Shopping in Chiang Mai
Discover 24 markets, shops, and shopping spots in Chiang Mai, Thailand. From local markets to specialty stores — curated from real traveler tips.
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Night Bazaar
A huge indoor/outdoor commercial maelstrom centred on the '''Night Bazaar Building''' on the west side of Changklan Rd. The Night Bazaar can be considered an entire region of the city as it incorporates the Anusarn and Kalare Markets as well, with the borders being ambiguous (and unimportant). It can take a concerted effort to find something different among the near identical stalls selling tourist-oriented sunglasses, T-shirts, textiles, watches, luggage, caps, and anything else small enough to sell from a market stall. You rarely see Thai people shopping here. On the east side of the street you will find the Anusarn and Kalare Markets with wider offerings.
18:00-24:00 -
Tha Phae Walking Street
This market is enormous and takes up several blocks on either side of Ratchadamnoen including from Ratchawithi to Ratchamanka on Prapoklao (from the 3 Kings Monument to past Wat Chedi Luang). The street is blocked off to traffic for local craft vendors to layout their handmade wares. There are food vendors strewn throughout. It starts at 16:00, but not everyone is set up until around 18:00. Runs late, but most vendors start to pack up around 22:00 or so.
Ratchadamnoen Rd Su 17:00-23:00 -
Anusarn Market
During the day time the Anusarn Market area is devoid of any vendor stalls. All the permanent shops, bars, and eateries around the inside walls of the market area are open for business. Every afternoon the Anusarn Market vendors move in, erect their large tent type stalls and open. Good shopping, good restaurants, and in a back corner there is a ladyboy cabaret that puts on a one-hour show at 21:30 at a reasonable price.
18:00-24:00 -
Malin Plaza Night Market
If the Night Bazaar is the place tourists go at night, Malin Plaza is where young Thais go. It's proximity to มช ("maw chaw", the local nickname for CMU) means that in the evening this place is crawling with teens and twenty-somethings. Clothing is young, trendy and cheap. Cheap restaurants abound, including a number of all-you-can-eat table-top barbecues, usually priced about 175 baht per person.
About 18ː00- Website -
CentralFestival
Measuring 250,000 m², with 250 shops, it rivals the Central Plaza Chiang Mai in size. Central Festival opened in late 2013 and includes an ice rink, IMAX and 4DX cinemas, dozens of restaurants and shops on five floors. A food court on the fifth floor as well as at the ground floor level (with better prices). All banks and mobile phone companies are represented.
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Warorot Market
This sprawling indoor/outdoor market is where the locals shop and is worth a visit to look over the plethora of fabrics, spices, tea, and dried fruit piled up along the aisles. Across the road is a flower and fruit market and an out-of-this-world fireworks stand. At night the street is packed with snack stalls.
Tha Phae Rd and Chang Moi Rd 07:00-17:00 -
Lanna Rentals Co Ltd
Tam, a lovely Thai lady, and Tony, her British partner, run a motorbike rental service combined with a coffee shop, bar, and restaurant. He's a bike expert. She's expert in people, creating great food and a convivial ambience. Excellent coffee, food, and bikes. Weekly and monthly rentals available.
3/1 Loi Kroh Rd, Soi 1 09:00-24:00 Honda Scoopy 200 baht per day; Honda Click, 250 baht; Honda PCX, 350 baht -
Kalare Market
A large covered arcade full of shops with an open food court and entertainment area. The food court operates on a coupon system: you buy coupons from the cashiers, then redeem them at the many small adjacent food stalls. Cheap dining. The market has bars, many shops, massage shops.
18:00-24:00 -
Suriwong Book Centre
Essentially two shops: a magazine shop open from 08:00-20:00 and the main, large book/stationery shop open from 10:00-19:00. Good selection of Western language titles, and wide variety of Thai titles, as well as office supplies. Pleasant ambience.
Sridonchai Rd Website -
Rimping Supermarkets
If you want Western foodstuffs like good bread, pickles, charcuterie, etc., pickings are slim in the vicinity of the Old City. 9 locations in the Chiang Mai area, map on the website. Expensive, but when you want olives there are few other choices.
