Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand, and there is much to see and explore beyond the old city walls. It’s surrounded by stunning mountain ranges filled with thick rainforests, waterfalls, hot springs, botanical gardens, wild animals and hill tribes. If you’re planning a visit up north, you should consider a Chiang Mai care rental to help you explore the area’s expansive list of must-visit places with ease and comfort. Please read on to discover five excellent places that you won’t want to miss on your road trip.

Wat Umong

Wat Umong is one of the most unique temples you’re ever likely to visit anywhere in the world. What makes it special is that at least part of it is built inside a cave. This temple lies at the foothills of Doi Suthep (20 minutes west of town), the huge mountain that sits just outside of Chiang Mai. Entry into the temple grounds is free, but if you want to visit the tunnel section (which is a must), you'll need to pay a small fee. Originally built in 1297 by King Manglai of the Lan Na Dynasty, it was abandoned in the late 15th century and then restored and reopened to the public in 1948.

Baan Mae Kampong

Baan Mae Kampong is a serene local village located in the mountains about 50 minutes east of Chiang Mai. The village has a lineage dating back over 100 years, with most of its inhabitants having migrated here from the Doi Saket District (north of Chiang Rai). Here you will find picture postcard traditional wooden houses lining the streets; Mae Kampong Waterfall; Wat Mae Kampong; and several nice cafes. This is an awesome place to try the district’s most famous dish: Khao Soi, creamy soup with a slow-cooked chicken leg, topped with crunchy noodles and pickled onion.

Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens

This delightful garden situated in the mountains approximately 30 minutes west of downtown Chiang Mai is one of the city’s most beloved attractions. The expansive garden is home to Thailand’s largest collection of flowers and plants. Spread over its 6,5000 acres, you will find greenhouses with orchids, cacti, indoor jungles, water features and an impressive 400-meter long suspended canopy walkway (closed when it’s raining for safety reasons). If you don’t fancy walking on foot, there is a free shuttle bus around the gardens.

Doi Inthanon

At 2,565 meters above sea level, Doi Inthanon (aka the ‘Roof of Thailand’) is the highest mountain peak in Thailand. Near the top, you’ll find several beautiful pagodas with great views out across the mountain ranges. Further up the peak, there are a few short hiking trails that take you through the lush forest. If you need to cool off or require a quaint picnic spot, head to one of two waterfalls: Mae Ya and Wachirathan. It takes about two hours one-way to get from Chiang Mai to the peak of Doi Inthanon.

Flight of the Gibbon

For something a little different, why not take to the trees and fly like Tarzan! Flight of the Gibbon is an award-winning adrenaline adventure for people of all ages. This adventure park is home to Asia’s tallest zipline –70 meters above the ground. The impressive course features 7 kilometers of ziplines with 33 independent stations. Beyond having the time of your life, you’ll also be helping to rehabilitate gibbons and hornbills as this is a social conservation enterprise. Visitors typically spend 2 hours on the ziplines, and the attraction lies approx. 70 minutes from the city.