Everyone has different preferences for a city. For Chiang Mai, I like the Nimman Road business district, which is full of youthful images of art design and cultural and creative cafes. If she likes nostalgia, retro, and historical feelings, then I fall in love with the “Chiang Mai Ancient City” where many city walls and historical temples left by the ancient dynasty are preserved everywhere.

When you come to the ancient city of Chiang Mai, an area squarely framed by the ancient city wall is the city center of Chiang Mai. You can wander around the ancient city at will, visit temples, markets, and night markets, and look for Northern Thai snacks. Experience the historical traces of the Lanna Dynasty in this quaint town.

Introduction to Chiang Mai Ancient Town

The ancient city of Chiang Mai has a long history. Since King Menrai moved from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai in 1296, Chiang Mai has become the capital of the Lanna Dynasty. In Thai, Chiang Mai means “new city”. Chiang Rai is the “Old City”. The Lanna Dynasty built city walls, moats, and many Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai. With the changes of the times, there are now only four city walls and five city gates in the east, west, south, and north. The following are the meanings of the five gates:

• Tha Pae Gate: It is the main entrance of the ancient city and the most visited gate.
• Chiang Mai Gate: Next to the gate is a 24-hour traditional market, and there is also a night market in the evening.
• Suan Prung Gate: The door to the living.
• Songdeokmun: There used to be Songdalsa Temple leading to the palace garden, which had the meaning of protecting residents.
• Chang Puak Gate: a city gate exclusively used by the royal family in the past.

What Is There to Do in the Middle of the Ancient City?

Recommended Buddhist temples that must be visited in the ancient city include Pandao Temple, Chedi Luang Temple, Pha Sing Temple, and Chiang Man Temple. My favorite is the “Chedi Luang Temple” located in the center of the ancient city of Chiang Mai, its phoenix tail, gables, porches, and other Buddhist temple buildings with Lanna architectural style are must-see features in Chiang Mai. Since Buddhist temples are influenced by dynasties in different periods, Lanna Lanna can also be seen in the same temple Architecture, Angkor style, and Siam Dynasty style are integrated into it. Behind the Buddhist temple is the tallest “Grand Pagoda” in Chiang Mai. It was built in 1441 AD as a Nalanthai Dynasty building and is surrounded by elephant statues. The top of the tower is because It has been toppled by natural disasters but remains majestic.

Accommodation in Central Ancient City Area

The “Baan Huen Phen” hotel is located in the center of Chiang Mai’s ancient city, just near Chedi Luang Temple. The interior environment is simple and elegant, with no excessive murals or hangings on the walls, double-sided beige paint, and large red bricks. The floor is paired with a single-sided grass-green bedside wall. In addition to echoing the outdoor landscaping color scheme, the yellow light that is not too bright makes people feel warm as soon as they come back here. In addition, the service staff are very kind and it is one of my favorite hotels that I have stayed in in Chiang Mai.

Gucheng District Central Food

I know that there are many Northern Thai delicacies and snacks in the ancient city of Chiang Mai, which are affordable and delicious. But if you are like me and live here for half your life or as a sojourner, eating cheap, greasy, and spicy food every day will hurt your stomach. It’s just too much to bear, so I occasionally go to Thailand to look for some new healthy and organic restaurants. This Thai-Western brunch restaurant “Farm Story House” located in the center of the ancient city is a good choice for enjoying a leisurely morning. The restaurant specializes in coffee and organic food, and the decoration is retro with the owner’s unique ideas.

South Gate Accommodation

The most fascinating thing about Chiang Mai for tourists, in addition to the natural beauty and modern creative design, is that most hotel service staff are very friendly. “Huen Hug Chiang Mai” located near the south gate of the ancient city of Chiang Mai is such a hotel A nice affordable hotel with a simple and clean overall environment. The location is very close to the weekend market and the ancient city gate. There are many gourmet restaurants and convenient supermarkets nearby.

South Gate Food

The restaurant “The FACES Gallery & Gastro Bar – Restaurant” located near the Huen Hug Hotel, looks like the walls of Angkor Wat. In addition to the antique charm at the door, the restaurant is like entering Angkor Wat in the jungle. From the mysterious path Stepping on the stone slabs, surrounded by trees, the rows of statues on the wall are like the statues in Angkor Wat, dancing with their bodies, instantly bringing back all kinds of memories of Angkor Wat. The Faces also uses hanging flowers and plants that have become very popular in recent years. The romantic flowers and plants hanging from the air in the outdoor area of the restaurant, coupled with string lights, make it very romantic. The dining atmosphere at The FACES is great, and the food is delicious too!

Weekend Night Market

There are many night markets in Chiang Mai, the most famous and largest of which is the “Saturday Night Market / ถนนคนเดินวัวลาย)” that only exists on weekends, which is located at the south gate of the ancient city (Chiang Mai Gate) ) “Chiang Mai Saturday Night Market/Wualai Night Market” on nearby Wua Lai Rd; and the merchants that are very similar to the Saturday Night Market start from Tha Pae Gate, which is very close to the Saturday Night Market, and start from Tha Pae Gate. “Sunday Night Market (Sunday Market)”, the products sold in both are very similar. Among them, the Saturday night market is crowded with people with their chests touching their backs. If you want to go shopping more relaxed, you might as well choose the Sunday night market!

North Gate Massage

Fah Lanna is arguably the most popular massage parlor in Chiang Mai. I was completely blown away by their excellent service and massage techniques. So I came to Chiang Mai for a massage three times in the past few weeks!!! Fah Lanna Spa is a massage parlor with a northern Thai flavor. The decoration is mainly based on some traditional Northern Thai cultural elements, and there are also many traditional Northern Thai therapies. Massage techniques are different from other parts of Thailand, including a “Siamese” massage using Thai herbal balls. Luo Herbal Massage”, and “Lanna Thai Northern Massage”, you can experience Tokson Massage and other folk therapies.

The above is my brief introduction to the ancient city of Chiang Mai. With century-old monuments, Northern Thailand’s unique Lanna massage, beautiful Northern Thai food, retro alleys, and an open-air European and American dining atmosphere, Chiang Mai is suitable for slow living and leisure. Roaming city, come and play in Chiang Mai!