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Promenada Resort Mall
Spacious, two floor, sprawling mall opened in 2013. This mall is significant distance from the city centre, though there are free shuttles; otherwise a phone call is required to get a taxi back to the city since there is no taxi stand.
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Sompet Market
Just south of the moat's northeast corner. Mostly a fruit and veg market for locals, but close at hand to the many guesthouses in the area so a good place for visitors to stock up on grub. Lots of prepared meat and meals as well.
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Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport
On five floors, with a food court, banks/ATMs, and multi-screen cinema. It also has a ''Cultural Centre'' attached selling many crafts, a large food market, and an extensive selection of Thai ready-to-eat stalls in the basement.
2 Mahidol Rd, Haiya, -
MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center
The Rimping Supermarket on the lowest floor is open from 06:00-24:00. The cinemas on the top floor are open late. Restaurants and bars on the open roof afford good views of Chiang Mai.
55 Moo 5, Huay Kaew Rd. Chang Phuak Website -
Nok 'Em Ded Designs
Unique styles from simple to extravagant. English-speaking owners & staff. Jewellery is handmade by the artist owners. Great quality T-shirt collection.
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Mengrai Kilns
Celadon green-glazed ceramics. Sift through their pile of rejects in the covered area to the right of store and find something interesting for 20 baht.
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Chiang Mai Gate Market
A major shopping venue for fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish for locals. Between the ring roads and in the vicinity are numerous food stalls.
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DK Book Centre
Not the best selection of Western language titles, but particularly strong in educational books and learning resources of every description.
79/1 Kotchasan Rd M-F, 10:30-20:00; Sa-Su, 09:00-20:00 -
Tops Supermarket
At the lowest level of the Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Centre. Good selection of Western foods, including good bread, cheese, wine and beer.
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Kad Suan Keaw
Great location, just off the moat's NW corner. Decent shops, very good Tops Supermarket, restaurants and banks/ATMs.
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Wualai Walking Street
In the old silver-working district, it's a smaller version of the Sunday market with many of the same vendors.
Wualai Rd Sa 17:00-23:00 -
Palmy Shoes
Handmade leather shoes and accessories. The owners speak English and all shoes are made locally.
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Gecko Books
3 locations. Large collection of used books. On-line ordering.
2/6 Chang Moi Kao Rd Website -
Back Street Books
Large collection of used books. Fiction and Non Fiction.
2/8 Chang Moi Kao Rd Website
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Data may have changed — verify opening hours before visiting.
Shopping Guide for Chiang Mai: Markets, Stores & Souvenirs
Shopping in Chiang Mai is one of the best ways to experience the city's local culture beyond the usual tourist trail. Whether you're browsing open-air markets for fresh produce and local delicacies, hunting for antiques in backstreet shops, or searching for artisan crafts and design goods to take home, Chiang Mai's shopping scene has something for every kind of traveler and every budget.
This guide covers 24 shopping spots in Chiang Mai sourced from Wikivoyage — the traveler-written travel guide — ensuring you're getting recommendations from real visitors who've been there. Unlike algorithmically ranked lists, these are the shops, markets, and stores that travelers actually tell each other about.
Types of Shopping in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's shopping landscape includes several distinct categories. Markets are the heart of local commerce — weekly or daily gatherings where you'll find fresh food, second-hand clothing, handmade goods, and antiques at prices far below tourist shops. Specialty stores in Chiang Mai often have decades of history and deep expertise — bookshops, wine merchants, tea rooms, craft suppliers, and independent fashion boutiques. Souvenir and gift shops vary widely in quality: the best ones in Chiang Mai sell locally made products, while others sell identical mass-produced goods found in every city. This guide steers you toward the former.
Shopping Tips for Travelers in Chiang Mai
- Visit markets early. The best stalls at Chiang Mai's markets fill up fast. Arrive in the first hour of opening for the widest selection and freshest goods, especially for food markets.
- Carry local currency. Many independent shops and market vendors in Chiang Mai prefer cash. Have small denomination local currency on hand to avoid problems at card-only or cash-only stalls.
