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). 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 local culture beyond the usual tourist trail. Whether you're browsing open-air markets for fresh produce and local specialties, hunting for antiques in backstreet shops, or looking for handcrafted souvenirs to bring home, Chiang Mai's shopping scene has something for every kind of traveler.
This guide lists 24 shopping spots in Chiang Mai sourced from Wikivoyage — the community travel guide written by real travelers. These are the shops, markets, and stores that visitors actually recommend to each other.
Shopping Tips for Travelers in Chiang Mai
- Visit markets early for the best selection at Chiang Mai's food and craft markets.
- Carry local cash — many independent vendors and market stalls prefer cash over cards.
- Check opening days — many specialty shops in Chiang Mai are closed on Sundays or have limited weekend hours.
- Ask about local products — the best souvenirs are made locally, not imported for tourist shops.
- Use Nomax to connect with travelers currently in Chiang Mai who can share real-time shopping tips.
Meet Fellow Travelers in Chiang Mai
Download Nomax to see other travelers currently in Chiang Mai. Find a market companion, share shopping discoveries, or join city activities organized by the traveler community. Free on iOS and Android.
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 in Chiang Mai, from open-air markets to specialist shops. Use Nomax to connect with fellow travelers who can share shopping tips.
What souvenirs to buy in Chiang Mai?
The best souvenirs from Chiang Mai are locally produced food and drink, handmade crafts, books about the city, and artisan goods. Markets are the best place to find authentic products. Check listings in this guide for specialty shops and markets in Chiang Mai.
Are there markets in Chiang Mai?
Yes, Chiang Mai has several markets in this guide including food markets, antique fairs, and craft markets. Opening days and hours vary by market — check individual listings before visiting.
Is Nomax free to use in Chiang Mai?
Yes, Nomax is completely free. Download it on iOS or Android to connect with travelers currently in Chiang Mai, join activities, and get shopping recommendations from people who know the city.
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