Overview to Chiang Mai: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
Although only Thailand’s fifth largest city, Chiang Mai is often considered the country’s second capital due to its geographical and cultural importance. There’s a distinct hill tribe flavor to things here, and it’s well worth spending time exploring the city before heading off for a hike in the nearby mountains.
Backpackers should find Chiang Mai fairly easy to navigate with the Ping River running north to south through the city, splitting it in two. Most of the attractions are on the west bank, where the Old Town (encircled by a wide moat) is home to 30 remarkable temples.
The well-known Wat Phra Singh is the largest and most interesting of these. A truly stunning structure, its walls are covered in murals that pay homage to 19th century village life. Of the others, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man also stand out.
A variety of museums are dotted in and around the Old Town. Within the moat’s boundary, the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center focuses on the city’s history and culture. Elsewhere, meanwhile, the National Museum and the Hill Tribe Museum are both worth a visit.
But Chiag Mai is also a fascinatingly vibrant, bustling urban center and home to various markets, bazaars and streets stalls that are crammed together in its compact confines. Beginning at about 17.00 most days, this is nightlife, Thai-style.
Between the Ping River and the moat’s eastern face, the night bazaar and Warorot Market offer the chance to shop for a fantastic range of local trinkets and foodstuffs. Here, the color, smells and endless activity come together to create one of the city’s more alluringly exotic experiences.