Chiang Mai seems to get more exciting by the year. There are always new attractions and shops to visit, new cafés, restaurants and bars to explore.
Considering the cultural capital of Northern Thailand is already one of the country’s top travel destinations, that means there is a lot to see, do and experience wherever you stay in the city.
To streamline your next trip, here’s a primer for experiencing the best of the city’s top neighbourhoods and districts, from street stalls and cafés to pique your palate to shops and sites you can’t miss.
Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, at sunrise. (© Shutterstock)
The Old City
What to see and do
All roads lead to the Old City, home to many of Chiang Mai’s most important heritage sites – and some of its best cafés, vendors and shops.Start at Wat Chiang Man. The temple—Chiang Mai’s oldest—was built in 1296 by the city’s founder, King Mengrai, and today its gilded spires and stone elephants attract regular crowds.
For another hit of history, visit Wat Chedi Luang. Arguably Chiang Mai’s most famous temple, it once housed the revered emerald Buddha—now kept safe inside Bangkok’s Grand Palace—but it's best known for its crumbling brick stupa speckled with stone elephants and Buddhist images.
The Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai. (© Shutterstock)
Between cultural sites, stop for a coffee at one of the Old City’s excellent roasters. Akha Ama Phrasingh—located by another landmark temple, Wat Phra Singh—serves coffees brewed with Thai beans harvested by members of the Akha tribes in the lush hills north of Chiang Mai. For a great single-origin Thai coffee, try Ponganes, a world-class roaster a block away from the Three Kings Monument.
At night, get a drink at one of Chiang Mai’s coolest cocktail bars, like second-floor hideaway The White Rabbit, near the city’s north gate, or Nophaburi, where all drinks feature Thai spirits and ingredients.
Tamarind Village, a MICHELIN-listed resort in the centre of Chiang Mai. (© Tamarind Village)
Where to stay
- Rachamankha: One of Chiang Mai’s best boutiques, this hotel recalls ancient Chinese homes and centres on a stunning courtyard. The impeccable rooms, meanwhile, feature hand-sourced antiques.
- Tamarind Village: With its beautiful bamboo corridor and lush grounds, the hotel feels far removed from its location in the heart of Chiang Mai.
Where to eat
- Visit Aunt Aoy Kitchen, a street food gem adorned with customer notes and photos. Aunt Aoy, with hotel kitchen expertise, serves a must-try Chef Omelette – fluffy, crispy, and loaded with stir-fried minced pork, salted egg, and pork crackling.
- Baan Landai's eclectic interior exudes charm and offers a window into the kitchen where chefs craft pan-Thai dishes, including pork ribs with red wine sauce, alongside various vegetarian options.
- The House by Ginger is a chic and unique spot serving MSG-free, authentic Northern Thai classics like Khao Soi and Nam Prik Ong with a creative twist.
- For authentic Isan dishes in Old Town Chiang Mai, SP Chicken’s aromatic and impossibly juicy rotisserie chicken is the jewel in the crown according to our MICHELIN Inspectors.
One Nimman is also a perfect place for shopping and hanging out. (© Tourism Authority of Thailand)
Nimmanhaemin
What to see and do
Abutting the airport, Chiang Mai University and a few popular shopping malls, Nimman, as the area is called, is both incredibly convenient and very fun.Do as the young folks do—head straight to one of Nimman’s many great cafés or co-working spaces. In this neighbourhood, you’ll find dozens of great places to start your day, including three branches of local brand Roast8ry: the flagship, Ristr8to; the Roast8ry Lab, which also serves cocktails; and Roast8ry Flagship, a roomy multi-level space where you can get work done over an impeccably poured latte.
Recharged, enjoy some retail therapy in and around the hip One Nimman mall. Shop for hand-woven, fair-trade textiles at Studio Naenna, then visit art-focused bookstore The Booksmith and Ari Art, a fashion boutique that specialises in comfy, gender-neutral organic cotton clothing.
In the afternoon, join the uni students and influencers taking shots around atmospheric Angkaew Reservoir, a lake within Chiang Mai University, at the foot of Doi Suthep. Then cap the day with a relaxing massage at the Oasis Spa on Nimman before bar-hopping with Chiang Mai’s young crowds.
