Driving or walking the streets, you will see much of the walls, gates, and moat that surround the old city. In the Lanna period, major cities in this region were fortified with large ditches. As a consequence of digging the fortifications, there was typically a mound of earth next to the ditch, and pools of water formed.
In more modern times, decorative walls and widening of the ‘canals’ has added to the aesthetics of the original fortifications. Today the walls and moat form the backdrop to all the major festivals in Chiang Mai.
While you do not have the nightly market stalls of the night bazaar, there are plenty of restaurants and specialty shops throughout the old city. If you are staying over a weekend there is a weekly market / walking street on Sunday evening. This has everything you will see at the night bazaar (that area is a little quieter on Sundays), plus you will see more original and artistic wares for sale at the Sunday markets.
Old City Attractions
There are many temples to visit in the old city, our top recommendations are to visit Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. Both of these temple compounds charge a small entrance fee, but they are welcoming towards visitors and are definitely worth visiting.
Old City Hotels
Chiang Mai City Tours
If you would like to take a private tour with us, there are several options.
