The Old City temples and the Night Bazaar
Spend the morning on foot among the Old City’s great Lanna temples, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, then take a long lunch and visit the city museum in the heat of the afternoon. Ride out to the Silver Temple, rest, and finish at the Night Bazaar once evening falls. The pace is easy, with most hops on foot or a short ride.
- 1 hour 15 min
Wat Phra Singh
A Lanna-style temple known for its golden chedi and the revered Phra Singh Buddha image.
Wat Phra Singh is one of Chiang Mai’s most important temples, founded in the 14th century and known for its graceful Lanna-style halls, a golden chedi and the revered Phra Singh Buddha image. Arrive early for softer light and fewer visitors. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote · CC BY 4.0 - 1 hour 15 min
Wat Chedi Luang
A 14th-century temple whose giant brick chedi lost its top in a 16th-century earthquake.
Wat Chedi Luang was begun in the late 14th century and once held one of the tallest structures in the Lanna kingdom. Its huge brick chedi was partly toppled by an earthquake in the 16th century and is now a haunting, partly restored ruin beside an active temple hall. It sits in the middle of the Old City, so you can walk here from Wat Phra Singh.
Photo: © Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 - 1 hour 15 min
Lunch break
- 1 hour 30 min
Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre
A museum on Lanna history in a restored early 20th-century building near the Three Kings Monument.
This museum sits in a restored early 20th-century building in the heart of the Old City, opposite the Three Kings Monument, and gives useful context on Lanna history and Chiang Mai’s cultural heritage. It is a cool, calm break from the heat in the early afternoon. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, 08:30 to 16:30, and closed on Monday and Tuesday, so check before you go. It is also known as the Chiang Mai Cultural Centre, part of the Chiang Mai City Heritage Centre.
Photo: Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 - 1 hour
Wat Sri Suphan (the Silver Temple)
A temple whose ubosot is covered in hand-beaten silver and nielloware.
Wat Sri Suphan is known for its ubosot (ordination hall), covered in silver and nielloware by local craftspeople. Women are traditionally not allowed inside the silver ubosot, though everyone can admire it from the outside, so check the signs on the day. It is a short ride from the Old City and a good place to see the craft tradition of Wualai Road; on Saturday evenings the Wualai Walking Street runs right beside it.
Photo: Immanuelle · CC BY 4.0 - 1 hour 45 min
Afternoon rest
- 1 hour 30 min
Chang Khlan Night Bazaar
A big evening market of crafts, clothing and street food on Chang Khlan Road.
The Chang Khlan Night Bazaar fills the streets and covered halls with crafts, clothing, souvenirs and food stalls once evening falls. Bargaining is normal, so carry small notes. If your Day 1 falls on a Sunday, the Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road is a livelier alternative.
Photo: Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 - 1 hour
Dinner at the market
