A Wanderer's Guide To Chiang Mai, Thailand

Five days to two weeks

Couple of months

• Lots of restaurants and cafes, from really affordable to upscale and a lot of variety in cuisine

• Getting transport was really easy

• The night market at Nimman Soi 6 was my favourite night market in town

• Very close to the Lantay Flea Market which I also loved wandering around

• Nimman is so close to the airport (good and bad thing) so the airplanes that fly over are VERY loud. Don’t stay here if you’re a light sleeper.

• High tourist to local ratio (I recognise I’m also adding to the problem)

Visit:

Baan Kang Wat 'Art Village'

A trendy artist village with craft stalls from local creators, creative workshops and cafes in a village setting.

Visit:

Sunrise or sunset at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Temple in the forest with panoramic city views

Visit:

Old City & the Tha Phae Gate

Explore the historic center of Chiang Mai, perfectly enclosed by a square moat and the remains of their defensive wall. The Tha Phae Gate is the iconic entrance into Old City.

Visit:

Chinatown (Kad Luang Area) & Waroros Market

A local market with a maze of shops selling everything from snacks to spices and fabrics.

Visit

Kalm Village

A contemporary "arts and crafts" village tucked away in a quiet corner of the Old City, showcasing curated design in a beautiful wooden building.

Experience:

Tha Phae Walking Street Sunday Night Market

The biggest night marketing in Chiang Mai running through the heart of Old City. Personally thought it was too touristy and busy for my liking but it is a main attraction for most people.

Experience:

One of the many many markets in Chiang Mai

My favourite for vibes was the weekend coconut market and for food - the Nimman Soi 6 Friday night market

Experience:

A professional massage by an inmate

At the Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Institution Vocational Training Center, created to support their rehabilitation back int society.

Listen:

North Gate Jazz Co-op

A small bar that frequently spills out onto the sidewalk, with nightly performances of local and international talent

Eat:

"Khao Soi" - Chiang Mai's famous curry noodle soup

Rich, creamy, spicy soup that will leave you sweating

Eat:

Northern Thai herb sausages (Sai Oua)

"Chiang Mai Sausage" packed with lemongrass, kaffir lime, and galangal.

Drink:

Cafe Hopping across Chiang Mai

Heaps of cafes and roasteries to check out, from award winning Roast8ry to local Thai flavours at Charlie Thai Tea

Pad Kra Pao, one of my favourite go-to meals in Thailand, but KaPaO takes it up a notch. Open kitchen so you can watch the cooks cook. Pick your desired protein and the masters combine it with fragrant aromatics and a spicy kick. Upgrade to a set meal for a couple of dollars for a side salad, soup and must have fried duck egg. I think this is the best Pad Kra Pao I’ve ever had.

Come for lunch for a less busy atmosphere or you might have to wait 30 mins during dinner.

If I could only have one dish for the rest of my life it would be Hainanese chicken rice. But this Thai version at Koyi is really making me question that. They serve a half poached and half fried chicken which is heavenly. This spot has been on the Michelin Guide for years and I can see why. Also don’t sleep on the soup, you’ll be wanting seconds.

A farm to city concept using organic and free-range ingredients grown on their farm on the outskirts of town. Their Northen Thai menu showcases a rainbow of ingredients, colours and herbs on a plate. Decent sized serves better for sharing. The menu is huge. You probably won’t be able to try everything you want to on your first visit. I’m still dreaming about their spicy (big juicy) raw prawn salad.

Took myself on a solo date to PARI- nestled in the heart of old town, this small cosy restaurant with a Thai-Japanese inspired menu. All the dishes were unique and well prepared with high quality ingredients. Cherry tomato wasabi with fetta cheese, mentaiko pasta, home made sesame ice cream. Wish I wasn’t solo so I could try more dishes. 🥲
Bookings essential. Go for dinner as their lunch menu is not the same.

Charlie Thai Tea takes Thailand’s national drink and gives it a modern spin. Head straight to the bar first, where rows of tins let you smell and choose your tea leaves before they brew.
I tried the ‘Charlie’ Salted caramel cold foam over Thai milk tea, served in a wine glass (v bougie). A bit sweet, so more dessert than a drink but pretty delicious if you don’t mind the sugar kick.

Stumbled upon Fimue after lunch at Koyi Chicken Rice (350m away). Half café, half curated store, stocked with vintage objects, glassware and trinkets sourced from around the world. Took my time to browse whilst light jazz looped softly in the background. The Earl Grey milk tea with a sweet cold foam was just what I needed to feel in place in this cottagecore-esq cafe.

A cute smoothie joint in Nimman offering fresh smoothies to beat the tropical heat. Love that they customise the level of sugar and milk depending on what you like. My rec? The mango yoghurt.

Akha Ama Phrasingh pours some of the city’s most respected locally sourced coffee in a bright, two‑storey space on Rachadamnoen Road. The architecture of the space is gorgeous with earthy brick walls, concrete pillars and a winding staircase to a second floor where you can watch the baristas brew below. It’s an ideal first (or last) stop on a loop around Old City.

Lovely place with so much to do.

• I was there for two weeks but I feel like I barely scratched the surface as I was working FT and only had one full weekend to explore.

• I didn't manage to go out on any day trips to Chiang Rai or the mountain side so I would love to come back and do some of those more “touristy spots”.

• This place has everything to support a digital nomad:

• There's definitely lots of expats.

• It's very convenient

• Never once felt unsafe as a solo female.

• You can essentially get anything you want (tho I'm not sure about the healthcare).

• I think I could stay here for three months and probably not get bored.

• Coconut Market

• The cafe scene

• Massages are so good here as there are a lot of massage training schools in Chiang Mai

• High tourist to locals ratio

• Chiang Mai Sunday night market - WAYY too busy.

• Very loud plane and jets flying over nimman. Cool the first time, but not the next 400 times.

Probably try staying on the right side of town next to the river for a different experience (and to get some better sleep).