How to Shop Chiang Mai’s Markets—And Always Leave With Something Unexpected

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I don’t usually shop when I travel, but Chiang Mai makes it hard to resist. However, in my humble opinion, the markets in Chiang Mai may just be the best traditional and artisan markets in Asia. The first time I went, I told myself I wouldn’t buy anything. An hour later, I had elephant pants, a carved wooden elephant, and a handwoven bag over my shoulder. I hadn’t planned on shopping, but the colors, textures, and small conversations pulled me in. One market turned into three. One evening turned into a weekend. If you’re like me—more browser than buyer—the markets in Chiang Mai will surprise you.

Table of Contents

• Night Markets (Best for Food, Souvenirs, and Atmosphere)
• Walking Streets (Best for Crafts and Local Culture)
• Weekend Artisan and Farmers Markets (Best for Organic, Local, and Handmade)
• Traditional Markets (Best for Everyday Chiang Mai Life)
• Artisan Villages and Boutique Shops (Best for Culture, Design, and Gifts)
• Specialty Markets
• Final Thoughts

Night Markets (Best for Food, Souvenirs, and Atmosphere)

Big C Night Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Th F Sa, 4 PM–10 PM
This one’s held in a parking lot behind a supermarket. It’s all utility and fluorescent lighting. I went for fruit and ended up eating grilled fish at a folding table. There’s no charm, but plenty of life. People come here to eat, not pose. Expect grilled meats, smoothies, and very affordable clothing. This isn’t one of my favorite markets, but it’s very popular with locals.

Khlong Mae Kha Night Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 3 PM–10 PM
The canal is lined with local vendors selling beautiful handmade crafts, Thai street food, and even Chiang Mai’s own craft beer. This revitalized riverside market offers a tranquil setting with Japanese-inspired decor, including lantern-lit bridges and floral displays. Stalls line the canal, selling Thai souvenirs, hill tribe crafts, and a variety of street food. Meanwhile, many residents have transformed their homes into cafes and shops, contributing to a community-driven atmosphere. The market is pedestrian-friendly, making it ideal for a leisurely evening stroll.

Lang Mor Night Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 5 PM–11 PM
Next to Chiang Mai University. Trendy clothes, phone cases, and cheap eats. Geared toward students. Lang Mor Night Market is located close to Chiang Mai University. I found it on accident while walking home. It’s young, loud, and full of knockoff sunglasses and spicy fried things on sticks. It doesn’t have much greenery, but the buzz of scooters and chatter gives it energy. I bought nothing—but I stayed an hour just watching.

Night Bazaar

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 5 PM–12 AM
Touristy but vibrant. You’ll find textiles, silver jewelry, soaps, and cheap foot massages. Great for a casual stroll, snacks, and bargain hunting. This was my first market. It’s big and chaotic, but the chaos feels welcoming. Buildings here are boxy and utilitarian, lit by glowing signs and steam from the food carts. I remember standing under a string of faded lights, trying grilled squid for the first time. It’s not charming, but it’s alive—and that’s what brought me back the next night.

Ploen Ruedee Night Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 6 PM–12 AM
Ploen Ruedee Night Market is more curated than the Night Bazaar. It’s known for food trucks, craft beer, and live music. It’s a good place to sit, eat, and unwind. This market is located right behind the Night Bazaar and feels like an outdoor party. There are fairy lights, beer stands, and wooden stalls painted in soft pastels. The layout feels open, like it was made for conversation. I came for a smoothie, stayed for the live music, and left with a linen robe I didn’t need—but still wear.

Walking Streets (Best for Crafts and Local Culture)

San Kamphaeng Road Walking Street

📍 Google Map
🕒 Saturday, 3 PM–9 PM
San Kamphaeng Road Walking Street is located thirty minutes outside the city. The road is wide, the pace is slower. You pass rice fields to get there, and the town feels like it’s held onto something the city lost. I bought a cotton scarf dyed with indigo. It still smells faintly of smoke and dye. Great for textiles, cotton goods, and traditional snacks.

Sunday Walking Street

📍 Google Map
🕒 Sunday, 4 PM–10 PM
The Sunday Walking Street is located on Rachadamnoen Road. We’ve walked the whole thing a few times—from Tha Phae Gate to the end. It snakes through the old town, past temples and shop houses. The stone beneath your feet shifts from smooth to cracked. The air smells like incense and sweet fried bananas. I saw a woman paint bookmarks with a single brushstroke. I didn’t buy anything that time, but I still think about her hands. It’s packed but exciting. Handmade textiles, snacks, and souvenirs. Arrive early to beat the crowds.

