Above: Chiang Mai is one of the handicraft centres of Asia.

Chiang Mai is a shopping paradise because there is such a wide range of unusual goods at affordable prices. The quality may be variable, but the value for money is undeniable and most leave with much fuller luggage than when they arrived. When visiting Thailand it’s advisable to leave your shopping for Chiang Mai as it is considered one of the cheapest places in the country and getting about town is easy.

Chiang Mai is one of the handicraft centres of Asia and, not surprisingly, many of the market traders from overseas come here to source their goods. Silk, silver, clothing, rattan, ceramics, interior decor, antiques, Buddhist art, lacquer and neilloware – the list of options is endless for shopping in Chiang Mai. Several markets and centres specialise in locally produced goods, but two good shopping centres (and more on the horizon) also offer a more sophisticated experience that is cheaper than back home. In this section we’ve got the A to Z of Shopping in Chiang Mai covered.

Above: The centre of shopping is undoubtedly the Night Bazaar.

Where to shop in Chiang Mai

The centre of shopping is undoubtedly the Night Bazaar (or Night Market), which takes up several blocks every evening along Chang Klan Road, east of the moat. Here you can wander among the countless pavement stalls and arcades admiring the beautifully crafted Northern Thai handicrafts.

The more serious shopper can head out to the huge handicraft wholesalers at San Kamphaeng., at the same time checking out Borsang village with its colourful umbrellas. Baan Tawai, to the south of the city, is a busy working carving centre with some exquisite pieces on display and the best selection of antiques.

Scattered around the centre of Chiang Mai are plenty of handicraft shops catering to tourist shopping tastes. These are more specialised and slightly more expensive, yet are better quality. There are fabric shops and tailors everywhere, quirky little establishments selling curious hill-tribe products and crafts, shoe shops and boutiques, jewellers and gems dealers, and some very exclusive antique shops. But there are also great opportunities to source high quality artwork online with detailed collections listed at Thai Oil Paintings.

Those interested in more modern international items – gadgets, clothes and multimedia – have the choice of two well-stocked shopping centres, Kad Suan Kaew and Airport Plaza, as well as computer related items from Panthip Plaza near the Night Market. There are individual shops scattered in tourist areas where you can pick up bargains on everyday items which are made in Asia.

Above: Chiang Mai Walking street markets are organised on both Saturday and Sunday.

Walking street in Chiang Mai

There are two of these and they can be considered the highlight of a shopping trip when visiting Chiang Mai. On weekends, Chiang Mai Walking street markets are organised on both Saturday and Sunday, and though crowded, are worth it to find better handicrafts, artsy items and souvenirs – displaying the full creativity of this city. Lots of items on display are simply ‘cute’ – there’s no other way to describe them – often sold by the makers themselves and are unavailable at the Night Market. Typcially, they begin in the late afternoon and run through until about 23:00.

The Sunday Walking Street runs along the length of Ratchadamnoen Road (through the centre of the old town), all the way to Thapae Gate and includes the forecourt beyond the gate. Often, there are performances here, too. The street is lined with vendors, along with plenty of restaurants in which to take a break. There’s also live music in some, and buskers to add to the atmosphere. It’s better to come before dusk when it starts to get very crowded, but the shopping experience is far nicer than the Night Bazaar.

Wualai Walking Street in Chiang Mai occurs on Saturdays on this road, which has traditionally hosted the silversmiths and jewellery shops of the city. It is a similar experience to the Sunday Walking Street, though more geared towards locals and less arty. The road runs off at an angle, outside of the old town, south of Chiang Mai Gate.

Above: When visiting Thailand it’s advisable to leave your shopping for Chiang Mai.

Source: One Stop Chiang Mai