1. Chiang Mai: Tuk-Tuk Night Tour with Temples and Street Foods
Uncover the secrets of Chiang Mai at night on this city tour by tuk-tuk. Enjoy the beauty of the Wat Suan Dok and Wat Lok Moli temples (entrance included) and take in the atmosphere of the Warorot Market and Ton Lam Yai Flower Market. Start the evening by boarding a tuk-tuk, the mode of transportation famously used in Thailand. Drive around the Old City, taking in the historic walls and the moat in the cultural heart of the city. Learn the centuries-old history of the city. Find out how it was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom before it fell into the hands of the Burmese, before finally regaining independence again with the help of the King of Thonburi. Next, stop at Wat Suan Dok, which literally translates to ‘flower garden temple’. Its name is derived from the location it was built, which was once used as a royal flower garden by a past ruler of Chiang Mai. Explore the temple which is known for its numerous white chedis and its 48-meter golden pagoda built in the Sri Lankan style. Admire the beautiful chedis and learn about the sacred Buddha relic which is believed to be the shoulder bone of Buddha himself. Continue to Wat Lok Moli, a 14th-century temple which is one of the older temples in the city. Take in features like a massive restored chedi with a Buddha image. The chedi also contains the ashes of several kings from the Mengrai dynasty. Go to the the teak wood pavilion and the Lanna-style Buddhist monastery before boarding the tuk-tuk and zooming through the city to the vibrant Chang Phuak Gate Night Market. Wander around the open-air market and see hawkers cooking up a storm of delicious local delicacies and tasty street food. Get help from your driver with locating some favorite local dishes. After walking around Chang Phuak Gate, pass by other local markets such as Warorot Market and Ton Lam Yai Flower Market to soak up some of the local night life.