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.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Chiang Mai is the seat of the Bishop of Chiang Mai. The Catholic diocese covers 27 parishes in North Thailand.
The first Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built in 1931 in Chiang Mai. The parish was elevated to an Apostolic Prefecture in 1959 and to the Diocese of Northern Thailand in 1965. The old church was replaced by a larger Cathedral to house the seat of the Bishop in 1965. The present structure was built in a modern style and was inaugurated on the 30th of October 1999.
The present church is a large brick modern building. The courtyard has a small shrine to the apparition of Mary at Lourdes. A series of brick arches lead to the intricately carved doors of the imposing and well maintained building. Daily mass is celebrated at the Cathedral in Thai. The English Mass is celebrated on Sundays. The parishioners consist of Thais, Asians, Europeans living in Chiang Mai, tourists and other visitors. Easter and Christmas are major celebrations at the Cathedral. At first the English Mass was held in a smaller chapel near the main Church Hall. The Thai congregation requested the bishop to say Mass in the main Church as the number of parishioners, conversant in English increased.

River Ping Palace Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in the area. Set on the banks of the river, not far from the Old Town of Chiang Mai, it's the city's hidden gem. This five star restaurant is housed in an old guest house. The restaurant offers tasty Thai dishes, which you can enjoy while overlooking the river and tropical garden. Great Thai coffee and mouth-watering Thai desserts are a house specialty.

Kuan Yin Palace, also called Kuan Yin Bodhisattavas, is actually a Chinese dragon temple. Tourists come here to take pictures of the huge dragon that stands at the entrance to the shrine. The palace impresses with its wide diversity of decorations and Buddha statues.

The Wat Chedi Liam is an ancient temple located in the city of Wiang Kum Kam that lies within the city limits of Chiang Mai. Its original name was Wat Kum Kam.
The Wat Chedi Liam was built by King Mengrai in 1287 at his capital cityat the time, Wiang Kum Kam. He later built Chiang Mai and shifted his capital. It remained an important temple even after the new city was built. It was abandoned after the Burmese invasion. In 1908, it was extensively renovated by a wealthy Burmese trader. In 1992, the temple was extensively renovated once again.
The Wat Chedi Liam has an early Mon Haripunchai design. It has five tiers that rise in the form of a pyramid. There are 60 niches with statues of the standing Buddha. They are said to commemorate the 60 wives of King Mengrai. The decorations of the exterior and interior of the main prayer hall have been carefully preserved. In 1908, a Burmese style spire was added and a Burmese chinthe was placed at each of the four corners. Except one of the standing Buddha statues the colors of the robes were changed to yellow in the Burmese style rather than the traditional white in other temples in Thailand. The Wat Chedi Liam is one of the finest examples of the Mon style Chedi architecture that was popular between the seventh and thirteenth centuries.

Wat Phaya Mengrai in Wiang Kum Kam, is the ancient ruined temple of King Mengrai. In 1288, King Mengrai changed the capital of his Lanna kingdom to this place, which had been considered a legend for many years. Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient town that is now on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Today, you can see the ruins of the ancient wall here. There are several ruined temples in the area, however the king's palace is still to be located, but thought to be on the site - somewhere.