Chiang Mai Shopping

Hang Dong - Chom Thong - Hot route

The road to Hang Dong - Chom Thong - Hot is dotted with shops selling intricate handcrafted woodcarvings, wooden furniture, porcelain and other handicrafts.

Shops selling handicrafts and gifts are scattered all over the town. There are three main markets which have a wide selection of Northern treasures: Wararot Market at the eastern end of Chang Moi Road, Wua Lai Road and the Night Bazaar on and off Chang Khlan Road.

Night Bazaar

For those who enjoy honing their bargaining skills, this is the place to be. The Night Bazaar is probably the largest outlet of local handicrafts with hundreds of stalls and shops stretching along a long section of Chang Khlan Road. Interesting products are hill tribe crafts, hand-woven fabrics, clothes, silver jewelry, antiques, lacquer ware, woodcarvings, pottery, basketry, and other local items.

Villages

Ban Si Pan Khrua is famous for bamboo products and lacquerware. The village is located in Tha Sala sub-district.
Ban Muang Kung is located in Nong Khwai sub-district, Hang Dong District. It is famous for earthenware.
Ban Roi Chan, located in Nong Khwai sub-district, Hang Dong District. It is famous for basketry products.
Ban Kuan Thahan Kaeo is located in Thahan Kaeo sub-district, Hang Dong District. It is famous for earthenware.
Ban Nong Ap Chang is located in Sop Tia sub-district, Chom Thong District. It is famous for handmade naturally dyed cotton.
Ban Don Kaeo is located in Don Kaeo sub-district, Saraphi District. It is famous for bucket weaving.
Ban Pa Bong is located in Pha Bong sub-district, Saraphi District. It is well known for woven products.
Ban Ton Pao is located in Ton Pao sub-district, San Kamphaeng District. It is well known for its high-quality Sa paper products.
Ban Ton Phung is located in Ton Pao Sub-district, San Kamphaeng District. The village is famous for umbrella making and woodcarving.

Useful tips: for heavy shoppers, please note that packing, shipping and removal services are available. To select the courier that suits your individual needs, check out the list in the local free copy magazines. They are available everywhere.

Y. Development Cooperation (YC)

Located in Soi Mengrairasmi, Sermsuk Road The YMCA of Chiang Mai established the Y. Development Cooperation in 1986 to market and sell handicrafts and natural products, produced in the cottage-industry fashion by poor rural people. The YC offers a wide range of products such as ceramics, Christmas decorations, candle holders, fabrics, lanterns, jewelry, Sa paper products, wooden products, silver plated products etc.



Bo Sang & San Kamphaeng route

This is the most famous route for those in search of excellent handicafts. On both sides of San Kamphaeng Road, are showrooms and factories where you can see how the products including silk, cotton, lacquer ware, ceramics, silverware, leather ware, umbrellas, woodcarvings and antiques are actually produced.



Furniture/ Woodcarving

Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous temples. This tradition has been passed on for generations so it can be preserved in different ways. Furniture carving is considered one way of preservation. Teak, rosewood and rattan are being crafted both in traditional and modern designs. Woodcarving products range from gracing screens, chairs, tables, beds, to carved elephants, figurines and tableware. You can easily find them in shops located in San Kamphaeng and Ban Tawai (apparently Thailand's woodcarving capital). Gold Plated Orchids & Butterflies

Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated in 24 carat gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.

Hill tribe Products

Exotic, traditional and unique, products are sold by hill tribe people dressed in traditional costumes. It is not possible to resist buying one of the hand-made silver ornaments, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, hairpins, pipes, and embroidered items that are available. In addition, there are tunics, jackets, bags, purses, caps and dress lengths, colorful embroidery, hand-woven textiles and other handicrafts made of bamboo and other natural materials to be chosen from.

Lacquer ware

Products are interestingly made by decorating wooden, bamboo, metal, paper and baked clay items with layers of black lacquer and then finishing with golden designs. The classic texture has made them a perfect gift, souvenir or ornament for visitors. Factories and shops can be found along San Kamphaeng and Chang Khlan Roads.

Pottery/Celadon (Ceramics)

Celadon, the unique Thai ceramic in soft green and blue tones, is produced locally in many forms. They include dinner sets, vases, tea sets, burners, lamp bases and other decorative home items. Recommended places to visit are Hang Dong sub-district where a large number of factories are located. For art lovers, a visit to Nimmanhemin Road is worth it, as there are many interesting art galleries offering intriguing celadon products.

Sa (Mulberry) Paper Products

Chiang Mai is also famous for its Sa paper products a handmade, multi-purpose natural fiber. Sa products that come in different, distinctive designs include cards, notebooks, stationery, boxes, bags, photo frames, lanterns, gift wrapping paper, etc.

Silk, Cotton & Textiles

First-class Chiang Mai silk, cotton and other hand-woven fabrics (hill tribe products) are famous for its uniqueness and classic quality that shines over time. The largest possible selection is available in San Kamphaneg.

Silverware

Visitors can stroll along Wua Lai Road to discover exquisite silverware made with traditional skills, which have been passed on from generation to generation. A guaranteed content of at least 92.5 % pure silver is a mark of their quality. Recommended items include investiture bowls, receptacles and decorative items.

Umbrellas/ Parasols

Located on San Kamphaeng Road, Bor Sang is dubbed as the umbrella village. It is the place where villagers have been engaged in umbrella making based on their local wisdom for over 200 years. All materials, including silk, bamboo, sa paper (mulberry paper), are found locally.

Be amazed at hundreds of hand-painted umbrellas in different designs and sizes, from miniature ones to the super big. Apart from the umbrella, fans and other handmade products of Sa paper are also available in both classic and modern designs.

This content has been provided by Tourism Autority of Thailand