Chiang Mai, one of Thailand’s provinces, offers year-round travel opportunities due to its cooler weather compared to other regions. Chiang Mai is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this province is renowned for its unique “slow life” lifestyle, where the locals embrace a distinctive way of living. The cultural scene in Chiang Mai is equally captivating, with mesmerizing music, performances, costumes, and mouthwatering cuisine.

If you’re planning to visit Chiang Mai and experience its rich culture, make sure not to miss the vibrant “Walking Street” and night food markets. In this blog, we have compiled a list of the 7 most popular walking streets and night food markets for you to explore. These destinations perfectly capture the essence of Chiang Mai’s captivating culture. Start your journey now and get ready to be enchanted by the cultural wonders this city has to offer!

 

Thapae Walking Street 

Tha Pae Walking Street” is a popular check-in point that everybody who visits Chiang Mai must visit at least once. The location is on Tha Phae Road and is considered a bustling tourist destination throughout the year. In addition to being a check-in source for tourists, locals love to walk around this walking street. Here, you can find a variety of products, starting from food, including Thai cuisine, local delicacies, various international dishes, and a wide selection of menus to choose from. Vendors offer small portions at affordable prices, allowing you to taste a variety of items. The clothing options are also interesting, featuring native products such as scarves, hand-woven fabrics, tribal items, and home decorations like lamps, handmade dolls, paintings, and wood carvings. Moreover, you can enjoy various performances of folk musical instruments along the route. The walking street begins at Tha Phae Gate, where you can find souvenirs, food, and fruits on both sides of the road. Additionally, there are food centers within the temple area, which are situated along the walking street. You will notice a sign at the entrance to the temple. While walking along the street, you can also visit Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Phan Tao, which are popular among tourists due to their beautiful scenery ideal for night photography. Each temple has different entrance fees, ranging from 20 to 50 baht per person. Some temples simply have a donation box based on individual faith. 

After a long walk, if you feel tired, you can avail yourself of the Thai massage service, which is available at many points along the walking street. The duration of the massage starts from 30 minutes.

 

Open time:  06.00 pm to 10:00 pm every Sunday.

 

Wua Lai Roa

“Wua Lai Road” is a famous street where people make silverware. It has been popular for a long time. It’s another lively walking street that attracts both local and international tourists. You can find many different things to buy there, like clothes, food, souvenirs, and local artwork. It’s a great place to try delicious street food at affordable prices. While you walk around, you can also enjoy folk music performances that create a nice atmosphere. Wua Lai Road is similar to Tha Pae Walking Street, with its vendors, products, and even massage shops. If you only have time on a Saturday or Sunday, you can choose one of these places to visit. But don’t miss out on a special location called Wat Sri Suphan. It’s a temple where villagers used their skills and beliefs to build it. Many parts of the temple are made by hand (please note that there might be an entrance fee).

 

Open time:  5:00 pm to 11:00 pm every Saturday

 

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Market

 

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Market is the best place for souvenirs that are popular among tourists. The market is popular to visit for both Thai and foreign tourists. The Night Bazaar area has hotels, including many well-known hotels, restaurants, bars, and massages shop to choose from. There is also a food court with reasonable prices. Since it is open every day, it has a greater number of stores than other markets. In addition to the famous souvenirs, there are many food options available. You can find various food courts such as Anusarn Market, Galae and Ploen Ruedee. Another highlight of this street is the presence of art. The Night Bazaar displays many works of art waiting for you to explore.

 

Open time:  5:00 pm to 12:00 pm  Everyday

Nimmanhaemin Road

If you are fond of stylish and unique products, we recommend that you visit “Nimmanhaemin Road” located in the bustling area of Chiang Mai, specifically Nimman Road. This market specializes in handmade items, including clothing and decorations, each of which exudes the distinctive charm of Chiang Mai. Moreover, there is a wide variety of food options available. The flea market is situated in One Nimman. 

 

Open time:  5:00 pm to 11:00 pm  Friday and Sunday

Warorot Market (Kad Luang)

 

Among the various walking markets in Chiang Mai, if you ask which market is the largest and oldest, the locals will undoubtedly point you toward “Warorot Market.” This market, with its long history, was originally known as “Kad Luang.” It is a vibrant and bustling marketplace that attracts visitors throughout the day and night. During the day, you can find a wide range of items such as fabrics, gold and jewelry shops, flower shops, wholesale goods, delectable local food, and remarkable souvenirs from Chiang Mai. As night falls, food stalls emerge, offering delicious fare at reasonable prices, and there’s even a nail salon shop with prices starting at 150 baht.

 

Recommended visiting hours:

Daytime: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Nighttime: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm