Set in the former Provincial Hall, a handsome Thai-colonial-style building from 1927, this museum provides an excellent primer on Chiang Mai history. Dioramas, photos, artefacts and audiovisual displays walk visitors through the key battles and victories in the Chiang Mai story, from the first settlements to the arrival of the railroad. Upstairs is a charming recreation of a wooden Lanna village.
The museum gift shop is exceptionally well stocked with lacquerware, jewellery and even metal false fingernails for the fon lep dance.
