The glittering temples of Chiang Mai’s moated Old Town are enchanting, and the buzzing Nimmanhaemin district is on the pulse when it comes to artisanal coffee and local designer boutiques—but leafy Wat Ket, delivering a bit of both, remains one of the loveliest spots in the city. There are many art galleries in the area, and there are restaurants by the Ping river that serve up khao sai noodles under the fairy lights of banyan tree. Boutique hotels in the area are also located here, some of which have been converted from villas dating back to a previous era.
The Ping Silhouette is inspired by a time even earlier, when this part was still a vibrant multicultural merchant district, dotted with Chinese style warehouses. Behind a façade of glazed tile roofs and antique French shutters lies a stone-paved courtyard where large glassless windows frame manicured bonsai trees and cosy tea nooks. A goldfish pond provides a calmer alternative to the busy markets. Chinese antiques, such as stone horses and ornamental doors, complete the theme. Most rooms have white and teal walls, with terraces looking out onto weeping trees and a lap pool of inky blue in the riverside gardens.
The café, where walls are stacked with chinoiserie teapots and blue-and-white ceramics, prepares breakfasts of Thai rice porridge and sweet treats such as pa tong go doughnuts served in bamboo steamer baskets. This is a striking addition to the local teakwood scene and fits perfectly in this quirky corner.
