7 Best Day and Night Markets in Chiang Mai

Updated: 30 October, 2024

Here are the best day and night markets in Chiang Mai, where you can buy flowers, handicrafts, and delicious food at a bargain price.

When you travel to Chiang Mai you can't miss visiting its markets to taste the culinary delights of northern Thailand at a good price, which according to many people, northern Thai cuisine is the best.

The markets are also a good place to see the daily life of local people and buy souvenirs, because when it comes to Thai crafts, the best ones are also from the north of the country.

Types of Markets in Chiang Mai

In Chiang Mai, as the rest of Thailand, you will find different types of markets that can be classified as indoor and outdoor, which are street markets.

They can also be divided according to what they sell, although the vast majority of markets sell food, because food is something that is never lacking.

In Chiang Mai, you will find the typical fresh food markets selling fruits and vegetables, but also delicious snacks, prepared food and desserts that you won't be able to resist.

Other important markets are the flower markets, due to the importance of the Buddhist offerings made with flowers.

However, the most crowded markets, without a doubt, are the popular night markets in Chiang Mai, where tourists and locals flock in search of delicacies.

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1. Warorot Market and night market

Warorot Market is a must-visit market in Chiang Mai for street food lovers.

It is located in the Chinatown district, which is worth spending a few hours exploring the surrounding area and, of course, enjoying the food.

⭐ Check out this article for a more in-depth exploration of Chiang Mai's Chinatown, where I share all the best things to see and do, including its vibrant markets.

Warorot Market, known locally as Kad Luang, is a four-story building with most of the shops located on the ground floor.

On the basement level, there is a food court with several restaurants that offer affordable and delicious food.

Warorot is a popular shopping place for its wide range of local products typical of northern Thai cuisine.

Here, you will find fruits and vegetables, prepared food, curious snacks, teas, and spices, a real treat for the senses.

Warorot opens from 4am to 5pm.

Once the indoor market closes, the surrounding streets begin to transform into a vibrant night market filled with stalls of exquisite Thai food.

A very good alternative to visit the markets and learn about Thai food is to take a gastronomic tour of Chiang Mai.

The tour is led by a local expert who takes you to the best street food stalls, and it's very affordable because the food is included in the price.

You can check the availability and book here below:

🎥 Fun fact: some scenes from the movie American Gangster with Denzel Washington were filmed on the streets next to Warorot Market. You can read more in this article about 7 Movies Filmed in Thailand.

2.- Flower Market – Talat Ton Lam Yai

Next to Warorot, you can find Talat Ton Lam Yai Market, located next to the river. It is a building with similar characteristics to Warorot. On the ground floor, you can find the meat, fresh and dried fish section..

On the same floor, you can find the Flower Market, which is a few stalls of flowers with their colorful arrangements and floral offerings facing the street in front of the river.

Buddhists offer different types of offerings in temples every day, including food, water, incense, and flowers.

This is why flowers are so important in a country like Thailand, where the vast majority of the population is Buddhist.

At Talat Ton Lam Yai, you can find Thai vendors crafting Buddhist floral offerings, just like the ones in the photo above.

3.- Hmong Market

In a small alleyway less than 100 meters from Warorot Market, you can find the Hmong Market. This is a handicraft market, although there are also a few food stalls on the same street.

The Hmong are an ethnic minority from China and several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.

In this small market, you can buy colorful textile handicrafts, as well as garments with intricate designs.

The Hmong textile handicraft techniques are passed down from mother to daughter, and they begin learning them at the young age of 3. There are hundreds of patterns with geometric designs.

The Hmong Market is a great place to buy uniques souvenirs or gifts, such as the cushion covers in the photo below, keychains, bags, and clothing.

⭐ You may also be interested in this article about What to buy in Thailand: 20 Souvenirs and Gifts.

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4.- Night Bazaar

The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a must-visit for travelers, and it's also a popular spot for locals and expats alike.

Here, you'll find clothes, handicrafts, bags, hats, and just about anything else you could want. It's one of the most important shopping destinations in Chiang Mai.

Of course, there are also plenty of stalls selling traditional northern Thai food.

Vendors start setting up their stalls at 5pm, and by 7pm, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is bustling with activity and the delicious aromas of Thai food.

👍 My two cents: haggle for anything you're buying, except food.

5.- Chiang Mai Gate Night Market

Right in the heart of Chiang Mai's old town, once the Chiang Mai Gate indoor market closes, small street food stalls start popping up along the street next to the main gate and on the opposite sidewalk.

It's definitely the best night market in Chiang Mai, at least it's my favorite because it has a more relaxed atmosphere, without the crowds of the Night Bazaar and other night markets in the city.

Plus, there's a wide variety of traditional dishes, from the famous Pad Thai, delicious Thai grilled meat skewers called Satay, and exquisite desserts.

This night market in Chiang Mai is exclusively for food and is frequented by locals. The stalls on the opposite sidewalk offer a more relaxed atmosphere to sit down and enjoy a meal.

⭐ In this Comprehensive Guide to Thai Food you can read more about the best traditional dishes, street food, and a ton of tips.

6.- Jing Jai Farmers Market & Rustic Market

The Jing Jai Rustic Market is a modern, hipster-style market that sells handicrafts, clothes, and second-hand items, especially clothes and accessories.

The market also has coffee stands worthy of the best baristas, pastries, and other delicacies.

Jing Jai Rustic Market is perfect for spending a relaxing Sunday morning, doing some shopping, and enjoying the gastronomy.

Next door is the Farmers Market, a traditional market for fruits, vegetables and prepared foods.

It is a market well appreciated by locals who look for fresh, high-quality food directly from farmers, many of whom offer organic products.

These two markets are only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 am to 1 pm.

👍Friend's tip: if you're a graffiti enthusiast, check out the abandoned building next door to the market. It's been transformed into a "gallery" where dozens of graffiti artists have left their mark. It's definitely worth taking a stroll around.

7. Sunday night market

Another of the most popular markets in Chiang Mai is the night market that is set up on Rachadamnoen Road in the heart of the old town, from Tha Phae Gate.

At this Sunday market, you'll find hundreds of stalls serving mouth-watering food.

Plus, it's a great place to buy clothes and souvenirs at a good price. If you're looking for the iconic elephant pants, this is the place to buy them. 😄

If you're only in Chiang Mai for a few days, try to plan to be there on Sunday night and don't miss this fantastic market, which can get pretty crowded. 😅

Map of Chiang Mai Markets

* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.

Final Thoughts

These are the best markets in Chiang Mai, whether you're looking for a night market, a daytime market, or a place to eat cheap food and buy souvenirs.

In this guide to Thailand you can keep reading the main articles I’ve written about this beautiful country.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘

More about Chiang Mai and Thailand

• What is Muay Thai? – 5 Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai
• 5 Best Yoga Studios in Chiang Mai – Thailand
• Monks Trail in Chiang Mai
• What to see in Chiang Mai – 14 best plans
• 5 Best Areas in Chiang Mai to Stay
• 7 Best Floating Markets in Bangkok