14 Best Markets In Chiang Mai (Day and Night Markets)

If there’s anything you need to know about me, it’s that I LOVE markets. Farmers markets, flea markets, weekend markets, night markets, you name it. I’m obsessed with all of it.

So when I had 10 days to myself in Chiang Mai, you best believe I spent most of that time exploring every market I could fit into my days/nights!

And in Chiang Mai, there are a LOT of markets. While most people know Thailand for its night markets, it might come as a surprise to you that there are also a handful of really awesome daytime markets too.

Spoiler alert: The Coconut Market is by far one of my favorite daytime markets in Chiang Mai!

This article highlights all of my favorite daytime markets and night markets within Chiang Mai. I hope the photos and my experiences there will give you a sense of what you can expect during your nights in the city.

Trust me when I tell you that the city REALLY comes alive at night!

Oh and if you’re not a fan of crowds (OR you absolutely thrive in crowded places), I’ve got you. Each market is rated with a crowd level of 1-5, with 5 being the most crowded.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

---

---

Map Of My Favorite Day/Night Markets In Chiang Mai

---

Best Night Markets In Chiang Mai

Anusarn Market

Open nightly 5–11 PM | best for shopping

This was the first night market I stumbled on during my time in Chiang Mai. And looking back on it, Anusarn Market is where I found the best prices on Thai souvenirs and clothing!

The market area is pretty large and spacious as it stretches and veers off the main road of Changklan Road. You’ll find no shortage of trinkets, clothing, bags, teakwood products, and other traditional Thai goods here!

I got my very first pair of 100% cotton pants here as well as a few crochet-knitted keychain souvenirs for a GREAT deal! Hint hint: head to the stalls in the back for the deals!

You’ll also find the Anusarn Food Court which will pretty much have your entire dinner covered — from drinks to the entree to dessert. Everything is super affordable; you’ll probably struggle to spend over $10 USD in food alone!

Crowd levels: 3 – Not bad! In hindsight, shopping here was a much more comfortable experience than shopping/walking along the main Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. So if you’re not too big of a fan of crowds, Anusarn Market’s got lots of wide open space for you to do some nighttime eating and shopping!

Kalare Night Bazaar

Open nightly 4–11:30 PM | best for food

Located along the Chiang Mai Night Market Street is yet another large food court area called the Kalare Night Bazaar. This one’s a lively one no matter which day you visit as it’s situated right in the center of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

I visited twice (both of which were weekdays) and it had a neverending stream of live music, food, carnival-style games, and even a small boxing stadium where boxing matches take place! 

Some of the foods I enjoyed at this night market included a grilled squid (all to myself, I might add), chicken rice, and a pad kra pow with a fried egg. All were delicious!

Crowd levels: 3-4. Because the Anusarn Food Court and the Ploen Ruedee Night Market are within steps from this one, dining crowds aren’t too bad. On weekdays, you’ll be able to find a seat even during the dinner rush. On weekends, it’ll be a bit more difficult, but still doable!

👉 Can’t get enough of the night market action? Pavilion Night Bazaar is situated between Anusarn Market and Kalare Night Bazaar. You’ll pass by it naturally as you walk on the main road.

Ploen Ruedee Night Market

Open nightly 6 PM–12 AM | best for food

This trendy-looking night market (more of a bustling outdoor food court than anything else) is teeming with hungry people. Because it’s so close to the Night Bazaar, it’s a good one to pair with a night on the eastern side of the Old City (you can hit up Anusarn Market, Kalare Night Bazaar, and Chiang Mai Night Bazaar all in one go).

Because it does seem trendier than both the Kalare food court and the Anusarn food court, expect prices to be ever-so-slightly more expensive than the latter. Having said that, food is so cheap in Chiang Mai and the rest of Thailand that you’ll barely even notice the difference!

You’ll find all your usual suspects here, grilled squid and seafood, Northern Thai-style sausages, papaya salad, noodles, wok-fried dishes, and even some western options like BBQ and burgers.

Once you’re done with dinner, don’t miss out on a roti, rolled ice cream, coconut pancakes, mango sticky rice, or a French-style crepe!

Crowd levels: 3-4. Because the Anusarn Food Court and the Kalare Night Bazaar are within steps from this one, dining crowds aren’t too bad. On weekdays, you’ll be able to find a seat even during the dinner rush. On weekends, it’ll be a bit more difficult, but still doable!

