{"id":4847,"date":"2024-05-06T19:40:17","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T10:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/manitabi.com\/?p=4847"},"modified":"2026-07-06T09:51:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T00:51:57","slug":"chiangmai-area-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manitabi.com\/en\/2024\/05\/06\/chiangmai-area-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Chiang Mai Sightseeing Guide: Exploring by Area with a Map"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Chiang<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai, an ancient capital often called the Kyoto of Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where traditional culture blends with a modern pulse, Chiang Mai draws travelers from around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"I want to fully savor Chiang Mai, packed with temples, markets, stylish caf\u00e9s, and more!\"<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For you, this article introduces the areas of Chiang Mai city worth knowing before you visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Chiang Mai, exactly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai, built in the 13th century, is the largest city in northern Thailand and has long played a central role in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wat
Wat Suan Dok, a beautiful Chiang Mai temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The walled Old Town at its center was built in 1296 and flourished as the capital of the Lanna dynasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tha
Tha Phae Gate, the hub of the Old Town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A distinctive \"Lanna culture\" blossomed, nurturing characteristic traditions in cuisine, architecture, crafts, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Khantoke\"
\"Khantoke,\" a traditional Chiang Mai meal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At a slightly elevated 300 m, its refreshing climate and rich nature are part of its appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city is also compact and easy to get around \u2014 another of its draws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai's areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai city is broadly divided into four areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiang
Chiang Mai area map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2460 The Old Town<\/strong>: a must-visit area of Chiang Mai where old temples and streetscapes remain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2461 Nimmanhaemin<\/strong>: a stylish area often likened to Tokyo's Daikanyama or Nakameguro<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2462 The Ping River & New Town:<\/strong> an area where old and new blend well, with night bazaars and luxury hotels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2463 Santitham<\/strong>: a local-feeling area home to many Thai residents<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about what you want to do in Chiang Mai and choose the area that suits you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let's introduce the four areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Old Town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The Old Town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The center of Chiang Mai is a square Old Town surrounded by a moat about 1.6 km on each side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historic temples such as Wat Phra Singh are scattered throughout the Old Town, and its narrow back lanes retain a charming, old-town way of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tha
Tha Phae Gate, the starting point for Old Town sightseeing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stylish caf\u00e9s and craft shops are on the rise too, offering a unique landscape where old and new mingle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended spots<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Wat Phra Singh<\/strong>: a golden, top-ranking royal temple that anchors the people of Chiang Mai<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wat
Wat Phra Singh stupa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


\u2022 Wat Chedi Luang<\/strong>: a temple with Chiang Mai's largest stupa; its illuminated form is majestic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wat
Wat Chedi Luang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Ratchadamnoen Road<\/strong>: home to the Sunday Market, held every Sunday selling folk crafts, food, and more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Sunday Market, bustling with tourists<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[Beginner rating] \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605
With plenty of accommodations and easy, comfortable travel on foot or by bike, this area is recommended for Chiang Mai first-timers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Nimmanhaemin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Nimmanhaemin\"
Nimmanhaemin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nimmanhaemin, Chiang Mai's most popular stylish area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its streets lined with cute shops, caf\u00e9s, and food are famous, and you can feel Chiang Mai's latest trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young Thais gather here too, giving it a lively, spirited buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended spots<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 MAYA<\/strong>: one of Chiang Mai's leading shopping malls, where young locals and tourists gather<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"MAYA
MAYA shopping mall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 One Nimman<\/strong>: a complex gathering stylish, cute restaurants and shops<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"One
One Nimman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Nimmanhaemin caf\u00e9s<\/strong>: Nimmanhaemin has all kinds of caf\u00e9s. Find your own favorite!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GRAPH,
GRAPH, a stylish caf\u00e9 in Nimmanhaemin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[Beginner rating] \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606
A popular area to enjoy shopping, food, and nightlife in every scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Old Town, it's a can't-miss spot for Chiang Mai sightseeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Ping River & New Town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The Ping River & New Town<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The New Town area spans both banks of the Ping River in the eastern part of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent redevelopment has lined the riverside with modern hotels, caf\u00e9s, and galleries, making it a lively new tourist spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step into the back lanes along the river, though, and you'll find charm with an old-fashioned local flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u3010Recommended spots\u3011<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Warorot Market<\/strong>: Chiang Mai's largest market, with everything from souvenirs to daily goods<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Warorot
Warorot Market<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Chiang Mai Night Bazaar<\/strong>: a market to soak up Chiang Mai's energy, from classic souvenirs to Thai food<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiang
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Piam Suk<\/strong>: a sweets shop serving Thailand's tastiest coconut cake <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Piam
Piam Suk's coconut cake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[Beginner rating] \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606
A new area popular with tourists. New hotels and more are being developed, so it's likely to grow even more popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Santitham<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The Santitham area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A local area where mainly Thais gather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lined with down-to-earth eateries, street stalls, and lively markets, it truly has the feel of a place where people \"live.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, it has famous Michelin-recognized restaurants, so venturing a bit beyond the Old Town lets you savor Chiang Mai more deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended spots<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Huen Muan Jai<\/strong>: a northern-Thai restaurant with multiple Michelin honors. Go here and you can't go wrong!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Huen
Huen Muan Jai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Akha Ama Coffee (main branch)<\/strong>: a quintessential Thai caf\u00e9 that has even opened a branch in Kagurazaka, Tokyo; its retro atmosphere is popular<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Akha
Akha Ama Coffee (main branch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Thanin Market<\/strong>: a fresh-food and goods market popular with locals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That's our look at the four areas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about what you want to do in Chiang Mai \u2014 I hope this helps you plan your trip and choose where to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai is also a compact city, and with taxis and the like you can get around every area without trouble. Enjoy the differences between them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here's the Instagram version of this article 👇<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thai Mania🇹🇭 Chiang Mai Travel Guide (@manitabi_thailand)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n