The Thai Orchid Cookery School is the place to learn about Thai home-style cooking. You can decide on how much you want to learn, and how long you want to stay there. A demonstration about how to cook a certain dish is given, then you can try it yourself. They teach you how to prepare tasteful Thai food, as well as sharing the philosophy and culture of Thai cuisine.

There are many temples in Chiang Mai. It's impossible to visit the city and not see the Buddhist temples as you wander through the streets of Old Town. Wat Sum Pow, also called Wat Sam Phao, is one of the Buddhist temples built during the reign of the Mang Rai dynasty. This temple is an excellent example of architecture and decorations used by the first inhabitants of the area, called the Lanna.

The Tha Pae Gate is the entrance to the old walled city of Chiang Mai. It is a landmark structure and the venue of many public gatherings and religious processions all year round.
The Tha Pae Gate was built in 1296 during the reign of King Mengrai, the founder of the city of Chiang Mai. The eight main gates of the old city face a specific direction according to the eight compass points and each has an astrological faculty. The Tha Pae Gate faces east and has the astrological faculty of Mula or prosperity. Historically, it was the main gate that visiting monks, traders and diplomats had to pass to reach Chiang Mai.
Some important annual events that take place near Tha Pae gate are the annual Flower Carnival in February, the Songkarn or the Thai New year celebrations in April and the Loy Krathong festival. It is also a meeting point for rural people and the city folk. On Saturday nights a live band performs at the permanent stage on the square in front of Tha Pae Gate. Many stalls that form part of the walking street- Ratchadamnoen Road Sunday market are set up near the gate and stalls selling local delicacies provide food and drink for the hungry visitor.

The Old City of Chiang Mai is surrounded by an ancient moat and walls that were once its boundaries. Five of the old city bastions or Jaengs are still standing and bear witness to the historical events that shaped the city through the ages.
King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai laid the foundations of the city walls in 1296. The walls and the moat divide the old city from other parts of Chiang Mai today and the area is still a major trading area as it was during the reign of King Mengrai.
The Jaeng Katam is the first bastion as one goes towards the south of the main gate of the old city, the Ta Pei gate. It is also called the fish trap corner and is a spectacular sight when illuminated at night. The second bastion is the Jaeng Ku Ruang in the southwestern part of the old city. It is the best preserved among the bastions. The Jang Hua Rin in the northwestern corner of the old city was once the place from which waters from the crystal brook, Huai Kaeo were channeled to supply the city. The fourth bastion is the Jaeng Sri Phum in the northeastern part of the old city and was the first point of King Mengrai’s fortifications. The fifth and lesser known bastion is the Jaeng Thiphanet on the southwestern corner of the old city. The bastion is a ruin and is the least visited among the Old City Bastions.

Umbrellas have became the symbolic souvenirs of Thailand. Here they are made from paper, cotton and silk, and are decorated by local artists. At Umbrella Workshop, you will see the process of umbrella making, from start to finish. Everything is made by hand - not only the umbrella, but even the material it's made from. These umbrellas make very nice presents to take home.

The Night Bazaar is Chiang Mai’s shopper’s paradise with shops selling a range of products at pocket friendly prices and up market goods for the more discerning. It is a three block stretch of shops along the Chang Klan Road.
The Night Bazaar is the cheapest place for purchasing a range of products and tourist souvenirs in Thailand. One can buy antiques, Thai silk, fake Rolex watches, cheap luggage, video games and cheap cds and DVDs in the small shops that are found everywhere. It is also popular with tourists for the many establishments that offer services like camera shops, mobile phone shops, travel agents, internet cafes and tailoring. One can choose and purchase Thai silk and get a custom made suit stitched in one day. One can also get a portrait painted at the bazaar in traditional Thai attire. Most tourist souvenirs and handicrafts are mass produced but one can spot a unique object among them.
Notable buildings along the market are the Ven Ping Night Bazaar with two floors of shops selling authentic antiques, clothing and crafts. The Kalare Center building has a selection of restaurants serving traditional Thai and international cuisines. The Chang Klan Plaza is an indoor shopping center with high end stores and the Anusarn Market has eateries serving a variety of seafood dishes.