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. Chiang Mai is one of the handicraft centers of Asia. Many of the market traders from overseas come here to source their goods.
Shopping venues can be found throughout the city. There are over 10 shopping malls, large and small, day markets and night bazaars. It is also home to the famous shopping street, Nimman Haemin Road, where you can find all types of products – traditional or trendy.
Highlights
- The city has numerous handicraft workshops where you can watch how those delicate things are made.
- Chiang Mai shopping is more handicraft-oriented than any other area of Thailand.
- This city is known mainly because of the Saturday and Sunday markets and the Night Bazaar, which are spread along the main streets.
- Chiang Mai is popular for its many night markets. If you're looking for great deals on clothes, furniture or souvenirs you will definitely find what you're looking for.
- Discover Chiang Mai with Asia Highlights for a memorable holiday.
7-Day Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Yi Peng Festival:
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My husband and I are planning a 3 week…
Alisa was a great listener to all the things we wanted to incorporate into our trip. We discussed everything throughly, and when I had questions, she had answers the next day. I really appreciate her responsiveness and detail with me. I feel like we are in the best hands with Alisa and Asia Highlights. More
, Mar 2024
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Very great experience our driver D was…
Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling More
Rylan Coache, Feb 2024
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Excellent guide in Siem Reap
Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap! More
Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024
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Asia Highlights trip to Thailand
Our first tour guide in Bangkok, Marie, was great to tour around with. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. Our next stop in Chang Mai we were greeted by our new tour guide, Rafael. He too was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. He made it feel as if we were traveling around with a long time friend. Every time we arrived at a new destination, we were greeted at the airport by someone with a sign with our name making our travels easy. I would definitely recommend Asia Highlights to anyone looking for a well planned trip of a lifetime! More
Tricia, Feb 2024
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Amazing Thailand experience
The tour guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating, especially Mayuree in Bangkok- absolutely wonderful. We felt taken care of and every step of the way was catered to our needs. More
Ashley White, Feb 2024
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Private tour perfect for our times
Asia highlights organized a private tour with our requests. Everything was perfect ?? the driver Tom and the guide Ying were always on time with a smile in their face. Always willing to help and make our trip perfect. Bangkok is a very hot city so we minimized the time outside. The driver always had cold towels for us in the van and cold beverages. More
Virginia, Feb 2024
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Thailand
We loved Chiang Mai and Susie did a great job showing us several temples, taking many pictures of us with the elephants at the sanctuary (a definite highlight of the entire trip!), and making sure we were well fed, which became a running joke between us.We had a very relaxing few days in Phuket enjoying the beautiful beaches. Kai was great, answering all of our questions and giving us a nice tour of the old town. The all-day speedboat tour of the Phi Phi islands started off a little shaky as the sea was quite rough so if you’re at all uncomfortable bouncing around in a speedboat, you might want to skip that tour. Things did calm down as the day went on and some of the areas they took us to for swimming, snorkeling, etc were really beautiful. A couple of the islands were too crowded with people. More
Andrea Roberts, Feb 2024
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What a Wonderful Trip
What a Wonderful Trip! We booked with Sharon and our trip was great - guides were waiting for us at each stop, and they were all very nice and helpful. I cannot stress how amazing the guides were - they made the trip. More
Rachel, Feb 2024
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Ask for Victor!
