• 3 GREAT LOCAL MARKETS AROUND CHIANG MAI

    San Kamphaeng Saturday Market, Chiang mai, Thailand
  • 3 GREAT LOCAL MARKETS AROUND CHIANG MAI

    San Kamphaeng Saturday Market, Chiang mai, Thailand

3 GREAT LOCAL MARKETS AROUND CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai has no shortage of markets, but for a truly local affair it pays to explore beyond the old city walls. With a perfect mix of authentic street food, handicrafts and traditional clothing, these are our three favourite local markets around Chiang Mai. They all take place at the weekend, so time your visit accordingly!

CHAMCHAA MARKET

Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

Hidden away in an idyllic little spot east of the old city, Chamchaa Weekend Market’s emphasis is on artisinal produce and traditional crafts. The area is home to an artists’ community and the beautiful wooden shops and quaint ambience are reason enough to visit. You’ll find plenty of northern style Lanna clothing, jewellery, handicrafts and sweet treats. There’s even a very photogenic pizza bus!


Handicrafts for sale at Meena Rice Based Cuisine next to the Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

A small traditional wooden house near Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

A dog rests in the shaded doorway garlanded by Songkran decorations at the Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

Handicrafts at Chamchaa market around Chiang Mai

After you’ve wandered the market, stroll up the track to the fabulous Meena Rice Based Cuisine for lunch. Sitting on a wooden deck, surrounded by water and greenery, it’s the perfect place to relax.

Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A smorgasboard filling the table at Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A smorgasboard filling the table at Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The focus is, naturally, on all things rice and the colourful presentation is exquisite. The taste lives up to the look, their dishes very much combining style and substance.

Saturday & Sunday 9am – 2pm

Meena Riced Based Cuisine open daily 10am – 5pm except Wednesdays

A jar of coconut nectar glistening in the afternoon sun on a dark wood table at Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Delicious rice based food plated up perfectly at Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A jar of coconut nectar glistening in the afternoon sun on a dark wood table at Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Delicious rice based food plated up perfectly at Meena Rice Based Cuisine in Chiang Mai, Thailand

SAN KAMPHAENG SATURDAY MARKET

If you’re looking for cheap eats and a genuine local vibe, the Saturday night market in San Kamphaeng is hard to beat. 

A lady prepares somtum (spicy papaya salad), choosing her fruit from a big bowl of green topped with red chillies at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Women peruse the traditional Lanna clothing on racks at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Known as ‘walking street’, the main drag comes alive with street food vendors and clothing stalls, aimed very much at a local crowd.

Pad Thai being served up at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Delicious oyster pancakes being served up at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pad Thai being served up at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Delicious oyster pancakes being served up at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Cruise the street, munching as you go on delicious oyster omelette, crispy pork, mango sticky rice or whatever takes your fancy! You can also pick up some traditional Lanna clothing to keep you cool in the Chiang Mai heat – there’s a good range of styles to be found.

Women peruse the traditional Lanna clothing on racks at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The crowd builds as dusk approaches at the San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Head here in the late afternoon for the best choice.

Saturday 3pm – 9pm

Why not make a day of it and combine your visit with a trip to Muang-on Cave and the incredible Huen Jai Yong Lanna food restaurant for lunch?

WANT SOME THAILAND TRAVEL INSPIRATION?

EXPLORE MORE ON OUR
THAILAND PAGE


JINGJAI RUSTIC MARKET

A little north of the old city you’ll find the charming JingJai Rustic Market. This is more of a farmers market, with organic fruit and veg, specialty produce, handmade goods and a laid back vibe.

The crowds browse the Sunday market stalls for clothes and handicrafts beneath sun dappled trees at the Jingjai Rustic Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Fresh fruit and vegetables ready to be juiced at the Jingjai Rustic Market around Chiang Mai

The crowds browse the Sunday market stalls for clothes and handicrafts beneath sun dappled trees at the Jingjai Rustic Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Fresh fruit and vegetables ready to be juiced at the Jingjai Rustic Market around Chiang Mai

Live musicians provide a great soundtrack as you munch away or peruse handicrafts, jewellery and clothing. There’s plenty of areas to grab a seat and chill out.

