Charming Aspects of Chiang Mai - Where Past and Present Merge

Travelers from Vietnam can easily reach Chiang Mai with direct flights, no need to transit through Bangkok.

Three Delightful Experiences You'll Encounter When Visiting Chiang Mai - The City of Cultural Fusion

When in Thailand, besides Bangkok, Chiang Mai stands out as a popular choice. You'll encounter a diverse mix of tourists here, from foreigners to locals, spanning various age groups, from the elderly to school children, students, and toddlers. Exploring Chiang Mai tourism, you'll witness ancient artistic charm in golden temples, alongside modern vibes in art galleries, cafes, and various other creative activities. Chiang Mai was honored by UNESCO as a 'Creative City' in 2017.

Ancient Wonders and Modern Innovations

A trip to Chiang Mai tourism would be incomplete without experiencing the inspiring blend of past and present at exquisite locations. Here, you can admire centuries-old temple spires amidst modern cafes serving refined cups of coffee.

Exploring the Ancient Charm

To truly delve into the antiquity of this place, perhaps visitors must spend 1-2 days to gain a clear insight into Chiang Mai's past. One should visit the temples, memorials with architectural influences from Myanmar and Chinese culture. At these temples, tourists can often find ancient mural paintings, intricately carved bricks, or gold-plated Buddha statues.

If you're interested in the city's culture, the Lanna Folklife Museum is an ideal destination. It provides visitors with a comprehensive view of the elements that have shaped the city's lifestyle from ancient times to the present.

The area near Chiang Mai University on Nimmanhaemin Road will also add an interesting dimension to tourists' visits with art galleries, fashion boutiques, and cafes serving excellent espresso.

Chiang Mai boasts numerous museums, showcasing a rich collection of creative artifacts from the Thai community. Particularly noteworthy is the MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum, newly renovated from an old industrial estate, with an exterior design that blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape. MAIIAM was the first museum in Thailand to win the Best New Museum in the Asia Pacific award in 2017.

Culinary Delights

To truly savor life's essence here, travelers must visit Halal Street and indulge in the signature dish, curry soup kôw soy; head to Talat Pratu Chang Pheuak market to taste the cowboy-hatted lady's pork dish paired with unique rice. Alternatively, visitors can relish grilled tilapia or boiled chicken served with spicy papaya salad.

International delights not to be missed include sandwiches, eggs benedict with fresh bread, and refreshing smoothies. For lunch and dinner, patrons can enjoy Italian fare such as pizza and truffle mushroom oil at Ạkyra Hotel. Ginger & Kafe @ The House serves creatively crafted cocktails paired with internationally inspired Thai dishes like Thai-style salmon. Tengoku offers premium sushi while Service 1921 caters to luxurious Asian cuisine by the picturesque riverbank.

For desserts, nowhere beats iBerry Garden near Nimmanhaemin Road with unique flavors from Southeast Asia and Thailand. Guests can indulge in Thai tea or durian within the quirky garden setting.

Expansive Handicraft Markets

Traveling in Chiang Mai, visitors will be truly spoiled for choice with the array of items worth buying here. Markets are ubiquitous, from night markets to weekend walking streets. These bustling markets are brimming with textiles, soap, t-shirts, handmade bracelets, jewelry, and so much more.

Visitors can also opt for shopping at smaller venues along Chang Moi Road, displaying baskets filled with unique items ranging from handwoven hats to lampshades, cushions, or footstools. Shopping at fairs serves as a way to support hill tribe people in Thailand, such as the Thai Hill Tribe Craft Fair near McCormick Hospital.

Big stores are excellent choices for high-quality items. Vila Cini on Charoenrat Road sells premium handwoven goods, stores on Nimmanhaemin and Tha Phae Road offer exquisite jewelry, while Siam Celadon specializes in premium ceramics.

While Chiang Mai may be a modern shopping district, its shops and restaurants reflect the city's ancient charm.

By Tiến Quang/Ngôi sao

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide