Wandering Chiang Mai: Culture, Cuisine & a Cooking School

During our time in Chiang Mai, we stayed at Collection O Bupamontra Chiangmai. The hotel is located about a 15–20 minute walk from the Old Town, and it was perfect for our stay. The room had a comfortable bed, and the pool was a great bonus for cooling off after exploring the city. There’s a 7-Eleven just around the corner, along with a few small local eateries nearby. Next time, we might choose somewhere a little closer to the centre of the Old Town to make it easier to reach all corners more quickly. But if you have a bike or don’t mind a bit of walking, this location is a great option.

Day 1- Arrival and Sunday market

Our overnight train arrived in Chiang Mai around 12:10 PM, and we hopped into a taxi to head straight to our hotel. After a quick check-in and a light lunch from 7-Eleven, we cooled off with a swim in the hotel pool. Refreshed and recharged, we set out for the Sunday Night Market.

The market is absolutely massive and has everything! We sampled gyozas, sushi, egg grilled in banana leaf, and a few other tasty bites before finishing the night with a relaxing massage at Rungwara Thai Massage. It was the perfect way to end a long travel day — highly recommended!

Day 2- Temples, Culture, and Stunning Views

We started our morning with breakfast at Nan Saw Shan Food, a cosy little Burmese café near our hotel. The food was delicious — we both had Shan noodles (50 TBH per meal), followed by fresh smoothies from the shop next door.

Our temple-hopping began at Wat Sri Suphan, also known as the Silver Temple. Entry was 50 THB per person. While only men are allowed inside the main temple, it’s absolutely stunning from the outside — intricate, unique, and full of character. You can also see workers using the skills of repoussé and chasing metal and silver sheets or even try it yourself!

Next, we wandered through the beautiful grounds of Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, taking time to admire the different buildings and their rich details. Then we stopped at Wat Chedi Luang Varaviharn (entry 100 THB for two), and also visited the nearby Wat Phantao. Both sites were fascinating, and the architecture was breathtaking. While there, we had a lovely interaction with some young monks, who asked us about our travels and experiences in Chiang Mai. We later learned this was part of a cultural exchange program to help improve their English and understanding of other cultures!

From there, we visited Wat Chiang Man, then grabbed a taxi to Doi Suthep (500 THB for two people, including the return journey and waiting time). The drive up is quite windy, but the view is worth it. After climbing a short set of stairs, we paid 30 THB per person for entry and were rewarded with a stunning temple and panoramic views of Chiang Mai below.

We returned to the city with the same taxi and had dinner at It's Good Kitchen — great food, lovely service, and affordable prices. Highly recommend!

Day 3- Cooking class

On our third day, we joined a cooking class at Siam Garden Cooking School, and it was an absolute highlight of the trip. The experience started with a visit to a local market where we learned about key ingredients, followed by a tour of their on-site herb garden. We then dove into cooking: a soup, appetizer, homemade curry paste and curry, a main dish, and a dessert — all from scratch!

After the class, we relaxed at the hotel while a rainstorm passed through. Later in the evening, we had dinner at a small restaurant just around the corner and ended the day with some snacks from 7-Eleven before heading to bed.