Vacation in Chiang Mai without shopping? Not possible!
Who doesn’t like shopping? Of course, everyone does!
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Chiang Mai night markets are lively and a happening place.
Chiang Mai’s night markets transform this ancient cultural city into an energetic shopping hub where tourists and locals can shop and enjoy the aura of this beautiful city.
So, let’s explore the 10 best night markets in Chiang Mai and discover the chiang mai unique finds at each market.
Location of Chiang Mai Night Markets on Map
What Can You Expect in Chiang Mai Night Markets:
- Delicious food
- Go to live music bars
- Traditional Thai art and craft
- Trendy clothing and accessories
- Massage parlors and spa
- Beautiful Thai temples
Common dishes that tempt your taste buds in Chiang Mai Night Markets
| Seafood | Noodles | Desserts | Steak |
|
Grilled prawns |
Pad Thai | Mango sticky rice | Thai-style grilled beef |
| Steamed fish with herbs | Khao Soi | Thai coconut ice cream | Grilled pork skewers |
| Fried Calamari | Boat noodles | Khanom Krok | Beef stir-fry with basil and chili |
| Spicy seafood salads | Pad See Ew | Roti (Thai-style pancakes) | Beef salad |
| Seafood skewers | Tom Yum noodle soup | Tub Tim Grob | Beef satay |
Okay, so now it’s time to reveal the best night markets in Chiang Mai-
List of the Best Night Markets in Chiang Mai
Glittery eyes, smiling lips, and raised eyebrows will narrate the story of the wonderful night markets of Chiang Mai.
Markets reflect the festive vibe and welcoming nature of Thai people, adding a layer of happiness to your shopping experience.
So, why wait more? Let’s learn about the best night markets to visit in Chiang Mai.
1) Sunday Night Market (Tha Pae Walking Street)
As the name suggests, this night market opens only on Sundays and attracts half the city’s population, plus tourists.
The Sunday night market is located in the city centre, making it easier to find the best hotels in Chiang Mai.
Tourist exploring sunday night market
As it is located opposite Wat Phra Singh Temple, you will find temple yards converted into food stalls selling delicious food, Thai souvenirs and trendy clothes.
Another unique sight in this night market in Chiang Mai is vendors selling live-painted T-shirts. You can buy T-shirts and also see the Thai process they use to paint them.
Quick Facts
- Location: Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai
- Timing: 5 PM- 10 AM (Sunday)
- Nearby Temples: Wat Phra Singh Temple
Unique finds in Sunday Night Market:
- Hand-printed shirts
- Wood carvings
- Handmade Jewellery
- Pottery
- Woven textiles
- Beautiful lamps and lanterns from coconut shells
- Paintings
- Sculptures
- Lana / Karen embroidery
2) Saturday Night Market (Wualai Walking Street)
Saturday night market in Chiang Mai is locally known as the Wualai Walking Street. It is a bit less crowded than Sunday Walking Street.
Tourist tasting street foods in Saturday Night Market
So, shopping from this Chiang Mai night market will not be a golden but rather a silvery experience.
Wondering why? Okay, so this market is situated on Wulai Road, which is renowned for its silversmiths.
Hence, you get silverware here, such as bowls, utensils, decorative items, and beautifully crafted silver jewellery. Also, wooden items like figurines, furniture, and household decorations can be found here.
If you are a music artist interested in musical instruments, you can find Khim (hammered dulcimer), Saw duang (a traditional string instrument), and various drums in this market.
Quick Facts
- Location: Saturday Night Market, Chiang Mai
- Market Timing: 6 PM- 11 PM (Saturdays)
- Nearby Temples: Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple), Wat Phra Singh Temple
Unique Finds in Saturday Night Market:
- Portrait Cafes to get your portrait done
- Lanna Silver Handicrafts
- Lanna Style wooden crafts
- Handcrafted textiles, including scarves, bags, and traditional garments
- Traditional Thai musical instruments
3) Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
Warorot Market is tagged as the most well-known market in the northern region of Thailand.
This is a unique night market in Chiang Mai with three complex floors. Thus, it is called Kad Luang—The Big Market.
The ground and first floors are dedicated to food stalls. The second and third floors are dedicated to trendy clothes and fashion accessories.
Various Floors of Warorot Market
As the first two floors of this market are dedicated to food shops, you can also find ingredients to prepare traditional Thai dishes, such as spices, herbs, and dried mushrooms. In addition, you can also get fresh foods grown from local farms.
