Staying in Chiang Mai Old City
Temples, walking streets and guesthouses inside the moat. What staying in Chiang Mai's Old City is like and who it suits.
Chiang Mai’s Old City is a square about 1.5 km across, enclosed by a moat and the remains of brick walls dating back to the Lanna kingdom. Inside are dozens of temples, quiet lanes, cafés and many small hotels and guesthouses.
What it is like
- Temples are everywhere, including Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang with its huge ruined chedi, and Wat Chiang Man, said to be the oldest in the city.
- The Sunday Walking Street along Ratchadamnoen Road and the Saturday Walking Street on Wualai Road, just south of the moat, are large evening markets.
- Tha Phae Gate, on the eastern side, is a gathering point and leads towards the Night Bazaar and the river.
- The north-west corner is a little quieter, with cafés and smaller guesthouses.
Who it suits
The Old City is ideal for first-time visitors, culture lovers and budget travellers who like to explore on foot. Most hotels are small and boutique rather than large resorts, so travellers wanting a big pool and facilities may prefer the riverside or outskirts.
Getting around
The airport is only about 15 minutes away. Red songthaews, tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps cover the city, and many people rent bicycles to get around the Old City.
When to go
November to February has the most pleasant weather. Air quality is often poor from about February to April due to seasonal burning. Songkran in April is celebrated with a city-wide water fight centred on the moat.