Wua Lai Walking Street

📍 Google Map
🕒 Saturday, 4 PM–10 PM
More relaxed than the Sunday Walking Market. Known for silver crafts and quieter browsing. The houses here are older, with wood-carved doors and open porches. I had a coconut ice cream and watched a man polish a tray with his bare hands. It’s the kind of place where you feel safe walking slowly.

Weekend Artisan and Farmers Markets (Best for Organic, Local, and Handmade)

Bamboo Family Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Saturday–Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM
Bamboo Family Market is shaded by tall bamboo, and the wind through the stalks softens everything. Kids run barefoot between stalls. I had a vegan rice bowl and bought handmade soap– both wrapped in a banana leaf. This eco-friendly market is community-run, with kid-friendly stalls, handmade crafts, and family activities.

Chamcha Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Saturday–Sunday, 9 AM–4 PM
Chamcha Market is held on a school campus just outside the city. The setting isn’t fancy, but it’s full of heart. Students and locals set up stalls to sell art, handmade crafts, and homemade snacks. The market unfolds under a canopy of old trees that filter the sunlight in soft, dappled patterns. It’s the kind of place where you find yourself smiling more than talking, drawn in by the warmth of the people and the simplicity of the experience.

Jing Jai Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Saturday–Sunday, 6:30 AM–1 PM
This is where I go to breathe and take pretty pictures on the weekend. You cannot take a bad picture of the picturesque tall trees, walking paths, and vendors with canvas canopies. There’s a farmers market early in the morning, with vegetables arranged like still life paintings. I once drank tea next to a potter who was glazing mugs on-site. It’s not just a market—it’s a mood. Organic produce, pottery, coffee, and live music. Peaceful and open-air.

Bamboo Saturday Market (Nana Jungle)

📍 Google Map
🕒 Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM
Small but beautiful. Offers bread, kombucha, pasta, and fresh cheese. Surrounded by greenery. This one feels like a hidden garden. There’s fresh bread and sourdough pizza, and everything smells like herbs. The tables are wood. The fans are slow. I could live in that market and be perfectly happy.

Traditional Markets (Best for Everyday Chiang Mai Life)

Ton Lam Yai Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 4 AM–6 PM
Ton Lam Yai Market is located right next to Warorot Market and opens early every morning. It’s known for incense, dried goods, and fresh flower garlands. I’ve gone just after sunrise and watched vendors arrange jasmine and marigolds while the air still felt cool. If you want to see the city before it fully wakes up, this is the place to start.

Warorot Market (Kad Luang)

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, early morning to late evening

Warorot Market is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Chiang Mai. It sits in a big concrete building near the Ping River, in the city’s Chinatown area. Locals call it Kad Luang, and it’s packed from morning to night. The air smells like garlic, dried shrimp, and fresh flowers. It’s hot and noisy, but full of life.

In the early morning, the flower and fruit sellers set up on the sidewalks. Later in the day, the shops inside open—selling everything from fabric and gold to snacks, clothes, and household goods. At night, street vendors roll in with carts and tables selling grilled meat, Thai desserts, and cheap fashion. Kad Luang is where locals shop for everyday things, and it’s one of the best places to see the real pace of Chiang Mai.

Artisan Villages and Boutique Shops (Best for Culture, Design, and Gifts)

Baan Kang Wat

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 10 AM–6 PM, closed on Mondays
Baan Kang Wat is a quiet artists’ village tucked near the mountains. The village is made up of a cluster of teakwood houses surrounding a central amphitheater really popular with Korean tourists. Each house is home to an independent studio, gallery, or café. You’ll find ceramic workshops, watercolor classes, woodcut printmaking, and handmade jewelry. There’s even a tiny library and a couple of cozy cafes. On weekends, it can get a little crowded Baan Kang Wat hosts a small farmers’ market with organic vegetables, homemade cheeses, and baked goods.

Enough for Life

📍 Google Map
🕒 Tuesday–Sunday, 8:30 AM–5 PM

Enough for Life is a fair-trade shop and cafe tucked into the Suthep area of Chiang Mai. The design is modern and minimal, but every item inside—whether clothing, home goods, or personal care—is ethically sourced and thoughtfully made. The cafe uses milk from local water buffalo, which is richer than cow’s milk and gives their drinks a uniquely creamy texture. There’s a small outdoor garden and an air-conditioned space where you can cool off, read a book, and enjoy a quiet moment in the sun. If you’re heading to Baan Kang Wat, this makes an easy stop along the way.

Chiang Mai Riverside Boutiques

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, varies
Chiang Mai’s riverside boutiques along Charoenrat Road are perfect if you want to shop and snack without the crowd. Just across the Ping River from Warorot Market, via the Chansom Memorial Bridge (Khua Khaek),the road is lined with restored wooden buildings that hold shops like Woo Cafe, Elephant Parade House, and a handful of small design studios and galleries. You’ll find curated gifts, homewares, textiles, and some of the most charming cafes in town serving drinks and light bites. It’s not a market—but it’s one of my favorite places to wander, pick up something beautiful, and enjoy a quiet stroll by the river.