[Note: This market is known for food stalls selling Northern Thai dishes, so don’t forget to taste them.]
Quick Finds
- Location: Warorot Market (Kad Luang)
- Market Timings: 4 AM-7 PM (all days)
- Nearby Temples: Wat Phra Singh, Wat Buppharam, Wat Chedi Luang (all within 1.5 km)
Unique Finds of Warorot Market (Kad Luang):
- Dried Goods
- Fresh Produce
- Northern Thai dishes
4) Kalare Night Bazaar
Kalare Night Bazaar, part of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar complex, is one of the city’s most visited night markets.
Food Court at Kalare Night Bazaar
This market has a beautiful open-air dining space. It also has hundreds of stalls selling Thai silk, handmade jewellery, art pieces, and trendy clothes.
Roaming in this night market gives you a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Tourists like this night market in Chiang Mai because of its traditional cultural art performances.
Quick Facts
- Location: Kalare Night Market
- Market Timings: 4 PM-11:30 PM
- Nearby Temples: Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang, Wat Chang Taem
Unique Finds in Kalare Night Bazaar:
- Art and Home Decor
- Fashion Accessories
- Street Performances
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5) Ploen Ruedee Night Market
Ploen Night Market is one of the best night markets in Chiang Mai renowned for being exceptionally clean and well-maintained compared to other night markets.
Fruits Stall in Ploen Ruedee Night Market
It is an open market with a large seating capacity. It is full of food stalls, and the combination of live music and good food will take your heart away.
You can get authentic Thai food as well as fancy food. Few tourists find this market so good that they prefer coming here daily for dinner during their stay in Chiang Mai.
The ambiance, food, goods and Thai antiques will repeatedly make you visit this market.
[Note: Gyoza is a must-try dish if you are at this Chiang Mai night market.]
Quick Check
- Location: Ploen Ruedee Night Market
- Market Timing: 6 PM-12 AM (except Sunday)
- Nearby Temples: Wat Suan Dok, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Umong Mahathera Chan (all within 3 km)
Unique Finds in Ploen Ruedee Night Market:
- Handcrafted Goods
- Local Art
- Live Music and Performances
- Vintage and Retro Items
- Local Snacks and Treats
6) Ton Lamyai Market
Ton Lamyai market in Chiang Mai is not meant for tourists who are looking for glamorous nightlife.
Though this market sells goods at cheap prices, it is more like a local market. But if you are looking for authentic foods, spices, and hand-made wooden products, this is a must-visit market in Chiang Mai.
You will get everything here, from food to fabrics, local handicrafts, dried food, and vintage collectibles, ranging from old coins and ceramics to retro clothing and decorative items.
Quick Check
- Location: Ton Lamyai Market, Chiang Mai
- Market Timing: 7:30 AM-5:30 PM
- Nearby Temples: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Pan Tao (all within 1.5 km)
Unique finds in Ton Lamyai Market:
- Herbal Products
- Local Art and Souvenirs
- Antiques and Vintage Items
- Local Handicrafts
- Fresh Produce and Local Delicacies
7) Anusarn Night Market
Anusarn is a sheltered night market with stalls inside and a dining space.
This night market in Chiang Mai is adorned with colourful umbrellas, strings of fairy lights twinkling above, and vendors skillfully preparing dishes right before you.
Clothing Options in Anusarn Night Market
It is definitely worth a visit. Walking through the market, you will be surrounded by aromas—spicy curries, grilled meats, exotic fruits, and the sweet scent of fresh Thai desserts.
It is a very happening market with live music in Chiang Mai and a multicultural crowd.
[Note: The seafood is extremely delicious in this market, and you will feel love in each bite].
Quick Check
- Location: Anusarn Night Market, Chiang Mai
- Market Timing: 5 PM-11 PM
- Nearby Temples: Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang, Wat Chang Taem, Wat Loi Kroh
Unique Finds in Anusarn Night Market:
- Hill Tribe Crafts
- Thai Handicrafts and Decor
- Vintage and Retro Items
8) Kad Na Mor Market
Kad Na Mor Market is located near Chiang Mai University and is a student hangout place. Here, you can buy trendy clothes for young women and enjoy a variety of street food stalls.
