Old City
inside the moat, temples and the Sunday walking street
What it is like
The square kilometre inside the moat, and the streets immediately around it. Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man all sit within twenty minutes of each other on foot, which is why most first visits to Chiang Mai are spent here.
Sunday evening is the Sunday Walking Street, when Ratchadamnoen closes to traffic end to end. Saturday evening is the Wua Lai street, just outside the south moat. Both are worth planning around, in either direction: some guests book for them and some book to avoid them.
After dark some lanes are loud and some are silent, and sometimes it is the same lane. Our guide has more entries here than anywhere except Chang Khlan, and they lean towards temples, museums and small bars.
Places nearby, from our guide
From the guide we write for our own guests. The note under each place is the host's own.
Wat Sri Suphan
Temple
Also known as the Silver Temple, famous for its intricate silver decorations and craftsmanship, offering a unique and dazzling visual experience.
Wua Lai Walking Street
Shop/Bazaar
Only on saturday evenings
Beam&Col. coffee bar
Coffee
Coffee, Shop, Evening Bar, Life Music on weekends....Beam&Col. is all of this together. Stop by and enjoy at any time of the day.
Kalm Village Chiangmai
Shop/Bazaar
Unique cultural hub that celebrates traditional Thai arts, crafts, and textiles. It features an art gallery, workshops, and a boutique showcasing beautifully handcrafted items that reflect Thailand's rich heritage. The space also includes a tranquil café where visitors can enjoy specialty coffee, tea, and light snacks while surrounded by inspiring artistry and design. It's a perfect destination for those seeking to connect with Thai culture in a serene and creative environment.
Sunday Night Market
Shop/Bazaar
Only on sunday evenings, Nearest entry point is at Chiang Mai Gate
The Treasury Museum Chiang Mai
Museum/Gallery
Sounds boring, but actually interesting, newly set up. Free Entrance and very much worth it.
Who it suits
Judgement rather than fact. This is how we answer a guest who asks us to choose between neighbourhoods.
- A first visit, where walking distance to the temples decides how the days are spent.
- Short stays: three or four nights, no vehicle, no fixed plan.
- Travellers who want the Sunday market on the doorstep rather than a ride away.
- Less suited to a long stay with a car. Parking inside the moat is genuinely difficult and the lanes are narrow.
We do not manage anywhere in Old City yet.
Rather than pad this page out, we would sooner say so. We take on properties one at a time and only where we can look after them properly, so this list grows slowly and on purpose.
Not sure this is the right neighbourhood?
Tell us who is travelling and what you want inside a ten minute walk. We will say which part of Chiang Mai fits, including when the answer is one we manage nothing in.