Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand is a city of culture and history, of culinary delights and amazing shopping, and surrounded by rainforest clad mountains full of waterfalls and minority villages, perfect for adventure and cultural immersion. As such, Chiang Mai is a popular spot for tourists, and while the more popular sights and attractions are well worth visiting, they can get rather crowded with tour groups and camera clicking travellers. Chiang Mai has a variety of hidden gems where you can escape the crowds of the busy attractions, where you can enjoy a moment to yourself in a secluded temple, or dine with the locals in a traditional Thai eatery. Check out these seven hidden gems when you visit Chiang Mai.

Wat Monthian

There are hundreds of Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai, but surprisingly, only a handful of them draw in all of the tourists. One lesser visited temple to check out in the Old City is Wat Monthian. This red and gold coloured temple is elaborately decorated and will certainly catch your eye as you walk along the northern part of the ring road that surrounds Chiang Mai’s Old City. A huge Buddha looks out from one side of the temple, and stairs lead up to the stunning Viharn (main shrine). You won’t have to worry about tourist crowds here, and you might only have to share the temple with a saffron robed monk or two.

Barnakarn Kitchen

One of the true delights of Chiang Mai is its excellent local Thai cuisine. The Northern Thai food is a little spicier than the south and you will notice the difference if you eat at a traditional Thai eatery. Located near Sompet Market in the Old City, Barnakarn Kitchen is an excellent choice that is popular with locals and the odd expat or lone traveller that might be passing by. All food is cooked in the cart out the front and tables are set up along the footpath and inside the small dining area. Food is all traditional Thai, mouth-wateringly delicious and super cheap. Don’t let the price-tag turn you off; the food here is excellent, hygienically prepared, and they have menus in English to make it easy for you to order.

Jing Jai Market

Chiang Mai has several amazing markets to check out for unique buys, food and entertainment. The more popular markets are the Saturday and Sunday night walking markets as well as the Night Bazaar. These are always very busy and popular spots. For a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, head to Jing Jai Market, just north of the Old City. This market has a relaxed and arty feel to it, with a collection of trendy cafes to sit and enjoy a coffee. On Saturday or Sunday mornings, locals come here to sell fresh produce and handicrafts, so you can find some excellent art pieces here.

Terracotta Arts Garden

Located near Chiang Mai Gate in the Old City, the Terracotta Arts Garden is a true hidden gem in Chiang Mai. Upon entering the garden, you will feel like you have stumbled upon some secret, ancient place right in the heart of the city. The garden is filled with stunning terracotta statues and other Buddhist inspired art pieces and relics, hidden amongst a lush green garden. All of the pieces are available for purchase, perfect if you are after a unique art piece for your home. The garden is a lovely place to wander around and escape the city, and the café provides a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a coffee amongst the art and greenery.

Bua Tong Waterfall

The mountains and jungles around Chiang Mai are home to many interesting waterfalls to explore. Some of these are popular spots on the tour group schedules, while others are only visited by more intrepid travellers. Bua Tong Waterfall is one of these lesser visited places, located around an hour and half north of Chiang Mai. Bua Tong is commonly known as the “Sticky Waterfall”, and what makes it unique is that you can literally walk directly up the waterfall without slipping, due to a special mineral deposit which makes the surface “sticky”. This unique waterfall cascades beautifully down through the forest from a spring above. Popular only with local Thai people and the odd expat, you won’t run into any big groups of tourists here, and during week days, you may even have the place to yourself.

Huay Tung Tao Lake

Another wonderful day trip to escape the hustle and bustle of the city is to the picturesque Huay Tung Tao Lake. You’ll find plenty of local Thai people here, particularly on the weekend, but not many foreign tourists. The lake is surrounding by beautiful natural scenery, with the calm waters of the lake surrounded by forest and jungle clad mountains. There are lots of waterside restaurants at Huay Tung Tao Lake where you can enjoy a nice lunch of local Thai food and a refreshing drink or two. Go for a swim in the lake, take a relaxing walk or hire one of the pedal boats to paddle around on the water.

Isaan Ros Sab

Located on the corner of Rachapakinai Road and Soi 9 in the Old City of Chiang Mai, Isaan Ros Sab is a cheap little local restaurant that serves up delicious Isaan cuisine, plus lots of tasty local Thai dishes. Their salads are delightful, such as their Som Tam Thai or Tam Tua, a crunchy green bean salad. Another good choice is their tasty and spicy Tom Yum. Isaan Ros Sab has an English menu available but is the sort of place where you are likely to be the only foreigner there, making it an excellent hidden gem to try out in Chiang Mai.

If you know where to look, you can escape the crowds and explore some unique and interesting sights in Chiang Mai. These are just seven of many hidden gems to check out in this must visit city.