Date at Khlong Mae Kha Chiang Mai at night.

Khlong Mae Kha, Chiang Mai a Japanese Vibe Just Around the Corner If you want to experience Japan without traveling far, you can find it right here in Chiang Mai! If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you can practice your travel plans in Chiang Mai first. I recommend visiting at night when it looks stunning, and the best part is that it’s located in the city.

Khlong Mae Kha has become a popular tourist spot for some time now as a new destination. Last December, we had the opportunity to return home to Pai before heading back to Pattaya, I planned to explore some attractions close to the Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station since our bus was scheduled for around 10 PM. I searched for places to visit for a while, and we finally decided on Khlong Mae Kha.

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Why Visit Khlong Mae Kha at Night?

Since My girlfriend birthday is coming up, I planned to take them shopping for a gift. I also wanted to buy a souvenir for My girlfriend mother. I heard that Klong Mae Kha sells souvenirs, so I thought it would be the perfect place to go. That day, we had a bus ticket back to Pattaya around 10 PM. After seeing photos from our friends who visited Klong Mae Kha during the day and at night, we decided that a nighttime visit would be better because they decorated the area with beautiful lights. We were staying near the Arcade Bus Station in Chiang Mai, which made it convenient. By the way, I want to recommend a place to stay—it belongs to a friend of mine, and I remember it should be a hotel owned by a relative of theirs. INN Kham Apartment After checking out, I left my bags at the hotel. Now it’s time to go explore!

Traveling to Khlong Mae Kha

The journey from Arcade Transport to Khlong Mae Kha is about 4.4 kilometers. My girlfriend and I decided to walk. Many people might think that’s too far, but we thought it was fine for the return trip. If you’re planning a similar trip, I recommend calling Bolt or Grab, or using the red truck or tuk-tuk services around Arcade. The fare from Arcade to Khlong Mae Kha should be around 50 baht for the red truck. I base this on my experience as a local from Chiang Mai.

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Opening Hours: Open daily from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Coordinates: 9 Sridonchai Road, Haiya Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai.

Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2n2cVoFEEyx7LqPk7

After walking for a while, I started to feel hungry and happened to see a restaurant across from Wat Chang Khong Kamphaeng Din Road, Restaurant Name Tam Nuea, Krua Ban Dong. I’m not sure if it’s still open, but the Isaan food is amazing! After filling up, we can continue our journey.

Walking Tour of Khlong Mae Kha Chiang Mai

We walked until we reached the Mae Kha Rakan Bridge, which is the starting point for popular attractions like Klong Mae Kha in Chiang Mai. As I mentioned, visiting at night offers a beautiful view adorned with lights and Lanna lanterns. The round-trip walk along the riverbank is about 1 kilometer. On both sides of the river, there are shops selling various souvenirs. One highlight for us was the adorable cats that came up to be petted. Another highlight was Chiang Mai beer, so we couldn’t resist having some! After walking for a while, I decided to buy a silver necklace as a gift for our trip and a traditional northern Thai sarong as a souvenir for my mom to wear when she goes to make merit.

Mission to greet cats at Khlong Mae Kha

1. Is the cat lying down to guard or just lying across the path?

2. ‘Dang Deng’ works to earn money to buy mackerel.

3. The little black one (Nong Dam) needs sunscreen; they should be great at being affectionate.

4. Two Soldiers, Runners by the Canal.

5. Little Taney is sitting still, but it’s the hardest to photograph. It doesn’t show its face and just makes little noises.

6. The owner of the shop is calm and composed.

After reaching the end of the path, we decided to walk back. Yes, we walked back, and surprisingly, the person next to me didn’t complain at all! Here’s a little information: I’d like to share how the Mae Kha Canal transformed from a polluted waterway into a tourist attraction.

Khlong Mae Kha Canal From a Polluted Waterway to a Tourist Attraction.

Khlong Mae Kha one of the ancient symbols of Chiang Mai, has undergone significant changes in recent years. From an old canal that lacked maintenance, it has transformed into a beautiful, clean green space today. This serves as an example of sustainable community development that has brought Klong Mae Kha back to life.

The Mae Kha Canal is located in the heart of Chiang Mai. It has a long history dating back to the Lanna Kingdom, serving as a waterway for drainage and connecting communities in the past. However, over the years, the canal faced pollution and degradation, becoming an overlooked area for decades. Thanks to the collaboration between the community and local agencies, the Mae Kha Canal has been revitalized with new landscaping, lighting, and trees, transforming it into an attractive tourist destination and recreational space once again.