The crowd at this market is quite young. Students usually come after their class for dinner and sometimes shopping. This night market in Chiang Mai reflects local culture and craftsmanship.
Quick Check
- Location: Kad Na Mor Night Market, Chiang Mai
- Market Timing: 5 PM-10 PM
- Nearby Temples: Wat Suan Dok, Wat Umong Mahathera Chan
Unique Finds in Kad Na Mor Market:
- Traditional Northern Thai Food
- Hill Tribe Crafts
- Local Produce and Ingredients
- Local Handicrafts
9) Chang Puak Gate Night Market
The market gets its name from the nearby Chang Puak Gate, one of the historic gates of the old city wall of Chiang Mai.
The Chang Puak Gate night market doesn’t exist during the daytime, but nights are still alive here.
Girl selling delicious street foods in Chang Puak Gate Night Market
This is not a big night market, but each stall is a hit, serving delicious food at this Chiang Mai night market. When you visit this market, leave room in your stomach for delicious food.
[Popular food stall: The most loved stall is by a lady with a cowboy hat].
Quick Facts
- Location: Chang Puak Gate Night Market, Chiang Mai
- Market Timing: 5 PM-12 AM
- Nearby Temples: Wat Chiang Man, Wat Lok Moli, Wat Chedi Luang
Unique Finds in Chang Puak Gate Night Market:
- Local Handicrafts
- Northern Thai Cuisine
- Vintage and Retro Clothing
- Local Art and Paintings
- Traditional Thai Musical Instruments
- Natural and Herbal Products
10) Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
This is one of the best night markets in Chiang Mai because of its look. Looking from a hilltop, this night market looks like colourful shining stars as the market is decorated with lights and umbrellas.
Handicraft things shops in Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Food stalls are comparatively fewer than in other night markets in Chiang Mai. But this market provides you with the ultimate entertainment with its live Thai dance and Music shows.
Quick Check
- Location: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
- Market Timing: 5 PM-12 PM
- Nearby Temples: Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang, Wat Chang Taem, Wat Lok Moli
Unique Finds in Chiang Mai Night Bazaar:
- Electronics and Gadgets
- Fashion and Clothing
- Live Muay Thai Matches
What Not to Miss when in Chiang Mai
Elephant-Themed SouvenirsElephant-themed souvenirs are everywhere in Chiang Mai because elephants are significant in Thai history and culture. They are a national symbol of Thailand as they played a crucial role in warfare and transportation. Thai artisans are skilled in creating intricate and beautiful elephant-themed handicrafts. These include wood carvings, paintings, textiles (such as silk scarves with elephant patterns), ceramics, and jewellery featuring elephant designs. So, when you are in the night markets of Chiang Mai, don’t forget to buy one. |
Conclusion
Chiang Mai has gained significance for its cultural richness, Natural Beauty, Temples and Historical Sites, Festivals and events, Thai Massage and Wellness, Culinary Delights, Art and Handicrafts, night markets and shopping. So, when you visit Chiang Mai, Thailand, you must visit the night markets to get a bag full of souvenirs and sweet memories.
FAQs
Q. 1) What night markets to visit in Chiang Mai?
Ans: Sunday night market, Saturday night market (Wualai Walking Street), Warorot Market (Kad Luang), Kalare Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Ploen Ruedee night market, Ton Lamyai Market, Anusarn Night Market, Chang Puak Gate Night Market, Kad Na Mor Market.
Q. 2) What is Chiang Mai known for?
Ans: Beautiful temples, Elephant sanctuaries, Lanna-style wooden crafts, Northern Thai dishes, Lanna Silver Handicrafts, Traditional Thai musical instruments, Lana/ Karen embroidery, Antiques and Vintage Items.
Q. 3) What Chiang Mai night markets can we visit on weekdays?
Ans: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Ploen Ruedee Night Market
Q. 4) What Chiang Mai night markets can we visit on weekends?
Ans: Sunday Walking Street (Sundays only) and Saturday Walking Street (Saturdays only).
Q. 5) What are the Best Chiang Mai Hotels near Night Markets?
Ans: Le Meridien Chiang Mai, Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort, Rachamankha a Member of Secret Retreats
Q. 6) What are the night bazaar markets in Chiang Mai?
Ans: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Sunday Walking Street (ThaPae Walking Street), Saturday Night Market (Wualai Walking Street), Kalare Night Bazaar