Things to Do in Chiang Mai

Wander Wat Chedi Luang after dark

The ruined brick chedi looms like a shadowy castle, floodlights picking out 15th-century nagas coiled around stone stairs. Bats chitter overhead and sandalwood drifts from the working chapel where monks chant in Pali, their voices bouncing off brick.

Motorbike the Samoeng Loop

Coffee orchards and strawberry fields flash past as you climb into the Mae Sa valley, the air cool enough to raise goosebumps. Pull over for earthy arabica and watch clouds snag on pine ridges while the engine ticks cool.

Sunday Walking Street handicraft hunt

Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic and becomes a kilometre of indigo batik, clacking wood-carving tools, and caramel coconut pancakes. Silver bells tinkle on handmade bracelets and vendors hand out spicy sai ua from iron grills.

Sunset at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

The cable car drops you into a court of golden bells that tinkle in the mountain breeze. As the sun sinks, the Chiang Mai basin glitters below, orange lights flickering on while monks in burgundy pad past with low laughs.

Khantoke dinner with Northern music

You sit cross-legged on rattan mats while waiters in embroidered jackets set down bowls of gaeng hang lay, its sweet-sour pork quivering in thick curry. Bamboo xylophones plink and dancers flick silver daggers in sync, metal catching lamplight.

Old Town inside the moat for temple-footsteps convenience and cheap cafés

Nimman for craft-coffee, co-working spaces and boutique condos

Riverside on Charoenrat Road where teak houses double as jazz bars

Santitham north of the moat - local, quieter, good night food

Night Bazaar zone if you want neon, foot massages and tourist pubs

Hang Dong for resort villas and rice-field views 20 minutes out