When art is not merely something to be seen, but a living expression of life, culture, and people who come together to complete its beauty

Route 5: Soul of Craft & Community

(Soul of Craft & Community)

The “Soul of Craft & Community” route invites travelers to experience the essence of art and local life in Chiang Rai through artists’ homes, galleries, and learning centers that preserve cultural roots while creating contemporary craftsmanship. This route reflects the deep connection between people and craft traditions passed down through generations, while revealing the power of communities that use art as a tool to tell their stories and create tangible, lasting value.

This route is ideal for those who wish to understand Chiang Rai through craftsmanship—art students, researchers, media professionals, folk art enthusiasts, as well as travelers seeking a warm, meaningful journey that genuinely connects with local communities.

Five Destinations at the Heart of the Route

Stop 1: Tai Yuan Art Gallery
A gallery that tells the story of the Tai Yuan people through diverse styles of painting, including portraiture, everyday life, religious beliefs, and imaginative works. This space serves as an important cultural learning center for the community, offering visitors insight into the history, charm, and wisdom of the Tai Yuan people through living art. It is especially suited for those interested in Lanna cultural arts and community-based painting.

Stop 2: Hang Pui Art Space
A contemporary art space that encourages questioning and the exchange of ideas through experimental and modern exhibitions by emerging artists. As a key hub for artistic dialogue in Chiang Rai, it opens its doors to youth, artists, and designers, allowing art to remain dynamic and to grow alongside society and the people who engage with it.

Stop 3: Ban Singhakai
A learning space that integrates art with social issues, connecting knowledge of disaster awareness, safety, and community coexistence with exhibitions by renowned artists. Ban Singhakai functions as a center for activities, exhibitions, and workshops, enabling visitors to learn about both social issues and art simultaneously. Here, art plays a genuine and active role in serving society.

Stop 4: Ban Sala Khamchan Yano
A long-standing center for the preservation of traditional Lanna wood carving. Khamchan Yano, a local master craftsman, has inherited these skills from his ancestors and continues to pass them on to more than twenty households within the community. Visitors can observe the entire wood-carving process from start to finish, engage in conversation with the artist, and admire works that deeply reflect the Lanna worldview. This is living craft—kept alive in the hands of real people within a real community.

Stop 5: Sawan Bon Din – Tea House & Farmstay
A tea café and farmstay offering a calm and simple atmosphere amid natural gardens. The space also serves as a learning center focused on tea culture and a lifestyle that connects nature with creativity. Warm, minimalist design makes it ideal for relaxation—reading, light work, or enjoying tea in a peaceful setting. This destination beautifully weaves together tranquility, art, and everyday life, making it one of Chiang Rai’s most harmonious retreats.