Tha Phae Gate
SightsThe famous red-brick eastern gate of the 700-year-old walled city — the classic Chiang Mai photo, pigeons and all, and the start of the Sunday Walking Street.
Any time · best at sunset
DirectionsStep outside
Old Chiang Mai, on foot
You are in the heart of it — temples, markets and the river are all a short walk from our lane. Tap a place on the map to see how far it is.
Old Chiang Mai, on foot
Rompo Boutique
Illustrated map — not to scale. Times are approximate walking times from the hotel.
9min walk
Sunday Walking Street
MarketsEvery Sunday, Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate turns into a huge market of handicrafts, street food, music and temple-yard food courts.
Sundays · from about 4 pm
DirectionsChiang Mai Night Bazaar
MarketsBlocks of stalls along Chang Khlan Road selling silver, textiles, carvings and souvenirs — with Kalare and Anusarn food courts for dinner right next door.
Every evening
DirectionsAnusarn & Kalare Markets
FoodOpen-air food courts in the Night Bazaar area — grilled seafood, Northern Thai dishes, fresh fruit shakes and live music.
Evenings
DirectionsWarorot Market (Kad Luang)
MarketsChiang Mai's great local market. Locals shop here for Northern snacks like sai oua and nam prik noom, dried fruit, fabrics and household goods.
Daily · morning to evening
DirectionsTon Lamyai Flower Market
MarketsBeside Warorot along the river — a riot of jasmine garlands, orchids and marigolds. Beautiful in the evening.
Open late into the night
DirectionsPing River & Iron Bridge
SightsStroll the riverside, cross the old Iron Bridge or Nawarat Bridge, and settle into a riverside café or restaurant as the lights come on.
Late afternoon
DirectionsWat Upakut
TemplesA peaceful neighbourhood temple just a few minutes from our lane — lovely for a quiet morning walk.
Early morning
DirectionsWat Buppharam
TemplesOn Tha Phae Road, with a beautiful old teak viharn — a fitting neighbour for a teak-wood hotel.
Daytime
DirectionsWat Chedi Luang
TemplesThe vast ruined chedi in the centre of the Old City, once home of the Emerald Buddha. Magical in the late afternoon light.
Daytime · monk chat in the afternoon
DirectionsWat Phra Singh
TemplesOne of the most revered temples in Northern Thailand, with classic Lanna architecture and murals. A short tuk-tuk ride or a long, lovely walk.
Daytime
DirectionsStreet food on Tha Phae Road
FoodSmall family shops and evening carts serving khao soi, noodle soups, roti and fresh juices — ask our team for their favourites.
Morning & evening
DirectionsWat Chiang Man
TemplesThe oldest temple in the city, founded with Chiang Mai itself around 1296. Look for the chedi held up by a ring of stone elephants.
Daytime
DirectionsThree Kings Monument & museums
SightsThe heart of the Old City, honouring the three kings who founded Chiang Mai. The City Arts & Cultural Centre and Lanna Folklife Museum are right here.
Museums open daytime, closed Mondays
DirectionsWat Phan Tao
TemplesA rare all-teak viharn beside Wat Chedi Luang, dark wood and quiet gardens — the perfect partner to a teak-wood hotel.
Daytime · lovely at dusk
DirectionsMuay Thai night
SightsSeveral boxing stadiums around Tha Phae Gate hold Muay Thai nights. Ask our front desk which one is on tonight.
Evenings · show nights vary
DirectionsBan Haw Mosque & halal street
FoodA historic Chinese-Muslim mosque near the Night Bazaar. The small soi around it is known for halal khao soi, beef noodles and roti.
Daytime & evening
DirectionsWat Ket Karam & old riverside
SightsCross the river to the old Wat Ket neighbourhood — a temple with a quirky little folk museum, old wooden shophouses and riverside cafés.
Afternoon
DirectionsA short ride away
Beyond the Old City
Our front desk can arrange drivers, tours and tickets for all of these.