- Check opening days carefully. Many specialist shops in Chiang Mai close on Sundays and some close on Mondays or Wednesday afternoons. Always verify hours before making a special trip.
- Ask about provenance. When buying what appears to be locally made or artisan goods in Chiang Mai, don't hesitate to ask where items are made. Genuine local products make far better souvenirs than imported look-alikes.
- Budget for customs limits. If you're traveling internationally, keep in mind duty-free allowances for your home country, especially for food products, alcohol, and tobacco bought in Chiang Mai.
- Bargaining culture varies. In some markets in Chiang Mai light bargaining is expected; in most established shops, the price is fixed. Follow local cues — if other shoppers are negotiating, it's acceptable; if prices are clearly marked, they typically aren't.
Best Souvenirs to Buy in Chiang Mai
The most meaningful souvenirs from Chiang Mai are the ones that can't be bought elsewhere — locally produced food and drink, handmade objects by local artisans, books published in the city or about the region, and items that reflect the city's distinct cultural identity. Avoid mass-produced miniatures and branded merchandise that you'll find in identical form in every tourist shop. Instead, focus on the specialty stores and markets listed in this guide where authentic local products are the norm.
Shopping Neighborhoods in Chiang Mai
Like most cities, Chiang Mai's best independent shopping is concentrated in specific neighborhoods rather than spread evenly across the city. Historic city centers and old towns tend to have the highest density of specialty shops, antique dealers, and design boutiques. Residential neighborhoods often host the best local food markets and everyday shopping that tourists rarely discover. This guide's listings span the city so you can plan your shopping around whichever neighborhoods you're already visiting.
Meet Fellow Travelers While Exploring Chiang Mai
Solo travel and group shopping are not mutually exclusive. Many Nomax users find travel companions for market days, afternoon shopping strolls, or finding someone who knows the city well enough to point you to the best local stores. Download Nomax to connect with other travelers currently in Chiang Mai — whether you want a market guide, a fellow bargain hunter, or simply someone to share the discovery of a great find.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shopping in Chiang Mai
Where to shop in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has 24 curated shopping spots including markets, specialty stores, and local boutiques. This guide covers the best places to shop, from open-air markets with local produce and handmade goods to bookshops, antique dealers, and souvenir stores. Use the Nomax app to connect with fellow travelers who can share their favourite shopping finds in Chiang Mai.
What souvenirs to buy in Chiang Mai?
The best souvenirs from Chiang Mai are those that reflect the city's culture and craftsmanship — local food specialties, artisan products, books about the city or region, handmade ceramics or textiles, and locally produced beverages. Markets are the best place to find authentic souvenirs at fair prices. Other travelers on Nomax often share tips on where to find genuinely local products versus tourist-trap shops.
Are there any markets in Chiang Mai?
Yes, Chiang Mai has several markets listed in this guide including weekly food markets, antique fairs, and craft markets. Markets are excellent for experiencing local daily life and finding unique items you won't find in chain stores. Opening days and hours vary — check individual listings for current schedules before visiting.
What are the best specialty shops in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has a range of specialty shops covering books, design, fashion, food and drink, antiques, and local crafts. Many of the shops in this guide are independent stores with deep expertise in their niche — a far better experience than mall shopping. The listings here are sourced from traveler community knowledge, so they tend to be the kinds of places locals actually recommend.
How do I find shopping companions in Chiang Mai?
Download Nomax to instantly connect with other travelers in Chiang Mai. Whether you want a local recommendation, a shopping companion for a market day, or someone who knows where to find the best local products, Nomax lets you chat with and meet fellow travelers in the city. It's free and available on iOS and Android.
Is it safe to shop in Chiang Mai as a solo traveler?
Shopping in Chiang Mai is generally safe for solo travelers. At markets, keep an eye on your belongings and use a secure bag. For valuable purchases, ask for receipts and check the return policy. When browsing late-evening markets, stick to well-lit areas. Connect with other travelers on Nomax for up-to-date safety tips from people currently in Chiang Mai.
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