Wu Lai Walking Street

Open Saturday nights 5 PM–11 PM | best for food / shopping

Wu Lai Walking Street is a massive Saturday-only night market.

When you look for this night market on the map, you’ll notice that the street forms a diagonal line across the grid. This market truly spans the ENTIRE length of the street!

And there are vendors on both sides so you’ll really only get to see one side at a time!

There are three food courts back to back in the middle of the walking street, so take a peek at each of them to find what you’re feeling peckish for! And if your feet get tired of walking, you could pop over to the side and get yourself a foot massage (you’ll see them offered all over the place).

As a solo traveler in search of dinner and perhaps some shopping opportunities as well, this market took me about 2 1/2 hours to get through. I suspect that if you’re traveling with someone else, or even a group, the market will take you MUCH longer to get through.

Crowd levels: 4-5. It gets crazy from 6pm – 7pm, so my tip is to show up after most people’s dinner times (just before closing would be ideal). That way, you won’t be dealing with the crazy crowds that tend to get in the way of your shopping and browsing!

Tha Phae Walking Street (Sunday Walking Street)

Open Sunday nights 5–10:30 PM | best for shopping

Tha Phae Walking Street is MASSIVE and easily the largest night market in Chiang Mai.

Tha Phae Walking Street, also known as the Sunday Walking Street, takes place every Sunday evening in the heart of the Old City in Chiang Mai. It spans the entire length of the Old City, which is 2km (1.25 miles).

Yes, you understood that right. There are 2 km of pure shopping and eating opportunities.

During the day, it might just look like a regular street, but during the night? I hope you’re holding onto your pants! Tha Phae Walking Street transforms into a lively market filled with too many stalls and vendors to count. The street is closed to traffic during this time, allowing pedestrians to freely explore the market.

Like other night markets, this one is known for its wide array of local handicrafts, unique artworks, traditional textiles, and handmade goods. It’s an excellent place to shop for souvenirs and experience the rich artistic culture of Chiang Mai.

Feet tired from a long day of walking? Neck/back sore from carrying your bags all day? There are SO many opportunities to get head/neck/back massages or foot massages at the night market!

I’d also recommend you not come super hungry because, on the main street, you’ll find more light snacks and dessert options than actual dinner meal options.

Aside from one area flanked by two main food courts across from each other (by Watsumpow temple and Wat Phan On), I noticed mostly ice cream, drinks, coconuts, waffles, and roti stands on the actual walking street.

Having said that, you will be able to find a handful of restaurants along the street you could pop in to dine at. 

I ended up getting way too tired (of walking) to finish the length of the night market, so there very well might be additional food courts, but I didn’t get the chance to run into them during my time there!

Crowd levels: 5 – Bad! Since it’s only open once a week, you can pretty much expect that most tourists will flock to this night market when Sunday rolls around. During the hours of about 6-8pm, expect a shoulder-to-shoulder walking experience. Okay, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but you’ll for sure be walking at a snail’s pace because of the two-way foot traffic jams.

For people who are not fans of crowds, you might want to show up either at the beginning of the market when it opens or towards the end near closing time to avoid the crowds.

👉 Pro Tip: If you need to use the bathroom during your night out at Tha Phae Walking Street, just head to the temples. They’ll have restrooms that you can use for a small, nominal fee.

Chiang Mai University Night Market

Open nightly 5–11 PM – best for food and shopping

Cheap eats, cheap things to buy, what’s not to love?

Located by Chiang Mai University in the outskirts of town is yet another night market featuring stalls selling handicrafts, clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and most importantly… FOOD.

This one is more popular among the locals because not too many foreigners know about this one. Or perhaps they don’t linger long enough to check this one off their list when there are closer, more popular markets closer to the Old City such as the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and the ever-popular Sunday night market on Tha Phae Walking Street?

Either way, I really like this one because of how low-key it is. You won’t encounter shoulder-to-shoulder-packed walkways as you would at other night markets, which is one of the reasons why it’s totally my jam!

Crowd levels: 3. Not bad.

White Market At One Nimman

Open Friday to Sunday nights 3–10 PM – best for shopping

“White Market” is a market formed by the gathering of Japanese people living in Chiang Mai Province. This market combines Japanese and Lanna cultures together to form an incredibly cute shopping experience.

