Nimman & The Art Side
Chiang Mai's contemporary art scene is small, serious and mostly clustered on the western and eastern edges of the city. This day pairs the design district with the province's best museum.
An in-city day, written to be done on two wheels. Inside the moat a small scooter is faster, cheaper and far easier to park than a car, and several of these lanes are closed to cars anyway. There are no distances here on purpose: you park once and walk.
The day
- 1
One Nimman
A brick-built plaza of independent shops, a bell tower and a courtyard used for markets and events. Commercial, well made, and the easiest introduction to the district.
2 hrs · free
Wikimedia Commons →FredTC · CC BY-SA 4.0 🚲 5 min - 2
Nimmanhaemin sois
The numbered lanes running off the main road hold galleries, studios, small labels and a very high concentration of coffee. Ride slowly and stop when something looks interesting; that is the whole method.
2 hrs · freeWikimedia Commons →Setawut · CC BY 4.0 🚲 30 min - 3
MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum
Out in San Kamphaeng, in a converted warehouse behind a mirrored-tile façade. A serious collection of Thai and Southeast Asian contemporary work, thoughtfully hung. The single best indoor half day in the province. ☔
2–3 hrs · entry fee
Tourism Directory →Ministry of Tourism & Sports · Ministry of Tourism & Sports, Thailand 🚲 10 min - 4
Getting around
The MAIIAM leg is a genuine ride out on the San Kamphaeng road, sealed and easy but busy with traffic. Both museums have parking. Nimman itself is best on two wheels.