Looking to stay in the heart of Nimman? (© Akyra Manor Chiang Mai)
Where to stay
- Akyra Manor: This 30-suite hotel sits in the heart of Nimman. The design is modern but calm and spare at the same time. Rise Rooftop Bar on the eighth floor, meanwhile, is ideal for sundowners.
- Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel: Every floor of this hotel behind One Nimman features a different theme, from abstract art to pop art to Lanna “romance,” and the rooms boast just as unique designs, too.
Where to eat
- Looking for a culinary adventure? Head to Blackitch Artisan Kitchen, nestled above a gelato shop, where Chef Phanuphol Bulsuwan concocts a 10-course masterpiece fusing Thai, Japanese, and Chinese flavours with locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.
- Serving authentic Northern Thai cuisine since 2011, Huen Muan Jai is an ideal lunch spot in a lush garden. Be sure to sample the Northern Thai spicy pork salad, and for newcomers, the exceptional Northern appetiser sampler is a must-try.
- Enjoy a Chinese luncheon at Yangzi Jiang, a contemporary Lanna house restaurant in trendy Nimmana Haemin, helmed by a chef with Hong Kong roots. Their lunch menu includes a diverse dim sum selection, with MICHELIN-recommended dishes like the signature steamed scallop dumplings with black truffles and the unforgettable Peking duck.
Drop by La Luna Gallery for some artsy session. (© La Luna Gallery)
Wat Ket
What to see and do
The east banks of the Ping River historically was a jumping off point for Western missionaries, Chinese traders and teak merchants. Today, this diversity still pulses through the neighbourhood.To experience the community’s living history, start at Wat Ket Karam, its leafy namesake temple, built way back in 1428. Nearby you’ll find the At Taqwa Mosque, A Chinese mosque that houses the first Islamic school in Chiang Mai and speaks to Wat Ket’s historic diversity.
Wander through the back alleys and sleepy side streets on your way to Monsoon Tea. The blends and single-origin teas served here are plucked from the wild in the northern Thai jungles. After whiling away an hour or two over a book or conversation, explore Wat Ket’s artsy side.
Set within a colonial-style house near the bustling riverside, La Luna Gallery displays—and sells—work from artists based across Asia. Nearby non-profit Sop Moei Arts, meanwhile, sells gorgeous textiles, décor and crafts made by Karen artisans in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai.
At night, get a drink beside the river or retreat to Namton’s House Bar, an eclectic bar with a wide variety of craft beer on tap and in fridges, including new releases from Thai brewers.
The best spot at Sala Lanna. (© Sala Lanna Chiang Mai)
Where to stay
- 137 Pillars House: History lives on in this beautifully restored teakwood mansion. Once the headquarters of the East Borneo Company, this property now ranks among Thailand’s best boutique stays.
- Sala Lanna Chiang Mai: It’s hard to beat the riverside views this hotel affords from many of the rooms and their balconies, but the best views might be found at the poolside rooftop bar.
Where to eat
- Across from Wat Ket Karam, Lung Khajohn Wat Ket is a must-visit spot. Don't miss their unique Khao Kriab Pak Moh, steamed rice skin dumplings that our Inspectors rave about.
- For a bougie dinner, visit Oxygen Dining Room, a glass-walled Thai and French fine-dining restaurant that features a well-prepared tasting menu using quality domestic and imported ingredients.
- Our MICHELIN Inspectors also highlight Palette, found within the premises of 137 Pillars House, for its exceptional offerings such as the slow-cooked lamb in northern curry (Hung Le Gae) and the delectable fried river prawns accompanied by puffed rice and crispy garlic.
- Get lost in a lush garden draped in luxuriant foliage, complete with alfresco seating under a lush canopy and indoor dining with river views at Samsen Villa. Unsure where to start in the 200-dish menu? Try the flavourful red curry soup with river snails.