An area for prayer at the Jingjai Rustic market in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

People sit on low stools being served artisan coffee from a gentelman in traditional dress at the Jingjai Rustic Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

An area for prayer at the Jingjai Rustic market in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

People sit on low stools being served artisan coffee from a gentelman in traditional dress at the Jingjai Rustic Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand

This is also the only market we visited that proactively promotes sustainable packaging, with many vendors using banana leaf food trays and paper straws (although sadly not all). It’s best to get here early as many vendors start to pack up by noon.

Saturday & Sunday 7am-2pm

Delicious food being prepared at the Jingjai Rustic market in Chiang mai, Thailand

Baby squid topped with bonito flakes

Delicious food being prepared at the Jingjai Rustic market in Chiang mai, Thailand

Baby squid topped with bonito flakes

FIND THE MARKETS

Check out the map below for the locations of these three great local markets around Chiang Mai.


ORGANISE YOUR TRIP TO CHIANG MAI NOW

Booking.com

Still Not Sorted Your Travel Insurance?
It’s Not Too Late! Get A Quote Now

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links – if you purchase a product or service via these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps offset the cost of running this blog and keeps us travelling so that we can continue to produce great content for you. We greatly appreciate your support!*

Liked This Post?
Pin It For Later!

Share Logo

FOLLOW US

EXPLORE MORE OF ASIA

Trekkers enjoying mountain views and a well earned rest atop Kyanjin Ri (4586 m) in the Langtang Valley
Snowy mountain view with colourful prayer flags in the foreground, seen from the first Kyanjin Ri viewpoint (4300 m) on the Langtang Valley trek
A magenta tuk tuk carries passengers on the road past the ruined walls in front of Wat Mahatat in Ayutthaya, Thailand
A narrow trekking trail in Upper Mustang stretching off into the distance amidst some bizarre rock formations, with the snowy peak of Dhaulagiri in the background
Trekkers on a trail approaching a round orange rock formation with a plateau stretched out into the distance in Upper Mustang
Sunrise hitting the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal
Trekkers look out while descending from the Larke Pass on the Manaslu Circuit Trek
A house front in the village of Karakul in Tajikistan, shining in the early morning sun.
A Lada in front of Soviet bus stop with red stars and Marco Polo Sheep, on the Western Pamir Highway in Tajikistan
Plants and flowers line the back of the Tainan Confucius Temple complex wall
A catamaran sails on the calm water at sunset off the south coast of Jeju Island
A barman makes a cocktail in TCRC , one of the best places to eat and drink in Tainan.
A female Olle Trail hiker standing by a Hallabong mosaic mural, looking out to sea on Jeju Island
Yurts lined up at Tulparkul, in the shadow of Peak Lenin
Two small kids wandering the wide dusty streets of Karakul in northern Tajikistan
The Best Beaches On Jeju Island
An intricately arranged motorbike repair shop in Dadaocheng, Taipei, Taiwan
A bowl of delicious Khao Soi, one of the most famous Lanna Cuisine dishes
Looking out from wat Pha Lat over Chiang Mai, reflected in the still water and surrounded by lush green vegetation
San Kamphaeng Saturday Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Songkran in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Veniks & Hot Pots: A Morning at Almaty's Arasan Baths
Soviet-era art and architecture in Almaty

Ask away if you have any questions about these markets, or if you know of other great markets around Chiang Mai, share with us in the comments below!

2
Leave a Reply

avatar
1 Comment threads
1 Thread replies
2 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
2 Comment authors
Going the Whole HoggShuvo Recent comment authors
  Subscribe  
newest oldest most voted
Notify of
Shuvo
Guest

Amazing article, your blog looks awesome. Thank you for sharing the best information about this market with us and other travelers. By the way your pictures are very nice

3 Great Local Markets Around Chiang Mai
814 Shares
Pin814
Tweet
Share
WhatsApp