If you are traveling to Bangkhok you need to request Victor. He made our trip amazing! My family completed bucket list items with his guidance. He knew exactly how to get us places, kept us on time, made us feel safe, educated us on history, spoke excellent English and was genuinely a nice man! Everyone we encountered was awesome- but Victor is the reason for my 5 star review! More
Sandy, Jan 2024
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Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a…
Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a wonderful trip to Thailand. We had a great time. The tour guides were wonderful as were the hotels you booked for us. We will definitely contact you to plan our next trip More
Carol Yeung, Jan 2024
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Ying was the best
Ying was the best. She was really knowledgeable and kind. Thank you Ying for wonderful experience in Thailand! More
Sylvester Yeung, Jan 2024
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Very well organized
Very well organized. Our tour guide, Ying, was amazing! She had full knowledge of every location we visited and made sure our itinerary was fulfilled as expected. She was extremely helpful for our airport experiences, and made sure we arrived at an appropriate time. More
David M. Kang, Jan 2024
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Family trip to Thailand
We were lucky to be greeted by Marie and her driver.In Marie, we have made a friend for life. She is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about her home country. From the vast number of temples to safely traversing Chinatown.She helped give us tips on our free days, locate left behind lost clothing and arrange for pickup. She even helped check us in for our flight to Chiang Mai.She prepared us ahead of time for every event we had scheduled and bonded with our kids, 3x 13 year olds. More
Justin Levenbrook, Jan 2024
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Thailand with and amazing tour guide Ying
I highly recommend Ying as a tour guide in Thailand. Her expertise in Thai culture, combined with her passion for food and genuine love for her country, made the tour an exceptional experience. If you're looking for a guide who will not only show you the sights but also immerse you in the local culture and help you discover delicious Thai cuisine, Ying is the perfect choice. More
Diana Irizarry, Jan 2024
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Asia Highlights Thailand trip
Asia Highlights provided us with a great travel trip. They made it very easy to navigate through Thailand with everything going very smoothly. From the easy transportation to the great day itinerary everything was awesome. Will definitely look to use this agency again in the future. More
Taylor Jones, Jan 2024
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Perfect 2 WK Thailand Trip for a Solo Female Traveler
Bank was our guide in Bangkok and he showed us around the city with ease and we were able to see and try things I never would have planned on my own. After Bangkok, our small group flew to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng lantern festival and that was a breathtaking experience that I will never forget! Pop was our guide in this city and she was knowledgeable, kind and caring which made our experience even more memorable. More
Tia, Dec 2023
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We recently have just returned from Thailand
We recently have just returned one from a 5 week trip to Thailand through Asia Highlights. We had a wonderful time and Asia Highlights went beyond our expectations. They truly tried their best to make sure everything went smoothly and we were taken care of! Everyone was amazing and we would definitely use them in the future!! Many thanks to everyone that helped to make this an incredible once in a lifetime experience!! More
Karen Rocque, Dec 2023
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Indochina Experience
On our 5th day of our trip with Asiahighlights. We felt well taken care of before and it hasn’t changed since we started from Bangkok to Hanoi (guide Kim was verrry knowledgeable!) to Halong Bay (spectacular scenery) to Hoi An (guide Nhieu Tran, giving great local (shopping) tips and insights). More
Stefan Eisenhut, Dec 2023
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What to shop for in Chiang Mai
One of the reasons why tourists visit Chiang Mai is shopping. The city is known mainly because of the Saturday and Sunday markets and the Night Bazaar. Chiang Mai shopping is more handicraft-oriented than anywhere else in Thailand. The city is encircled by factories and workshops where you can watch craftspeople at work before buying their wares.
Silk and Textiles
Thai silk is celebrated for its outstanding quality, unique designs and affordability. It comes in an array of colors, patterns and plies, and is sold by the yard, or as ready-made clothing and souvenir items such as neckties, scarves, handkerchiefs, shawls, handbags, photo frames, bed covers and the likes.
Thai silk is said to be one of the best silks in the world and quite a number of factories of Thai silk are found in Chiang Mai. Prices and quality do vary greatly; you must be careful and make sure that it is real silk and not synthetic fabric. Also look out for the unique mat mee Thai silk, a traditional tie-dyed silk from the Northeast of Thailand.
Triangle Cushions
These cushions are essentially a stack of triangular cushion strips, arranged in a pyramid shape, and are usually combined with a traditional mat for sleeping or relaxing. The pillows you will see at markets are authentic, as there are no mass producers of them in the region at present. They are instead produced by local farmers during the winter months when agricultural activity is low.
Old mural paintings found throughout Northern Thailand indicate that triangle pillows were made at least as early as 1850. They seem to have been used widely in temples, where even the gods were seen reclining against them.
Soap Carvings
Soap carving is an ancient art practiced for many years in Thailand. A scented soap bar is painstakingly hand carved into a delicate flower, which is then hand-painted in lovely shades of purple, blue, pink and more.
You can find soap carvings all throughout Thailand, but the north is particularly known for its elaborate and varied designs. The Chiang Mai night markets are the center of trade for these intricately carved little pieces of art. Flower designs are by far the most popular.