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Chang Moi area in Chiang Mai. (© Shutterstock)
Chang Moi
What to see and do
In the morning, head to Chang Moi’s small but mighty Chinatown, located just across the river from Wat Ket. Here you’ll find Chiang Mai’s most famous market, Kad Luang, or the Warorot Market. You can purchase everything from jars of Nam Prik Noom and coils of spicy Sai Ua to indigo-dyed products, rattan crafts and ceramics. Be sure to explore the nearby flower market, Talad Ton Lam Yai, too.
Navigate the maze of alleyways from Chinatown to The Food Trust, a warehouse that chefs Andy Ricker, Paolo Vitaletti, Dylan Jones and Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava converted into an organic grocery and workshop space.
From here, visit the Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC) to relax in its green courtyard or get some work done (day passes are only THB 100). Then wander down to Chang Moi Road for coffee and photo ops at Brewginning Coffee and the rustic—and camera-friendly—rattan furniture stores next door.
After you’ve got your shot, go to Tha Pae Road and spend the afternoon dropping into the many cafés, concept shops and restaurants. Don’t miss Thapae East, a collective where you can find craft stores like River & Roads and hip restaurants like the excellent Maadae Slow Fish Kitchen.
A quiet corner near the night bazaar. (© RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort)
Where to stay
- RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort: Dark wood, clay tiles and vaulted ceilings give this resort a distinctly Northern Thai feel. Although it’s near Chiang Mai’s bustling night bazaar, it’s remarkably sedate, too.
Where to eat
- Try peppery sausage, made from a blend of pork and eggs, served in a unique broth bursting with joyful spices at Guay Jub Chang Moi Tat Mai.
- Explore the charm of an 1880s mansion transformed into Kiti Panit restaurant, where the owners have reimagined traditional Lanna cuisine with a modern twist.
- If you're craving fresh seafood in the heart of Northern Thailand, visit Maadae Slow Fish Kitchen. This restaurant, founded by a talented chef, is dedicated to bringing the freshest seafood from the Chumphon province in Southeast Thailand to the northern region, supporting local fishermen.
Breathe the fresh air of Mae Rim at the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden. (© Shutterstock)
Mae Rim
What to see and do
No trip to Chiang Mai is complete without a soothing dose of nature, and for most that means driving north into Mae Rim. This verdant, hilly district hides loads of hidden gems. The best place to start is at the sprawling Akha Ama Living Factory.Like its flagship in Chiang Mai’s Old City, this café serves fair-trade, locally harvested Arabica coffee, but it’s set within a striking warehouse surrounded by banana trees, a pond and flower gardens.
After refuelling, venture further into the Doi Suthep foothills and take your pick from a number of nature-based activities. Visit the peaceful Mae Sa Waterfall. Explore the beautiful flowers and plants on display at the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden. Drive up to Mon Jam to sample hilltribe cuisine, wander through local villages and soak up the views. Savour fresh strawberries in the Samoeng district.
Or idle away the day at peaceful Huay Teung Thao, a reservoir surrounded by hiking trails, art installations and rustic floating eateries serving Northern Thai and Isan food.
Immerse yourself in the lush greenery of the five-star resort. (© Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai)
Where to stay
- Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai: Set among rice paddies and lush forests, this five-star resort blends Thai style with contemporary elegance. Additionally, the resort boasts an extensive spa and infinity pool. However, in true Four Seasons fashion, it's the service that truly shines and sets the experience apart.
Where to eat
- Whether you choose to dine indoors or relax with house-made tea on Baan Mon Muan's patio, a traditional Lanna mountain residence, you'll enjoy the refreshing coolness of the 1,200-metre elevation and the breathtaking panoramic view.
- Enjoy the tranquil views of the trees, pond, and rice fields at Baan Suan Mae Rim that’s worth a drive outside the city for its Thai cuisine, and especially its Northern Thai dishes, served in a beautiful, natural setting.
- Another alternative is The Ironwood in case you seek a meal under shady trees in the verdant garden that will make it all worth the drive. Be sure to visit the glasshouse before you leave.
- For a taste of homemade dishes, consider visiting Tune In Garden, a restaurant owned by the late National Artist of Thailand and his wife. Here, you can savour homestyle cuisine inspired by a cookbook she authored, featuring recipes passed down from her mother-in-law.
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Illustration image: © Shutterstock
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