Thailand has become a famous tourist destination, attracting a huge number of tourists from all over the world. The country of golden pagoda not only attracts travelers for its natural landscape, ancient pagodas, and exotic street foods but also charms them with the shopping experiences at local markets only available in Thailand. So, are you finding Top Chiang Mai markets for shopping souvenirs as well as delectable foods? Let’s check out our top rated 8 best markets in Chiang Mai and best night markets in Chiang Mai as follows!
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- Saturday Night Market Chiang Mai review — Experience one of most vibrant & best night markets in Chiang Mai
- Explore Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Market — How to go & must-eat food in Chiang Mai Bazaar Night Market
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Similar to other cities in Thailand, Chiang Mai also possesses its own unique marketplaces. The markets in Chiang Mai are not just a place for shopping, but indeed, an attraction to experience leisure and entertainment activities. In this post, let’s explore the top 8 most popular markets in Chiang Mai.
Sunday Market (#best markets in chiang mai)
Sunday Market takes place on a pedestrian street. This is one of the most well-known marketplaces in Chiang Mai any visitor coming here must explore and experience it for once. Initially, the locals used to call this market the name “Tanoon Kundon,” but later as this place gained popularity among international travelers, it is usually referred to as the “Sunday Market.”
As its name, the market is only open every Sunday, from 4 p.m until midnight. This is the most important market for Chiang Mai people, so a lot of locals gather here on the usual together with a large number of tourists creating a loud and bustling atmosphere.
Sunday Market is an opportunity for traders from all over Chiang Mai to sell a diverse variety of products. Coming here, visitors are able to purchase items such as handicrafts, embroidery, paintings, clothing, home appliances, accessories, handbags, and so on. These products are primarily coming from Thailand being sold by the artists who directly made them, so their prices are rather affordable with guaranteed quality. Therefore, unlike other marketplaces in Chiang Mai, Sunday Market is considered less commercialized.
Besides shopping, visitors can participate in other interesting entertainment activities. The market hosts famous groups of painters and artists, whom you can meet, take photos with, and create drawings with. Moreover, there are a lot of cute pet dogs for you to have fun with. In addition, this market offers a huge selection of typical Thai street foods for you to try.
Address: Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai
Hours: 5 PM – 12 AM (every Sunday night)
Saturday Market (#best markets in chiang mai)
Saturday Market is a smaller version of Sunday Market. One distinguishing thing is that Saturday Market takes place on Wua Lai Street to the South of Chiang Mai while Sunday Market is located in the old town of the city downtown. The opening hours are also different, which is obvious by their names.
Saturday Market is only open every Saturday, in the afternoon until late at night. During the time of the market’s operations, Wua Lai Street bans all transportation vehicles from passing by and the market becomes a walking street for shopping and entertainment for visitors.
Despite the small scale and not as busy as Sunday Market, Saturday Market boasts a number of fascinating activities for tourists to experience. Saturday Market offers a diverse selection of goods from handicrafts, cute little souvenirs, paintings, jewelry, and so on. Since it has a small space not enough for the stalls, sellers display the items on the street, making this market more unique and bustling. However, you might encounter a big crowd because the market is small in size with a huge number of visitors.
When coming to Saturday Market, don’t forget to enjoy the street foods here. The food stalls are present everywhere, offering famous treats like mango sticky rice, fresh fruits, pancakes, and skewers, with the original taste of Thai cuisine. Especially, the price is super affordable, ranging from 100 – 300 baht for you to fill up your appetite.
Address: Wua Lai Rd, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai
Hours: 4 PM – 12 AM (every Saturday night)
Night Bazaar (#best night markets in chiang mai)
If your trip to Chiang Mai takes place during the weekdays, don’t worry whether you cannot experience shopping at Chiang Mai markets. There is another huge market that opens on all the weekdays, namely Night Bazaar. Night Bazaar might be the most popular night market in Chiang Mai Mai any visitors coming here would love to pay a visit at once. Thus, the rumors say if you come to Chiang Mai without paying a visit to Night Bazaar, you are considered not to have been to Chiang Mai. This is enough to understand the popularity and attractiveness of Night Bazaar.
Night Bazaar is always loud and busy with hundreds of visitors every night. Coming to Night Bazaar, you will be overwhelmed by the sight of light bulbs and neon lights, as well as colorful umbrellas covering the front of the stalls. It feels like you have been lost in an exotic kingdom. The market has hundreds of stores, selling a variety of goods for visitors to see and shop.
The main products for sale are clothing, shoes, jewelry, souvenirs, postcards, gemstone arts, paintings, handicrafts, and so on. Most items are originally made in Chiang Mai or transported from the surrounding areas, so the quality is great at a good price. In case you would like to check out the antiques or furniture, Night Bazaar also has a separate section for them. However, make sure that you negotiate the price beforehand and only make a purchase when it is reasonable.
Inside and outside the market are street food stalls where you can recharge your energy after a long walk around the market. Furthermore, along the market, there are popular worldwide fast food chains including McDonald’s, Burger King, and Starbucks. Besides, on Chang Klan Street where Night Bazaar is located, there are a number of massage shops, bars, eateries, and hotels for travelers.
Address: 104-1 Chang Klan Road intersection of Tha Pae and Chang Klang Roads, Chiang Mai
Hours: 12 PM – 12 AM
Somphet Market (#best night markets in chiang mai)
Somphet Market might sound unfamiliar to tourists, but for budget travelers, this place has become more well-known thanks to the surrounding low-priced hotels. Somphet Market is located at the intersection of Moon Mueang Street and Mueang Soi 7 Street, hence, it is very easy to find just by walking a distance of 5-10 minutes from the nearby hotels.
