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Slides
Hidden gem on the rise: Chang Moi
On the eastern side of the square, between hostels like Stamps and Sylvis and the river, you’ll find the neighborhood called Chang Moi. You might have guessed it already — 'chang' means elephant, and 'moi' means small. So: Little Elephant. If you look at the map and squint a bit, you might even recognize the shape of an elephant’s head — hence the name. The area, centered around Chang Moi Road, has been on the rise in recent years. Every month, new shops, restaurants, and coffee spots seem to pop up.
Along the riverside, you’ll find Chinatown with the Warorot Market — a truly local market where Thai people shop for fabrics, dried fruits, fresh fish, flowers, and more. In the evening, the area transforms into one big nail studio: dozens of young women doing the nails of... dozens of other young women. It’s especially popular with Thai students and younger crowds. Some of the coffee shops are set in raw concrete spaces, totally Instagram-worthy — and you'll see people taking photos there all day long.
That said, Chiang Mai’s Chinatown is just a few streets — not quite the same scale as Bangkok's. For a fun stroll, start at Brewginning — a place full of surprises — and walk all the way down Chang Moi Road toward Chinatown and the river. In the evening, cross the river via the pedestrian bridge: on both sides you’ll find a dozen or so restaurants with great views of the water.
A bit further south, on the edge of Chang Moi, you’ll find the Night Bazaar — definitely set up for tourists, but still pleasant, with a few nice food courts. However, if you’ve already visited the Sunday Night Market or the Saturday Night Market, you won’t find much new here. It’s a classic case of same same.
