The markets of Chiang Mai by samlor

The Markets of Chiang Mai by Samlor

The Iron Bridge and Ancient Lanna House

This is a private tour. You will have to arrange your transfer to Wat Loi Kroh yourself. Here your guide and samlor driver will be waiting for you. After a brief introduction and briefing, it is time to start your Chiang Mai Markets Tour by samlor. This morning we will visit two popular and interesting markets of Chiang Mai. We leave the temple and head for the Ping River. Our first brief stop will be at the Ancient Lanna House, one of the oldest houses in Chiang Mai. We‘ll cross the Ping River via the Iron Bridge, a bridge that is not as old as it looks….

The San Pakoy Market and Wat Ket Museum

Our next destination is the San Pakoy market, one of our favorite markets where very few tourists go. We walk around this small, very local market and taste some of the typical Thai delicacies. We’ll chat with some of the vendors before we get back in our samlors. This market is the social center of the neighborhood. Everybody knows each other.

After this, we cross the main road and pedal our way through small alleys in the direction of the historic Wat Ket neighborhood. Most of the first Western visitors settled in this area. We briefly stop at the Bain compound, formerly the offices of the Borneo Company Ltd. Next stop is the Wat Ket Karam temple, which houses a fascinating museum with old pictures of Chiang Mai and artifacts*. Jack Bain, son of William Bain, the last manager of the Borneo Company, founded this seldom-visited but fascinating museum.

*The Wat Ket Museum is closed for renovations

Kad Luang and Thapae Road

From Wat Kat Karaam, we will continue on foot for a short while. We will cross the Ping River in 2016 restored Chansom Memorial Bridge that will bring us right into the Tonlamyai Market and then into the Warorot Market. Locals know these markets as Kad Luang, which means “big market” in Thai. Walking through this complex, you will understand where this name comes from. Kad Luang is undoubtedly the most famous and colorful fresh food market in Chiang Mai.

We’ll taste some of the local delicacies and breathe in the atmosphere of this fantastic market.  Then we get back in our samlors for the final ride back to Thapae Gate, where the tour ends. Here we say goodbye to the drivers. Thanks very much for joining this tour and supporting the samlor community of Chiang Mai. You can find more things to do in Chiang Mai you will here.