This is a large food market in Chiang Mai. If you take a cooking class in Chiang Mai and need to buy some local ingredients, Somphet Market is the most ideal place for a field trip. You will find a lot of people with the same purpose, so don’t be surprised to see large groups in this busy market.
Somphet Market mainly provides foods, fresh seafood, fruits, and dried products. You won’t have any difficulty finding shops selling boneless fish, dried and freshly caught fish, or any unprocessed seafood at this market. Besides, fruit stalls are also standard here where they sell oranges, dragon fruits, mandarins, and guavas. The fruits preserve their freshness and you can get them at an affordable price.
In addition, you will see various mouthwatering snacks like Thai sausages, deep-fried bananas, or crepes. For self-planned travelers, Sompet Market is a great choice for budget-friendly meals of high quality.
Address: Mueang Soi 7 Street
Hours: 8 AM – 4 PM
Warorot Market
Warorot Market is situated at the intersection of Tha Phae Street and Chang Moi Street. This is also referred to as a popular market in Chiang Mai, drawing in a lot of tourists. If you want to buy brocade, wool, or clothes, Warorot Market is certainly an ideal stop. There are multiple stores offering brocade fabrics, suitable for you to purchase as souvenirs or gifts.
The fabrics are typically woven by local shops, companies, or artisans, so the quality is guaranteed and the price is also very affordable. Moreover, Warorot Market provides other dried products such as spices, teas, as well as fresh and dried fruits. Herbs and traditional Thai medicines are available at a couple of stalls that tourists may purchase as gifts.
On the opposite side of the market, you can see fast food chains, ice cream, and fruit stalls where visitors can stop by and try. Warorot Market operates from 7 am until 7 pm. Travelers coming here not only visit and shop, but also have a chance to experience the daily life and local culture.
Address: Tha Phae Street, Mueang District, Chiang Mai
Hours: 7 AM – 7 PM
Siri Wattana Market (#best night markets in chiang mai)
Another market making the top most popular markets in Chiang Mai that we would like to introduce is Siri Wattana Market. Siri Wattana Market is truly a typical local market because it mainly serves the locals. Thus, international tourists don’t often hear of this market. If you have a chance, stop by to experience this place since it is no less interesting than other famous markets in Chiang Mai.
Siri Wattana Market is home to many stores selling all kinds of foods including vegetables, meat, fish, and other seafood for the daily needs of nearby residents. The food here always ensures freshness and hygiene. Indoors, the market houses a number of stalls selling various clothes, footwear, and cosmetics.
The price at this market is inexpensive since it is a local marketplace. If you want to save some expenses traveling to Chiang Mai, Siri Wattana Market is a perfect destination. The traders and residents here are friendly and open-minded. They won’t charge you higher because you’re a tourist, so you can shop here worry-free.
Address: Charoenrat Street
Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM
Mueang Mai Market
Let’s travel away from the city downtown to arrive at another popular market named Mueang Mai Market. Mueang Mai Market is rather busy, located to the Northeast of the old town. Mueang Mai is a gathering place for agricultural goods and fresh fruit shops.
Agricultural goods here are produced, harvested, and brought to the market by Mueang Mai farmers. Not only displayed for sale in the stalls and shops, but the goods are also available on the traders’ vans. Not to mention the quality since the goods and fruits are freshly transported to the market.
Otherwise, they sell different kinds of foods like fish, seafood, and dried goods (curry powder, herb powder, and tea for example). The price is super low. Mueang Mai Market offers the lowest price in Chiang Mai with the quality exceeding its cost. Such a place to explore on your trip, right?
Address: Witchayanon and Mueang Samut Road, Chang Moi, Chiang Mai
Hours: 12 AM – 11 PM
Chang Puak Market
Chang Puak Market is a major food wholesale in Chiang Mai. The main goods at this market are vegetables and fresh foods. However, the most energetic and lively time here must be at night as the street food stalls are open. Hundreds of people including locals and international tourists come here to try the great, typical foods of Thai cuisine.
Stalls such as khao soi, grilled Thai sausages, papaya salad, Pat Thai, mango sticky rice, skewers, coconut ice cream, grilled eggs, Thai milk tea, and so on are the most well-known Thai street foods. Visitors make up huge crowds around these stalls. The dishes are extraordinary, having the authentic appearance and taste of Thailand.
Also, this place is famous for fruit juice made of fresh fruits, preserving the original aroma and sense. Hanging out in the evening with your friends here to immerse in the atmosphere and enjoy good food must be on your checklist when traveling to the country. So, don’t hesitate to pay a visit to Chang Puak Market, you won’t be disappointed!
Address: Manee Nopparat Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Hours: 5 PM – 11:30 PM
The first tip for shopping at the markets in Chiang Mai is that you should choose simple clothes for a convenient walk. Because the market is very crowded, be careful of pickpocketing and theft. In these markets, there are many shops and stalls selling the same product. You can refer to the price at a few stalls to find a place that offers the best price with guaranteed quality.
When you go shopping, remember to bargain though Thai people don’t tend to overcharge a lot. So, you can negotiate but don’t have to be so aggressive to buy the items at a good price. Another tip is that if you have found a satisfactory item with a reasonable price and quality, you should buy it immediately. Since the market is very large and crowded, it is difficult to remember the stalls that you have passed to return for the item.
Above are the top 8 most popular markets in Chiang Mai that tourists can visit and shop for. We wish you interesting and remarkable experiences when shopping at Chiang Mai’s markets.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Chiang Mai you can refer to
- Private Chiang Mai International Airport Transfers (CNX) for Chiang Mai by Thai Rhythm
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Are you looking for best places to visit in Chiang Mai? Read more: Top places to visit in Chiang Mai — Top 19 most famous, beautiful, must go & best places to visit in Chiang Mai.