Tea
Chiang Mai gets good tea-growing weather all year round. Tea was introduced to northern Thailand from China, and grows high in the mountains. Pay a visit to Warorot Market and Chiang Mai Night Bazaar to shop for almost every type of tea you could want, including green tea, red tea, black tea, flower teas such as chrysanthemum, osmanthus or rose, ginger tea, saffron tea, and fruit tea.
When you decide on what to buy, choose tea in a vacuum-sealed package versus tea sachets, which will stay fresh longer.
Paper Lanterns
Paper lanterns are small and simple hot air balloon-like contraptions and are commonly seen throughout Asia. Lanterns are a significant part of Chiang Mai's Yee-Peng Festival and New Year celebration, when thousands are released into the sky in a colorful display.
The Thai variety (khom loi) is made from lightweight rice paper and bamboo and is powered by a small candle that will stay lit even when the wind is strong.
If you want to bring one home you can find them in Warorot Market, usually from mid-October to February. Before you buy, check that the paper is in good condition and make sure whatever you choose can fit in your luggage.
Paper umbrellas
Another famous and distinctive northern craft are the paper umbrellas. Each one of these beautifully painted umbrellas is a unique work of art. The paper is made from the bark of a tree similar to the mulberry tree and is thin and light but waterproof.
4-Day Best of Chiang Mai Tour:
Local Markets in Chiang Mai
As a major handicraft center in the country, Chiang Mai offers shoppers of all tastes a great variety of things to buy like silk, silver, clothing, rattan, ceramics, interior decor, antiques, Buddhist art, etc. The list of options is endless for shopping in Chiang Mai. Here is a list of markets that are famous in Chiang Mai:
Warorot Market
Warorot Market is located on Wichayanon Road, near the Ping River. Warorot Market was built in 1910. At the present time, this market is the biggest shopping centre in Chinatown and a place to see real Chiang Mai.
The most famous souvenir here is northern style food. Kaeb mu (crispy pig skin), mu yo (traditional Thai pork sausage), and nam phrik num (traditional northern style green chili paste).
Outside the market building there are thousands of stalls that sell various food, clothing, souvenirs, household equipment, etc. Warorot market is open daily from 6 am; make sure to come early to avoid the crowds.
Ton Lam Yai (Flower Market)
The Chiang Mai Flower Market is located just opposite the Ping River, in the area of the Warorot Market. Ton Lam Yai is a great place to see interesting and unusual varieties of fruit, especially strawberries, which are rare in Thailand, but readily grow on the slopes of Chiang Mai's hills and mountains.
All year round you will find the market bursting with color and being perfumed by a hundred different kinds of flowers. Orchids, roses and countless other varieties of flowers are on sale, either cut or arranged, perfect for brightening up your hotel room. This market is open daily from 5am to 5pm.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar is located on Chang Klan Road. It is Chiang Mai's most popular shopping place in the old city and is a must for all visitors. It is a lively area with department stores, shops and stall vendors. It begins to come to life in the early evening and buzzes till midnight, but a few shops are open all day.
If you are looking for any kind of antiques, paintings, textiles, silverware and woodcrafts then this is the right place, and in general everything is cheaper than in Bangkok. 6 pm is the opening hour of this market.
Tips for shopping in Chiang Mai
- Prices at the Chiang Mai night markets are not fixed, so you should bargain for the right price. When you bargain, do not forget to have a friendly smile, which will make it easier for you to buy.
- Keep your belongings safe. Markets are always busy; carry your backpack in the front to prevent being pick-pocketed.
- Do not keep all your money in one place; separate smaller denominations for quicker transaction.
- Go as early as possible to avoid the crowds and traffic jam.
- Beware of scams, always check the quality of a product and the price. If the price seems too good to be true, then don't believe the item is good or authentic.
Shopping in Chiang Mai with Asia Highlights
Shopping can be stressful if you are not familiar with the area. Asia Highlights will help you to enjoy your shopping without worrying about finding the right place and the things you look for. Send us an inquiry if you are interested or have questions.
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Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.
moreOur guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!
moreOur China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.
moreShe was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,
moreOur tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.
moreHe picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreOur day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.
moreXian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.
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