Northern Thailand · EVENING EXPERIENCES
The heat drops around six and the city gets going again. These 15 cover the night markets, the boxing, the khantoke tables and the evening cooking sittings, each priced and timed.
Visit Wat Umong’s forest tunnels, then climb 309 steps to Doi Suthep for sunset, monk chanting, and Chiang Mai’s lights. A guide such as TomTam, Boon, or Happy adds cultural context, while small groups, glass water bottles, and optional hotel pickup keep the evening easy.
“I really apprieciate buddism history told by the guide”
Start at 7 p.m. with hotel pickup, then visit Chiang Mai markets and a street-food restaurant with a guide such as Goal, Jay, or Chai. Expect roughly 18 to 20 tastings, Northern Thai specialties, desserts, water, and a small group capped at eight. Bring a serious appetite.
“First and foremost: Chai is an awesome guide! He ist super polite, takes care of everybody and knows a lot about the city and its (food) culture. Second, the food is amazing! We tried out new things we would not have come by ourselves. The tour started on time and everything was well managed. Totally recommend!”
Join Galangal Cooking Studio for a five-hour evening class led by instructors such as New and Aoy. Shop at a local market, visit an organic garden, prepare four Thai dishes plus curry paste, and eat what you make. Hotel pickup covers much of central Chiang Mai.
“We had a really great time with our cooking teachers New and Oi. They taught us a lot about the local dishes and everything tastet absolutely amazing. The room was air conditioned and the group was really nice. We had a great time. Pick-up from our hotel was also smooth.”
Join a small group of up to 10 for 150 minutes of Chiang Mai street food, guided by local hosts such as Goal, Jay, or Chai. Visit at least two evening markets, try northern Thai dishes, coconut dumplings, noodles, desserts, and learn useful Thai ordering phrases.
“We have never had so much delicious food on a food tour as we did in Chiang Mai. Mr Goal, our guide was excellent, his knowledge, kindness and hospitality would be hard to beat. This has been the best value for money of our holiday so far.”
Watch live Muay Thai at Kalare Night Bazaar Boxing Stadium in Chiang Mai. Your one-seat ticket covers an evening of traditional Wai khru ram muay and hard-hitting bouts, usually six competitions from 9:00 to 11:30 PM. Arrive early to find the stadium among the market stalls.
“2nd row ring side, long show but very entertaining lots of knockouts”
Visit forested Wat Umong and golden Doi Suthep after dark on a 3.5-hour Chiang Mai tour. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned van, climb 306 steps or pay 20 baht for the funicular, and return to your downtown hotel with an English-speaking guide.
“Short drive to the first Wat Umong and interesting tour. Came for the Buddhas but was mesmerized by the bats and chickens. Then long and winding drive to Doi Suthep. Worth it for the city view, gorgeous temple and no crowds. It took about 4 hours and was a good inexpensive tour we booked last minute.”
Start with hotel pickup at 3:30 pm, then visit Somphet Market with chef Perm before heading to an organic farm. Cook six Thai dishes at your own station, watch papaya salad and mango sticky rice demonstrations, and eat your meal afterward.
“Chef very nice! Very funny! Delicious recipes! We leave full and super happy! Very nice group!Auto-translated”
Ride 12 to 14 km through Chiang Mai’s Old City with guides such as Kitty, Mai, Farm, or T. Visit Tha Phae Gate, Wat Chedi Luang, historic monuments, temples, and a local market. Choose a cooler evening ride or a quieter morning outing.
“Farm our guide was full of local knowledge and very attentive and safely conscious on the busier roads looking after us well. I learnt a lot about the temples and local knowledge plus the food market was great too.”
Cycle about 12 kilometers through Chiang Mai’s flat Old City with an English-speaking guide. Visit Tha Phae Gate, Wat Chedi Luang, the Three Kings Monument, historic temples, and a local market. Morning tours visit a fresh market, while night departures focus on street food and evening atmosphere.
“We did this on our first day in Chiang Mai, it was absolutely amazing! The tour guide we had was so much fun, taught us loads about Chiang Mai, took loads of photos and took us on a really cool route. We saw areas of Chiang Mai we wouldn’t never have seen. Back streets, where all the local food markets were (we had the best coconut we’ve had our whole trip here), he got us some fresh fruit from the market. We had a small group of just 3 of us, which was perfect it felt really personal. He took us down a really beautiful canal and did a little…”
Ride between Chiang Mai’s illuminated temples with an English-speaking guide, then explore the Night Bazaar with a simple street-food meal and dessert. The small-group tour starts at 6:30 pm, visits Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Lok Molee, and ends at the market.
“English was poor and could not understand so tour was waste of time Great that he waited for us but week afterwards”
Spend an afternoon and evening with Siam Garden Cooking School, visiting a local market and organic garden before preparing six Thai dishes. Choose your own appetizer, curry, stir-fry, soup, and dessert, with instructors such as Gift and Fonnie guiding the class. Pickup is included from Chiang Mai Old Town.
“Food was good and they prepped a lot of the ingredients to make it efficient and allow everyone to pick their own menu. You don't learn a lot about cooking techniques though if that is something your curious about. The tour of the herb gardRead more”
Start at 3:30 pm with a market visit, then cook Thai dishes at Galangal Cooking Studio with a professional instructor. You prepare four dishes, learn about herbs and ingredients, eat what you make, and receive a 40-page recipe PDF. Hotel pickup is available from select hotels.
“Great fun cooking class just outside historic Chiang Mai, very well organised, delicious recipes and a great teacher.”
Start with hotel pickup around 5:45 to 6 PM, then paddle from Wat Taa-Luk toward Nawarat Bridge with an English, German, or Thai guide. Expect an easy 6 km trip, gentle current, wildlife, riverside music, and glowing Chiang Mai views. Guides such as Jo Jo, AJ, Aidon, and A have earned warm praise.
“A great, casual trip down a beautiful river. We saw lots of bats and ducks, and even an owl up close. The kids really enjoyed it because the current was very gentle and easy for them to navigate. The tour begins in a natural forested area and then continues into the city where you can see the beautiful city lights on the water.”
Ride 12 to 14 easy kilometers through Chiang Mai’s Old City with a private English or Thai-speaking guide. Visit Tha Phae Gate, Wat Chedi Luang, the Three Kings Monument, temple lanes, and a local market. Night rides add cool air, fewer crowds, and beautifully lit wats.
“Our family of four with two girls (14 and 12) had a super tour by bike with Don. We visited a number of sites in the city and as it was only the four of us in the group he was happy to adjust it to match our interests. Travelling by bike was safe and comfortable with good quality equipment and great care guiding by Don. He was also great fun to spend time with and very knowledgeable. A great experience and highly recommended -thank you.”
Head from Chiang Mai to Grandma’s organic farm for a 4 pm cooking class with your own station. Pick herbs, visit the chicken coop and mushroom hut, then prepare five Thai dishes, including mango sticky rice. Instructors such as Kiki, Mac, Joy, Anne, Brian, and Garnet have earned praise for clear, friendly teaching.
“Incredible experience with Mac. He was patient and knowledgeable and the grounds were lovely. The food was all fresh and delicious”
Pick a mountain, a market or a kitchen.
