Cafe Hopping

Chiang Mai is home to many award-winning baristas and farmers who contribute to the exceptional quality of coffee found in the city. Serious coffee lovers will greatly appreciate Chiang Mai’s coffee culture, with beans grown by Northern Thai farmers and roasted locally, a dizzying array of coffee shops that range from hipster hangouts to cosy cafes to the outright whimsical, and coffees always available at a street or market stall, a cart, or even from trishaws that travel the streets selling coffee.

Trishaw Tour

The trishaw or sam lor (“three wheels”) is the traditional transport of Chiang Mai, and a way of experiencing the past along with seeing the city from a very different perspective. The ride will take you at a stately speed past the Chiang Mai old city walls and down to Wat Ket Karam, built in 1482 and located along the Ping River, and then on to Warorot Market, the largest fresh market in the city, where traditional and local products can be found.

Wood Carving Workshop

Baan Tawai is the village of wood carving handicrafts, with teak carving, antique reproductions, gilding and inlays, and even full sets of furniture manufactured here. Visitors can try their own woodworking skills at one of the workshops. A number of patterns are available, such as an elephant, lotus or rose, and a skilled craftsman will act as your guide for the carving and smoothing of your work.

Lanna Lantern Workshop

The Mueang Sart Luang community is one of the best-known lantern-making areas in Northern Thailand, and a visit will demonstrate how the lanterns are made. The house and workshop of Mae Bua Lai are a busy production centre, and open to anyone who wishes to learn the art of making traditional lanterns. To take your own creation home with you is to have a memorable and practical souvenir of your Chiang Mai visit.

Silversmith Workshop

Visit the silver-clad Wat Sri Suphan before learning the silversmith craft at a workshop, with hands-on experience. The temple, with its murals, silver-clad images, and silver detailing inside and out is a remarkable sight, and the work has all been done by the craftsmen of this ancient silver-working community. The workshop lets you make your own silver pieces with the assistance of artists to guide you. Families with children are welcome.