Wat Ketkaram

Chiang Mai's exalted river is Mae Ping. A community of Chinese traders and Western missionaries populated the eastern riverbank directly across from Talat Warorot. Today the neighbourhood is called Wat Ket, the nickname of the nearby temple, Wat Ketkaram. The temple was built in the 15th century and houses an eclectic museum of attic-like treasures.

If Th Charoenrat had footpaths, this area would rival the old city for its ancient ambience and tourist appeal. But speeding traffic claims the narrow space between buildings. Instead, it's best to dive deeper into the neighbourhood by going along one of the little lanes off Th Charoenrat and behind the temple.