Often called Thailand’s “Capital in the North,” the mountainside city of Chiang Mai is an idyllic destination with bundles on offer across its rich and varied neighborhoods.
The lush green scenery and ancient architecture captures the hearts of visitors, as does the range of things to do – you’re never far away from a forested waterfall, a medieval temple or a fantastic jazz club.
This low-rise metropolis has a bustling center and the best neighborhoods to visit are just a short distance apart. It’s easy to get from A to B using songthaew (minivans) or taxi-hailing apps, so staying in one place when visiting is the best way forward, because nothing is too far away.
1. Old City
Best neighborhood for history and first-timers
At Chiang Mai’s heart is its ancient center. Surrounded by an impressive, wide moat, the walled Old City buzzes with life and activity. Buddhist temples such as the red-brick Wat Chedi Luang, teak-decked Wat Phan Tao and gold-leafed Wat Phra Singh are on every main road. Large museums including Lanna Folklife Museum and Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center also keep history-loving tourists busy.
Just 1.5km (1 mile) in length and breadth, the Old City is great to amble around on foot or by bicycle, stopping whenever something catches your eye. It’s not just for culture vultures; this neighborhood is awash with pretty cafes and some of the liveliest nightlife spots in the city, from the classy North Gate Jazz Co-op to the raucous Zoe in Yellow. It’s a great place to be based on your first visit if you like to be in the thick of it. As the majority of hostels are concentrated in the Old City, this part is the ultimate pick for those looking to do Chiang Mai on a budget.
Best places to stay in Old City: Tamarind Village, Sri-pat Guesthouse, Awana House
2. Nimman
Best neighborhood for restaurants
A relatively new neighborhood to the west of the Old City, Nimman (short for Nimmanhaemin) is packed with boutique hotels and modern condo buildings. The drinking and dining options boomed around the influx of residents and consequently, it’s become a busy evening destination, full of bars and restaurants. It’s safe to say that Nimman is the coolest area in Chiang Mai. While the Old City is more traditional and sights-heavy, Nimmanhaemin is all about the epicurean good living.
Every possible cuisine is done very well here. Choose from the quintessentially Northern Thai noodle dishes at Kao Soy Nimman and Ginger Farm Kitchen, or international spots covering Chinese, Indian, Italian and Korean food – and of course, there’s burgers galore. Nimman is also home to award-winning coffee roasters Roast8ry Lab and Ristr8to Original, and the brilliant vegan community hub Free Bird Cafe.
Nimman is ideal for those who’d like to experience the laid-back and trendy side of Chiang Mai. The neighborhood is a 10-minute drive from Old Town. However, it’s set close to the airport runway, and you can hear planes throughout the day and night.
Best places to stay in Nimman: Artel Nimman, Hotel Noir, Baan Say-La
3. Santitham
Best neighborhood for local bars
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Directly north of Nimman (but with distinctly fewer tourists) sits Santitham. This is a busy local neighborhood, where the daytime sees steady traffic thanks to the cafes, schools, gyms and camera repair shops. But it’s the bars and clubs that you should check out here, ready to keep you busy until the small hours.
Yawk Bar is the spot to watch sports or just enjoy a few beers, while Santitham Plaza has a bunch of large open-air venues that are always busy and fun on the weekends – the best in that square is Chang Hi Bar. EDM heads will appreciate BLU CNX. Alternatively, just wander around and pull up a chair at one of the countless small roadside spots; most aren’t listed on Google Maps.
Best places to stay in Santitham: Saeng Panya Home, POR Santitham
4. Jed Yot
Best neighborhood for peace and quiet
Driving into Jed Yot from the highway feels like you’re not in the city at all. The road twists and turns through green fields and quiet back streets that are framed by the verdant Suthep mountain range. This peaceful neighborhood is set apart from the nightlife in Nimman and is a 10- to 15-minute drive from the Old City, but the distance means cheaper and quieter stays.
That’s not to say it’s a dull area; Jed Yot is home to one of the oldest temples in the city, Wat Chet Yot, which is unique due to its Indian-influenced architectural style. There are also a number of great museums: Chiang Mai National Museum, Sbunnga Textile Museum and the Highland People Discovery Museum, which gives an awesome introduction to the lives of the diverse hill tribes who populate the north of Thailand.
Best places to stay in Jed Yot: CMOR Hotel by Recall
5. Chinatown and Night Bazaar
Best neighborhood for street food
Just west of the Ping River sits Chiang Mai’s vibrant Chinatown, the 19th-century trading post that’s still thriving today. The main attraction, Warorot Market (also known as Kad Luang), is a large indoor shopping hub that spreads across two blocks. It’s full to the brim with clothes, homewares and, most importantly, food stalls galore, serving Thai and Chinese food. It’s a great area to base yourself if you love big community vibes and great, cheap eats, all just 1km (0.6 miles) from Pratu Tha Phae, the Old City’s east entrance gate.
Directly below Chinatown is the Night Bazaar zone. The bazaar itself is a souvenir market and the area is full of great restaurants. It’s also home to two of the most LGBTQI+ friendly spots, Ram Bar and 6ixcret, where elegant drag performers sing and dance-pop hits until the small hours.
Further south is Anusarn Night Bazaar with more souvenir vendors and food stalls as well as a Chiang Mai Cabaret Show. Food and entertainment at the doorstep make the Night Bazaar neighborhood a top choice for party animals.
Best places to stay in Chinatown and Night Bazaar: Le Meridien Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel, Melia Chiang Mai
6. Riverside
Best neighborhood for riverside hangouts
Along the eastern flank of the Ping River, the Riverside (a part of a larger Wat Ket neighborhood) is lined with old wooden houses and warehouses from bygone years – squint and you could be in the 1950s. On the riverbank are laid-back bars, restaurants and cafes like Good View and The Riverside, where you can graze the days away. Come back in the evening to see the nightlife here buzz, particularly on the weekends when locals and visitors enjoy the live music and dance floors.
Riverside is a great area to stay in, full of character and generally a bit cheaper as it’s set back from the old city.
Best places to stay in Riverside: Riverside House, Baan Orapin, Hotel des Artists Ping Silhouette
7. Suthep
Best neighborhood for an energetic student vibe
Set to the South of Nimman along the Suthep Road, this district is where the campuses of Chiang Mai University are located. This results in a youthful vibe and many budget-friendly food and drink spots. The neighborhood is a balanced choice for a Chiang Mai visit: you’ll stay a short-Grab-ride-away from both Nimman and the Old Town without the crowds and high prices. Plus, Suthep’s mountaintop location guarantees amazing sights. Wat Suan Dok is an impressive Buddhist temple with a 48-meter-high gilded chedi (or bell-shaped stupa) and a large Buddha statue. Another highlight is a beautiful open-air Lanna Traditional House Museum showcasing 10 historic Thai houses.
Ton Phayom Fresh Market and Lang Mor Night Market are two spots to check out for a variety of street food and traditional Chiang Mai culinary specialties. Lively Alleys 6 and 7 behind Lang Mor Night Market are home to many small independent coffee shops and tea houses.
Best places to stay in Suthep: Evergreen Cafe and Hotel
8. Mae Rim
A part of the Chiang Mai Urban Area, Mae Rim is the furthest neighborhood from the Old City on this list. You’d need at least 30 minutes by car to reach the Chiang Mai center. But the closeness to the dramatic mountains of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park and Nam Tok Mae Sa waterfalls makes it a great choice to stay in nature. Mae Rim is also where the high-end green resorts are, so luxury-seeking travelers will be happy to find some Northern Thai bliss here.
Where to stay: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Keep planning your trip to Chiang Mai:
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