Exploring the Small Town of Chiang Mai—Non-Instagrammable Spots

Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Zoo, Doi Suthep, and Huai Su Waterfall are worth spending a day or a few days exploring. Chiang Mai University is not a tourist attraction, but it is more appealing to us than typical tourist spots. The view of Doi Suthep from the lawn on the south side of Jingxin Lake at Chiang Mai University is even more beautiful than the view from within Doi Suthep. The university's color is purple, and the purple shuttle buses traversing the lush campus give a scene reminiscent of a Hayao Miyazaki film, according to my daughter. Walking around the lake offers different scenic views at every step, each one a boutique. The coffee shops and food stalls within the university are all excellent. We were particularly impressed by the caramel pudding in the shared space, the light salad from the food stall, the avocado smoothie, and the Khao Pad Kra Pao, each from different stalls. The zoo is not particularly outstanding, but you can buy an all-day ticket for the electric car. I accompanied my 11-year-old child for four rounds, which made the ticket worth it. Plus, there are capybaras that are popular with children. We didn't specifically visit the Sticky Waterfall but went to the less crowded Huai Su Waterfall to wade in the water.