Shopping and Food Walking Tour (Self Guided), Chiang Mai

The shopping street between Chiang Mai’s Narawat Bridge and Tha Pae Gate is full of unique finds. Visitors can browse rare antiques, colorful textiles, and traditional clothing, while orchids and flowers add vibrancy to the scene.

Every Sunday at 4:00 pm, Tha Pae Road closes to traffic and transforms into a bustling night market. Hundreds of stalls sell street food, handicrafts, souvenirs, textiles, clothes, and trinkets. Friendly bargaining is common, whether you’re hunting for a silk scarf, a spice collection, a wooden carving, or a small Buddha image.

Temples along the road often become food courts, offering everything from mango sticky rice to deep-fried crickets and fresh juice. Street artists provide portraits or caricatures, while musicians, dancers, and performers bring the market to life.

When your feet get tired, relax with a refreshing drink or a foot massage. Beyond the shopping, the market offers an immersive cultural experience where locals and tourists mingle, sample tasty treats, and enjoy lively performances together.

A three-block stretch of shops along the Chang Klan Road, the Night Bazaar is Chiang Mai’s shopper’s paradise with shops selling a range of products at pocket-friendly prices and upmarket goods for the more discerning. The Chinese, mostly immigrants from the province of Yunnan, celebrate the New Year here. Lacquered duck, spring rolls, fried noodles, ice cream and surprise cakes are everywhere; this place has a variety that makes your mouth water and it's all very cheap.

This is the cheapest place for purchasing a range of products and tourist souvenirs in Thailand. One can buy antiques, Thai silk, (fake) Rolex watches, cheap luggage, video games and cheap CDs and DVDs in the small shops that are found everywhere. It is also popular with tourists for the many establishments that offer services like camera shops, mobile phone shops, travel agents, internet cafes and tailoring. One can choose and purchase Thai silk and get a custom-made suit stitched in one day. One can also get a portrait painted at the bazaar in traditional Thai attire. Most tourist souvenirs and handicrafts are mass-produced but one can spot a unique object among them.

Notable buildings along the market are the Ven Ping Night Bazaar with two floors of shops selling authentic antiques, clothing, and crafts. The Kalare Center building has a selection of restaurants serving traditional Thai and international cuisines. The Chang Klan Plaza is an indoor shopping center with high-end stores and the Anusarn Market has eateries serving a variety of seafood dishes.

Tip:
Be prepared to shop around and barter to get the best prices. If items are not priced, it's best to keep walking. If you go inside the large interior Anusarn area, prices are much more reasonable.

Ploen Ruedee Night Market opens at sunset. Taste your way through the night while enjoying various street food, Thai food, and international cuisine. The food stalls are all set up on the outside of the market; visitors can browse and wander before committing. The inside of the market is filled with different seating options, from hay bales to tables and chairs.

Food options include standard Western fares such as pizzas, burgers, and gyros. There are plenty of local Thai stalls. Try the satay or pad Thai. International fare includes Korean and Chinese options. You'll also find snacks such as pancakes and amazing desserts such as ice cream.

Order from the bar and enjoy the live music and entertainment. Enjoy traditional Lanna music and dance performances. Popular contemporary bands also play nightly.

While the focus is on the food, you can also shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, and jewelry.

Warorot Market is one of the city’s oldest and largest markets. Historically, the river played an important role in transporting goods, although land routes were also significant for trade. Today, the market remains a lively hub for both locals and visitors, offering a wide variety of northern Thai specialties and everyday goods.

Shoppers can explore northern Thai flavors that are hard to find elsewhere, such as northern Thai sausage, green chili paste, and a range of dried fruits. The market also features clothing, handicrafts, and colorful fabrics sold by the yard. Fresh flowers, candies, nuts, and cooking ingredients are also widely available, making Warorot Market a convenient place to stock up on essentials or find souvenirs.

For local residents, Warorot Market is an essential shopping destination. Vendors sell household items like woks, rice steamers, pickled tea leaves, and small statues. The fresh fruit section offers a colorful array of seasonal produce, including lychees, mangosteens, longans, and rambutans, allowing visitors to sample tropical flavors unique to northern Thailand.

The market is also a popular spot for street food. Visitors can enjoy traditional dishes such as Khao Soi, the region’s creamy coconut curry noodle soup, or fried pork and other snacks. For those who want to continue exploring, the nearby Talat Ton Lam Yai flower market provides a fragrant and colorful extension to the shopping experience. Between local produce, handicrafts, and street food, Warorot Market offers a rich glimpse into Chiang Mai’s daily life and cultural traditions.