Unravel Chiang Mai's Colourful Market Maze
Chiang Mai is a city of contrasts, a symbiosis of modernity and tradition, which makes it the most culturally significant region in northern Thailand. This peculiarity has bestowed the city with an infinity of artifacts that vary from beautiful handmade objects and traditional cottage crafts to international labels and fake imitation brands.
As shoppers lose themselves in the labyrinth of picturesque markets, the experience can either turn into a dream or a nightmare. On the one hand, you can purchase precious objects at unbelievably low prices; however, if you don’t know how to bargain or to identify what is worth buying, you might end up spending all your Thai Baht for nothing more than a suitcase of junk. Here is our guide to shopping for success in Thailand…
Souvenirs in Street Markets
Craft and Walking Street Markets
The city is home to over 15 colourful markets, which play a central role in Thai society. Decorated with exotic fruits and flowers, Chiang Mai’s stunning markets are the place to get a feel for daily life and culture in the region. As you stroll around, you can buy souvenirs, get a portrait on canvas, enjoy a massage and grab a snack.
In daylight, Chang Khlan Road is an ordinary street full of shops and restaurants, but when the night comes, a famous night market brings the place to life. As one of Chiang Mai’s biggest attractions, Night Bazaar is an unmissable check point when you visit Thailand.
At dusk, countless lights illuminate the street and tourists arrive en masse to find a huge variety of handicrafts, clothing, high-tech items and all sorts of knickknacks. With such a large assortment of goods, this extensive market is a paradise for bargain hunters. If haggling is nearly a national sport in Thailand, Night Bazaar is the Olympics for bargaining.
In direct contrast, the Sunday Market is a lively showcase of the art and craftsmanship of the Northern Thai people; many of the stall vendors make their own products and the quality of craftsmanship is exceptional. Adored for its festive nature and lively atmosphere, musicians, puppeteers, Thai dancers and bands delight visitors as they shop, eat or enjoy a 30-minute long foot massage.
Markets are where the real Thailand comes alive and this reality is most evident in Warorot Markets - Chiang Mai’s central market where all locals buy their meat, fruit and vegetables. Here you can find similar goods to other markets, but they are usually cheaper and better quality, plus many products you won’t find in other tourist areas.
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but anyone who visits Ton Payon will agree that the market is absolutely stunning. Bordered by a diversity of colourful umbrellas and embellished by nature’s blossom, this is the place to buy flowers, which are used by locals to make religious offerings and Thai delicacies.
Bo Sang Handicraft Centre
San Kamphaeng, Chaing Mai’s Handicraft Scene
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s main handicraft centre and that is reflected along San Kamphaeng road - the city’s famous traditional arts and crafts highway. If you are interested in Chiang Mai’s culture and are looking for a significant souvenir, this is an exciting place to shop where you will find a huge variety of products and antiques, including lacquer-ware, celadon, silk and textiles, woodcarving, silverware, umbrellas, and a whole range of hill tribe arts and crafts. Actually, in the last few decades, San Kamphaeng has become Thailand’s main Thai silk centre and has attracted to the region relevant figures such as Lady Diana.
If you drive along the road to explore all the factories and showrooms, don’t miss the Bo Sang Handicraft Centre. The area is famous for its Sa Paper products, hand made from tree bark, which come in the form of photo albums, lanterns, parasols and other handicrafts. However, brightly-coloured hand-painted umbrellas are Bo Sang’s trademark - known as the umbrella village - and the local artisans have been manufacturing them for at least 200 years. If you are looking for a special souvenir, the artists will paint beautiful designs on items you choose.
Baan Tawai Village
Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art form and can be spotted everywhere from the fretwork of houses to the shutters of temples. Baan Tawai village has the best wood carving artisans in Thailand and is a hub of wooden furniture production. Visitors can find anything from traditionally styled furniture to contemporary designs.
Baan Tawai Village
Shopping Malls
Street markets might be the core of Chiang Mai’s lifestyle, but when it comes to convenience and escaping hot and humid weather, shopping malls are the place to be. Even though Chiang Mai is not nearly as mall-obsessed as Bangkok is, shopping centres are popular among locals since in one single complex they can find essential products and clothes, enjoy a meal, go to the cinema and relax with a massage.
Kad Suan Kaew and Central Airport Plaza are the main meeting points. The former is a massive shopping mall where you can find just about anything in their endless selection of shops. Central Airport Plaza might be harder to reach - as it is located near the airport - yet many opt for it due to its modern cinema.
Nimmanhaemin is the main tourist area where you will find many photo opportunities in their artistically-designed boutiques; hip stores that are home to top brands neighbour trendy places for coffee art, designer ice cream and state-of-the-art cocktails.
Photo credit: judithbluepool
Nimmanhaemin area