Doi Suthep Temple
Chiang Mai's golden mountain temple and city views. Go early morning for cool air and fewer people.
Nimman Road
The trendy side of town — cafés, design shops, One Nimman and MAYA mall.
Saturday Walking Street
Wualai Road's Saturday night market, famous for silverwork and the silver temple, Wat Sri Suphan.
Wat Umong
A forest temple with 700-year-old tunnels, a lake and peaceful trees at the foot of the mountain.
Bo Sang Umbrella Village
Watch artisans make and hand-paint the famous paper umbrellas of Chiang Mai.
Ethical elephant sanctuaries
Feed and walk with elephants at sanctuaries that don't offer riding. We can help you choose and book.
Mae Kampong village
A cool mountain village of wooden houses, tea leaves, coffee and a waterfall.
Doi Inthanon
Thailand's highest mountain — twin royal pagodas, cloud forest trails and waterfalls.
Things to do
Experience Lanna
Thai cooking class
Shop at a local market, then cook your own khao soi and curry.
Thai massage
Traditional massage and foot massage shops are all along Tha Phae Road.
Khantoke dinner
A Lanna dinner of shared dishes with traditional dance and music.
Monk chat
Talk with young monks about Buddhism and daily temple life at Wat Chedi Luang.
Old City by bicycle
Flat, quiet lanes and a temple on almost every corner — best in the early morning.
Lantern festival
In November the sky fills with lanterns. Book early — it's the busiest time of year.
Why Chiang Mai
What Chiang Mai is famous for
01
Doi Suthep
The golden temple on the mountain above the city — climb the naga staircase for views over Chiang Mai.
02
Yi Peng & Loy Krathong
Each November the city glows with lanterns and floating krathongs on the Ping River — Tha Phae Gate is at the heart of it.
03
Songkran
Thai New Year in April — the moat around the Old City becomes the biggest water fight in the country.
04
Handicrafts
Silverwork, woodcarving, celadon, paper umbrellas from Bo Sang and hand-woven textiles from the hill tribes.
05
Café culture
Coffee grown in the northern hills, roasted in hundreds of independent cafés across the city.
06
Mountains & nature
Day trips to Doi Inthanon (Thailand's highest peak), waterfalls, ethical elephant sanctuaries and jungle treks.
Must-try food
Eat like a local
Our menu changes with the market. Ask our team for today's specials, vegetarian options or less-spicy versions of any dish.
The Rompo Kitchen- Khao Soiข้าวซอย
Coconut curry noodles topped with crispy noodles — the dish of Chiang Mai.
- Sai Ouaไส้อั่ว
Grilled herb sausage with lemongrass and chilli.
- Khan Tokeขันโตก
A traditional Lanna dinner of shared dishes served on a low pedestal tray.
- Nam Prik Noomน้ำพริกหนุ่ม
Smoky roasted green chilli dip with sticky rice and vegetables.
- Khao Kha Mooข้าวขาหมู
Slow-braised pork leg on rice — try the famous stall by Chang Phueak Gate.
- Gaeng Hang Layแกงฮังเล
Rich, mild Burmese-influenced curry with ginger and tamarind.
Getting around
Easy ways to explore
- Walk
Tha Phae Gate, the Night Bazaar, markets and the river are all on foot.
- Grab / Bolt
Easy, fixed prices shown in the app — great for Nimman and the airport.
- Red truck (songthaew)
Shared red trucks go almost everywhere. Tell the driver where you're going and agree the price first.
- Tuk-tuk
Fun for short hops at night — always agree the fare before you get in.
When to visit
Chiang Mai through the year
Cool & dry Nov – Feb
Sunny days, cool nights. Lantern festival in November, Flower Festival in February. The most popular time to visit.
Hot Mar – May
Hot afternoons and the Songkran water festival in April. March–April can be hazy from seasonal burning.
Green season Jun – Oct
Short tropical showers, lush green mountains, full waterfalls and fewer crowds.
Your teak room in old Chiang Mai is waiting
Book directly with us for the best rate and a warm welcome.