You can expect to find fashion clothing, embroidery, crocheted items, shoes, jewelry, home decor, health products, artwork, and more.

The White Market at One Nimman reminded me a lot of the Jing Jai Market. In fact, a few of the vendors that I saw at Jing Jai Market were at the White Market! Or their merchandise, at least.

If you’re planning a visit to the Nimman area, I’d recommend visiting around 3pm. That way, you can go to the MAYA Lifestyle Mall or peruse the permanent shops within One Nimman while the White Market vendors get set up.

Once the early evening rolls around, shop the White Market, then head back into One Nimman for the street food!

Crowd levels: 2-3. Not bad. You can show up earlier (like from the hours of 3-6 pm) for the least amount of crowds.

Street Food @ One Nimman

Open daily until 9 PM – best for food

Street Food @ One Nimman is an indoor food court that gives you the pleasure and comfort of an indoor setting with all of the outdoor night market charm. You’ll find a dozen or so food vendors within the food court, including stalls that sell stir-fried dishes, noodle soups, coconut desserts, smoothies, and more.

But One Nimman doesn’t have just this food court. Head outside to the courtyard at One Nimman and you’ll find a ton more stalls that give off those traditional night market vibes despite being in a super trendy setting. These outdoor food stalls close around 10pm.

Crowd levels: 3. Not bad, since the shopping is sort of separated from the food. You can show up earlier for the least amount of crowds.

Think Park Night Market

Open daily 6-12 AM – best for food

For even more night market goodness in the Nimman area, cross the street to Think Park where you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Japan!

Think Park is home to some permanent shops selling all kinds of cute stuff. There are also lots of coffee shops and dessert shops here — both of which are great places to hang out while the sun is still up.

During the early evening, you’ll start to see food stalls getting set up for dinner time.

Here’s why I think this night market is SO unique — you’ve got street stalls set up, and most of the restaurants here have a Japanese theme to them. Think ramen, okonomiyaki, and other Japanese delights. It’s not the biggest, but the Japanese theme sure makes it unique.

It’s a relaxing place to unwind, and you can follow it up with some bar-hopping in the Nimman area!

Crowd levels: 3. Not bad. Gets the busiest during prime time dinner hours.

---

Best Daytime Markets In Chiang Mai

Jing Jai Market

Open daily 8 AM–10 PM | best for shopping

The Jing Jai Market is a super fun and picturesque place to spend a couple of hours of your day! It can be best described as an outdoor mecca for sustainable, handmade goods.

The market is characterized by a plethora of stalls and pop-up shops, each offering something really unique. Most of the items you’ll find here are either handmade or at the very least of higher quality, unlike what’s sold at some of the other markets in Chiang Mai.

From intricately crafted jewelry, pottery, and textiles to eco-friendly home goods, you can explore a wide range of locally produced items.

If you’re looking for rock-bottom bargain deals, this is NOT the place for you! Handmade usually means higher prices, so be prepared to find higher prices here compared to what you’ll find at some of the other markets on this list.

Amidst the pop-up shops, Jing Jai Market also hosts a few permanent establishments. These include artisanal boutiques, galleries, and eateries that have become staples in the market.

At the heart of the market, there is a gift shop-style supermarket offering a curated selection of unique items like durian, jackfruit, teas, and other things you can bring home as gifts.

Jing Jai Market is also home to some really good coffee, so be sure to stop by a coffee cart or a coffee shop that offers a variety of specialty brews.

Crowd levels: 2-3. Not bad. Because of how much space there is all around the market, you won’t feel suffocated by crowds even if there are lots of people visiting. All in all, it’s a really comfortable place to shop!

Coconut Market

Open Saturdays 8 AM – 3 PM | best for food / shopping

The Coconut Market is by far one of my favorite daytime markets on this list. Why? It’s a charming little market in a postcard-perfect setting!

Despite Coconut Market being a pretty small market (based on Thailand’s definition of markets), I love it for its super charming setting. This daytime market consists of about 50 or so stalls set in a coconut field. It’s SO cute.

The setting is what this market is ALL about. It’s honestly the cutest thing I’ve seen in Chiang Mai… aside from the elephants at the elephant sanctuaries.

There’s a good mix of food vendors and stalls selling products such as clothing, hats, bags, and medicinal things. There’s live music, really affordable food, and even a few health/wellness stalls where you can get a toxin/bamboo massage in 10-minute increments.

