Chiang Mai Riverside Place guide

The Ping River or Chiang Mai Riverside is one of the best nightlife areas where you can either party it up or go for a romantic dinner. The latter is more popular during the early evening hours for the slow, classy and elegant atmosphere. 

Do: Embark on a River Dinner Cruise or Walk along the water and explore by the twinkling lights. Cross the bridge, or simply stroll the streets packed with Thai foods and delicacies. There are also shopping areas near the river worth exploring, plus several restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Nightlife: There are several nightlife areas and outdoor spots to choose from for fun and entertainment at the riverside. The Good View and The Riverside are among the more popular outdoor restaurants beside the water that combine music and delicious food. 

• The Deck 1 is a well-designed restaurant with soft music and delicious local fare. 
  
  
• If you want to socialize, drop by the Bus Bar beside the iron bridge, where drinks and special dishes are served mostly for groups in a unique setting. 

Restaurants that bring in performers for live music usually start filling up at around 7:00pm, while closing times vary from 2:00am to 3:00am during the summer months. The downside of this area is that most of the establishments around such as restaurants, hotels, as well as some outdoor activities are usually affected by the tide during rainy season. 

How to get there

• If you’re coming from the Old City of Chiang Mai or are within the famous Night Bazaar, you can walk on foot or take a tuk-tuk to the Ping River. 
  
  
• You can also ride a taxi the short distance to get to the river. 

The good thing about the location of the Ping River is that it is strategically close to the finest hotels in Chiang Mai. The river is also connected to Tha Phae Road, which is also connected to the city’s main roads.