We’ll start the evening by boarding a tuk-tuk, the mode of transportation famously used in Thailand. Then we’ll drive around the old city, taking in the walled, moated cultural heart of the city. We’ll learn about the centuries-old history of the city, how it was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom before it fell into the hands of the Burmese, before finally regaining independence again with the help of the King of Thonburi.

Next, we’ll stop at Wat Suan Dok, which literally translates to ‘flower garden temple’. Its name is derived from the location it was built, which was once used as a royal flower garden by a past ruler of Chiang Mai. The temple is known for its numerous white chedis and the 48-meter golden pagoda built in Sri Lankan style. We’ll admire the beautiful chedis and learn about the sacred Buddha relic – believed to be the shoulder bone of Buddha himself – before heading to our next stop.

This 14th-century temple is one of the older temples in the city and features a massive restored chedi with a Buddha image. The chedi also contains the ashes of several kings from the Mengrai dynasty. Admire the teak wood pavilion and the Lanna-style viharn before boarding the tuk-tuk and heading to the next destination.

After taking in the beauty of the temples, we’ll head on over to the Chang Phuak Gate night market, which is situated just outside the north gate of the old city. We’ll wander around the open-air night market and see hawkers cooking up a storm of delicious local delicacies and scrumptious street food. Your friendly Trip Guru will point out favorite local dishes you shouldn’t miss! After walking around Chang Phuak Gate, we’ll pass by other local markets such as Warorot Market and Ton Lam Yai Flower Market to witness the local life and night scene in the city.