Old Clock Tower

Standing in the heart of Chiang Rai's old town near Kad Luang Market, this older clock tower is a genuine piece of local history that remains functional today. While Chiang Rai's more famous golden clock tower draws the larger crowds, this one offers something arguably more rewarding, an authentic, unhurried corner of the city where everyday life plays out around a working landmark.

The real draw here is what happens in the afternoon and evening, when the junction around the tower transforms into a bustling open-air market. Vendors set up stalls selling fresh produce, raw meats, ready-to-eat local dishes, drinks, and smoothies at very reasonable prices. It is the kind of market that serves locals as much as visitors, giving the area a genuinely lived-in atmosphere that is harder to find at more polished attractions. The surrounding streets, with their traditional shophouses, add further character to the experience.