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Chiang Mai: Holy ground for digital nomads
The capital of the ancient Lan Na Kingdom, Chiang Mai is today a haven for digital nomads.
Wat Phra Singh
Chiang Mai Old City, which is the part of the city inside the fortress wall that was constructed in the 13th century, is full of old Buddhist temples and several major historic sites. Near Tha Pae Gate, the fortress’s eastern gate, are several traditional markets grouped closely together. There are also many restaurants and bars near the Ping River that are known for their beautiful view. One of the best ways to get the most out of Chiang Mai is to simply wander through it, nomad- style, without being tied down to a particular district or place.
The sacred aura of the temple
In Chiang Mai Old City, each time you turn an alley corner, you are bound to see a Buddhist temple. The oldest is Wat Chiang Man, which was built in the same year that King Mengrai, the founder of the Lan Na Kingdom, designated Chiang Mai as his capital city. Wat Phra Singh is a famous temple in northern Thailand whose murals have significant cultural value for depicting the history of Lan Na. Wat Buppharam, which has a spire on the tip of its ridged roof, was constructed with Burmese architectural formats due to the influence of Myanmar’s occupation of Chiang Mai for approximately two centuries. If you spend enough time at the city’s temples, you may end up feeling physically and emotionally refreshed by their sacred aura.
Like an itinerant artist
The first thing visitors are greeted by at the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center (CACC) is the Three Kings Monument, which is positioned at the entrance and features King Mengrai and his friends and rulers of neighboring kingdoms, Kings Rhamkhamhaeng and Ngam Muang. Occasionally, residents pay their respects at the monument after placing flowers, incense, and a candle in front of it. At the CACC, visitors can see handicrafts, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art that reflect the cultures of ancient and contemporary Chiang Mai?a coexistence of the arts of the Lan Na Kingdom and the 21st century. TCDC(Thailand Creative & Design Center) Chiang Mai, a public learning center with many design-themed books, is popular with digital nomads as a quiet place to work or study.
The energy of the market
Once you pass through Tha Pae Gate, you will see Warorot Market, the largest market in northern Thailand. It consists of a three-story building that is full of shops selling everything from souvenirs to foodstuffs. Of the many items on display, you may want to choose a lanna skirt, which was worn widely in Thailand since the days of Lan Na. Comprised of several layers of cotton that are decorated with intricate designs, the lanna skirt is a comfortable and useful item for the foot traveler to have on hand. If you want a lanna skirt with a customized design, some shops sell plain cotton. The market is known locally as “Kad Luang,” which collectively refers to Warorot Market and Ton Lamyai, a nearby building that also houses a market.
Warorot Market
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