Upon pickup by air-conditioned minivan, depart from your hotel in the morning or afternoon and head to Wat Phra Singh, aka the Temple of the Lion Buddha. During the roughly 30-minute drive, chat with your knowledgeable guide about the half-day itinerary ahead; the advantage of a private tour is that what you learn can be tailored to your interests.

You have about an hour to explore 14th-century Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai’s most important Buddhist temple. Observe hundreds of monks and pilgrims gathering at this major monastery, which includes a fully restored assembly hall featuring Phra Chao Thong Tip, a large seated Buddha statue cast in gold and copper, and two medieval Buddha statues.

Step into the Gilded Hall, renovated in the 19th century and considered a fine example of Lanna monastic architecture and religious art. (Lanna was a kingdom in northern Thailand from the 13th to the 18th centuries.) Your guide will point out the Phra Singh (Lion Buddha) and the mural- and stencil-covered walls containing illustrated stories. Admire the opulently carved gables and ornate red-and-gold designs, and ask any questions you’d like.

After your temple tour, take a foot-pedal trishaw ride with your guide to the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center. During your 1.5-hour visit, stroll through the elegant building and pore over the exhibits at your own pace. The museum houses a permanent exhibit that takes visitors through the region’s culture in chronological order, from prehistory to the present, while another section houses short-term local exhibits of all types.

At the modernized, multimedia cultural education center, guides dressed in traditional Thai clothing welcome you to watch an orientation video about Chiang Mai and northern Thailand. Then gain insight into religious traditions, agricultural history, hill-tribe peoples and other regional cultures, as well as the history of the royal dynasty via videos, scale models, life-size models, photos, wall murals and text.

Learn about development plans over the next two decades at the ‘Chiang Mai in the Future’ exhibit, where your guide can translate the Thai descriptions and point out parts of the city, before your tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.