Chiang Mai University Night Market

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 5 PM–11 PM
This market sits just a short walk from Eastin Tan, and as a result, it draws a local crowd—mostly students from the nearby university. Still, the space doesn’t feel flashy, but it carries a steady energy. Moreover, the stalls offer food, trendy clothes, handmade crafts, and plenty of budget-friendly options. For instance, I walked through on a weekday and bought earrings, a notebook, and the best grilled chicken I’ve had in months. Surely, this place proves why night markets never lose their charm.

White Market (Pop-up)

📍 Google Map
🕒 Check Instagram @whitemarketcm
White Market is a rotating pop-up located in the trendy Nimman area. It brings together local designers focused on sustainable fashion, handmade accessories, and curated lifestyle goods. Because it’s based in Nimman—one of Chiang Mai’s more upscale neighborhoods—prices tend to be a little higher. But what you get in return is quality, originality, and a relaxed shopping space with thoughtful design. I don’t always buy something, but I always leave inspired.

Specialty Markets

Bo Sang Umbrella Village

📍 Google Map
🕒 Daily, 8 AM–5 PM
Bo Sang is known for its traditional paper umbrella making. As you explore further, you’ll find open-air studios where artisans paint each umbrella by hand. Just outside the bustle of Chiang Mai, the village offers a colorful, cultural experience that feels unrushed and authentic.

Coconut Market (หวายนำผึ้ง ทั้งม่อย)

📍 Google Map
🕒 Saturday & Sunday, 8 AM–2 PM
Set within a coconut grove about 15 minutes from Chiang Mai’s Old City, Coconut Market is a weekend-only spot that feels like a countryside escape. Honestly, the food is just okay. But the setting makes up for it—wooden walkways wind through rows of palms, leading to stalls that sell handmade crafts, local snacks, and coconut-inspired drinks. I tried khanom krok (coconut pancakes) and a Dirty Coconut espresso—hot espresso poured over thick coconut milk. There’s also a small goat farm where you can feed the animals, and live music adds to the relaxed vibe. It’s not a big market, but it’s one of the most charming and photogenic places I’ve visited in Chiang Mai.

Good Goods

📍 Google Map
🕒 Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Good Goods is a concept store located within Jing Jai Market, focusing on sustainable Thai design. The shop offers a curated selection of products, including handwoven bags, indigo-dyed textiles, and eco-friendly home goods. Each item is crafted by local artisans, reflecting Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. While prices are higher than typical market finds, the quality and ethical sourcing justify the cost. The store also features a cafe serving coffee made from Thai beans, providing a relaxing spot to unwind after shopping.

Kalm Village

📍 Google Map
🕒 Thurs–Tues: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM | Closed Wednesdays
I wasn’t looking for Kalm Village. I found it while walking without a plan, and now it’s one of the places I return to every time I come to Chiang Mai. The buildings blend Thai architecture with modern lines—wood, light, and air everywhere you look. It’s part gallery, part cafe, part studio. But more than anything, it’s a place that slows you down. You can always sip coffee and browse handmade textiles. Take a seat in a library with big windows, or talk to an artist finishing a piece on the floor above. Each visit offers something different. In fact, every time I return, I notice something new. And every time, I stay longer than I meant to.

Final Thoughts on Markets in Chiang Mai

Of course, you can always shop in the comfort of air-conditioned malls like Central Festival, MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, and Central Chiang Mai Airport—and I did that too. In fact, they’re modern, convenient, and full of familiar stores, cafes, and movie theaters. They’re great when you want something quick, easy, reliable, or want to escape the sun or rain.

But what I really appreciate about Chiang Mai is discovering a new local market every time I visit. Sometimes it’s a pop-up filled with handmade jewelry. Other times it’s a quiet street corner with flowers or snacks I’ve never seen before. No two markets feel the same—and that’s the beauty of it.

It’s just another reason I love Chiang Mai. Unlike the mall, these markets let you meet the people who made what’s in front of you. You ask questions. And hear their stories. You touch things that weren’t mass-produced or shipped in from somewhere else. What you take home doesn’t feel generic—it feels personal, like it was meant for you, even if it wasn’t. And that feeling stays with me long after the trip is over.

_{This post, Where to Shop in Chiang Mai: The Best Markets for Color, Crafts, and Character, is sponsored, and the 3rd in a 5-part blog series about leaving America. If you have questions or want to share your thoughts or experiences about leaving America, please add them in the comments below.}

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