While you’re there, be sure to eat/drink a couple of coconut things! I’m talking coconut ice cream, fresh coconut water, coconut rolls, coconut and sugar cane juice (my new favorite drink!) — you’re in the land of coconuts for goodness sake!

Crowd levels: 2-3. Worse the later it gets. Because of the fact that it gets crowded and hot in the afternoon, I’d recommend getting there before 10:30 am to enjoy the atmosphere before all the other tourists start showing up. You’ll get cleaner photos and a way more tranquil experience that way! 

Warorot Market

Open daily 4 AM–6 PM | best for shopping

Warorot Market is your no-frills, “mainly locals” type of indoor market located in Chiang Mai’s Chinatown. Because this market opens up at 4 am, it’s a daytime affair.

This would be THE place to stock up on edible souvenirs and snacks for your personal enjoyment while in Chiang Mai. The best part about it is that the prices are really reasonable and not marked up to trick tourists.

Among the plethora of dried fruits, you’ll also find stuff like herbs and spices, teas, medicines, clothing, wooden homeware, Buddhist relics, and candied desserts. 

The indoor market technically has three floors, but most of the vendors you’d be interested in are all on the main floor. Be sure to walk through some of the hallways on the outskirts of the building too for even more goods!

Crowd levels: 1-2. Not bad. I was mostly among locals, with the occasional tourist here and there.

Chinatown Streets

The blocks surrounding Warorot Market make up Chiang Mai’s Chinatown, which branches out down Chang Moi, Kuang Men, and Wichayanon roads.

On your way to Warorot Market, you’ll probably pass through Kuang Men Road. This shopping street is on the way to Wararot Market and is the main place where locals do their fabric shopping.

It’s a good place to peruse if you’re in the market for silk products, traditional Thai clothing, hats, home goods, fabrics, and more. 

Make a stop at the Hmong Market, where you can shop for clothes, jewelry, and assorted souvenirs that are a bit harder to find at the regular night markets.

Crowd levels: 1-2. Not bad. I was mostly among locals, with the occasional tourist here and there.

Siri-wattana Market (Tha-nin Market)

Open daily 5 AM–8 PM | best for food

Siri-wattana Market is probably the most authentic, non-touristy food hall on this list. Expect to see signs with no English at all — which can be perfect for more adventurous foodies who want to eat whatever appeals to their eyeballs.

You’ll find a ton of already prepared foods in the market area (most of which they’ll bag up so you can carry it back to your hotel), or you can head to the food court area to enjoy a meal right then and there.

I found that prices for food was the lowest here because of the fact that the market is geared towards locals as opposed to tourists, so that’s a major plus if you’re looking to save a few baht here and there.

Even though I didn’t eat here (solo travel can be hard in the sense that you really can’t eat a lot on your own!), the food looked amazing and as Thai as you could get. You’ll find lots of traditional Thai dishes including whole fried fish, Northern Thai sausages, meat skewers, desserts, and lots of spicy dishes!

Bathrooms can be found in the outskirts of the market for about 5 baht fee.

Crowd levels: 1. Not bad at all. I was mostly among locals.

---

My #1 Favorite Activity In Chiang Mai

If you’re heading to Chiang Mai, my absolute favorite activity is taking a food tour!

A Chef’s Tour is hands-down the best food tour company in Southeast Asia, and in Chiang Mai, they offer two incredible experiences with 15+ tastings: Lanna Kingdom (daytime tour) and Northern Flavours (evening tour).

The Lanna Kingdom food tour kicks off in the morning at a bustling local market, where you’ll sample a variety of Northern Thai dishes and learn about their origins. Then, it’s off to savor the city’s famous khao soi and indulge in Thai-style grilled chicken with zingy papaya salad.

On the nighttime Northern Flavours tour, you’ll hop into a rod daeng truck and dive deep into the influence of Burmese cuisine on Northern Thai food, exploring secret street eats and local markets.

Both tours offer a unique (and delicious) way to experience Chiang Mai’s rich food scene!

---

Looking for more Thailand travel tips? Read more:

8 Things To Do In Nimmanhaemin: Chiang Mai’s Trendy Neighborhood

How To Use Airalo eSIM In Thailand (And Asia)

Other Posts You’ll Love: