is more challenging but there is ropes helping you to climb. Also prepare yourself to cross one unbridged small stream via walking on the stones. From Wat Anagami you can return through the original route to continue your hike to Wat Pha Lat or try to catch a songthaew passing by and go back to city. Note that because almost no one comes to Wat Anagami so the songthaew usually will not stop there and you need to catch the driver's attention alongside the road. Best time to hike is morning, to avoid heat and increase the chance of encountering monks on the trail. If you want to skip the hefty fee, just walk in the opposite direction, or just use any of the two trails further south (see OSM), which will however probably have less sights on their way.
100 baht
See
Wat Pha Lat
Some buildings at the road, but turn left to go down to the actual temple. Nice views from the temple. The monk trail passes through the temple grounds.