Wua Lai Road, Chiang Mai

Wua Lai Road runs south of the Old City, and the district covers the bars, massage shops and markets along it. It is known for the Saturday Walking Street market, a long street of stalls. It is a short ride from the Old City rather than a walk.

Quiet most nights and lively on market evenings. The Saturday Walking Street fills the road with stalls, food and crowds, while the bars and massage shops along it are more local than touristy. There is no red-light strip. It suits an easy night with a mixed crowd.

No. Wua Lai lists no red-light hub and no gogo or beer bars. The adult side is a few nightclubs, including Gold Star Club and Karaoke, and 12 massage shops. Loi Kroh Road on the other side of the Old City is the proper bar strip.

Of 36 places, 17 are bars, 12 are massage shops, 3 are nightclubs, 2 are markets and 2 are attractions. The markets and attractions include the Wua Lai Saturday Walking Street and a cultural center. Bars include Travelers Arms and Jethro's Bar.

Wua Lai is smaller and more local, with 36 listings against 201, and has the Saturday market instead of a bar strip. Loi Kroh is the busy center for bars and oil-massage shops. Choose Wua Lai for a market evening and Loi Kroh for a punting one.

Staying here is quieter and cheaper than the center, though you will ride to the main bar strips. If it is a Saturday, start at the walking street and have a drink at a local bar. Ask about the guest policy before booking a room.

By red songthaew, taxi, Grab or Bolt from the Old City, which is a short ride away. On market evenings the road closes to traffic, so you may be dropped at the end and walk in. Agree a songthaew fare first.

Crowds and closures. Market evenings are busy, so keep valuables in a front pocket, and expect the road to close to cars. Find your ride home before the crowds thin out. Check what a massage shop offers before you go in.