Local experiences
Night Markets in Chiang Mai
A practical guide to Chiang Mai night markets, from the famous walking streets to smaller local food markets around the city.
Updated 7 September 2026
Chiang Mai has more than one night market, each with its own mix of clothes, crafts, food, music, and local atmosphere. Some are made for a slow evening of browsing, while others are everyday food markets where people stop for dinner after work.
The Old City and Night Bazaar are easy starting points for first-time visitors, while the university and neighbourhood markets show a more local side of Chiang Mai. One evening can include one market or several, with dinner in one place and snacks or shopping in another.
The big walking streets
Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road
Sunday Walking Street is the biggest weekly market and runs through the Old City from Tha Phae Gate along Ratchadamnoen Road. It is busy, colourful, and easy to combine with temples, the Three Kings Monument, and dinner. Temple grounds often hold food stalls, and the side lanes are worth a short look when the main street feels crowded.
Go early if you want space to browse, or later if you prefer the full crowd and street atmosphere. This is the market for gifts, crafts, snacks, live music, and one long wander through the centre of town.
Show Sunday Walking Street on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗
Saturday Walking Street on Wua Lai Road
Saturday Walking Street is south of the Old City at Wua Lai Road. It is every bit as lively as Sunday Walking Street, with silverwork, clothing, handmade goods, street food, and temple stops along the way. It works well if you are staying near the South Gate or want a market evening away from the Old City centre.
Show Saturday Walking Street on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗Night Bazaar, Kalare, Ploen Ruedee, and Anusarn
The Chang Khlan area is a cluster rather than one market. The Night Bazaar, Kalare Night Bazaar, Ploen Ruedee, and Anusarn Market sit close together, so you can stroll between shops, food courts, live music, bars, and nearby shows. It is one of the more tourist-focused areas and prices can be higher, but it is convenient and easy for an evening out.
Show the Night Bazaar area on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗
Food-first markets near the Old City
Chang Phueak Gate, or North Gate Market
North Gate is a daily evening food stop just outside the Old City. It is close enough to walk from many hotels and has plenty of stalls, tables, and quick local dishes. It attracts both visitors and locals, so it is a useful first market when you want food without committing to a huge walking street.
Show North Gate Market on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗Chiang Mai Gate, or South Gate Market
South Gate has a smaller, relaxed food market beside the daily fresh market. It is another easy Old City option, especially if you are staying on the south side or walking down Wua Lai Road. Go for a casual dinner rather than a big shopping night.
Show South Gate Market on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗
Warorot Market, Kad Luang, and the Chinese Market
Warorot, Kad Luang, and the Chinese Market are names used for the same broad market area near the Ping River. It is busiest during the day, with food, household goods, fabric, flowers, and small shops. In the evening it becomes quieter, with snacks, food stalls, and small street vendors. It is a good place to see a market that serves local shopping needs as much as visitors.
Show Warorot Market on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗Markets around the university and neighbourhoods
Malin Plaza and Kad Na Mor
In front of Chiang Mai University, Malin Plaza and Kad Na Mor offer food, clothes, jewellery, accessories, and plenty of people-watching. Kad Na Mor means market in front of the university. Both work well for an inexpensive, busy evening around Nimman and the university area.
Show Malin Plaza and Kad Na Mor on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗Kad Lang Mor
Kad Lang Mor, or the market behind the university, is more local and student-focused. You will find street food, simple restaurants, takeaway stalls, and cheap drinks. Walk a little further west of the main map pin for more vendors with tables and chairs.
Show Kad Lang Mor on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗Kadmanee Market
Kadmanee is a relaxed local market south-west of the Old City with food, drinks, bars, a pond, and plenty of seating. It is a good choice when you want to eat slowly and stay in one place for the evening instead of walking through a crowded market.
Show Kadmanee Market on a map
Open in Google Maps ↗Santitam Street Market and Sanpakhoi Market
Santitam is a smaller local street-food area between the Old City and Nimman. Sanpakhoi, east of the river, is another quieter local option. Neither is a major attraction, but both are useful when you want a less touristy meal and a look at an everyday neighbourhood.
Show Santitam and Sanpakhoi on a map
Food, payment, and getting around
- Food: Thai market food is the reason to go. Try what looks good, order small dishes to share, and return for a second round when something catches your eye. Busy stalls with food cooked in front of you are usually a good place to start.
- Cash and QR payment: Cash is still the simplest choice for visitors, especially at small stalls. Thai customers often pay with local bank-app QR codes, but international visitors usually cannot use those systems. A few sellers may only use QR payment, though that is less common at markets.
- Transport: Songthaews, the red shared pickup trucks, run on main roads. Agree on a price before boarding. Ride-hailing apps are useful, but pickups can be slow when a walking street closes the road.
- Timing: Most markets begin around 5pm. Weekend walking streets are busiest after dinner and can continue until 10pm or later, while some food markets run closer to midnight.
- Bargaining: It can be normal for clothes, handicrafts, and souvenirs, but not every seller expects it. Avoid pushing hard over a small fixed price: a few baht can be most of a stallholder’s profit. Do not bargain over food.
Quick comparison
| Market or area | Best for | When | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Walking Street | Old City browsing, crafts, food | Sunday | Big, busy, festive |
| Saturday Walking Street | Silver, crafts, food | Saturday | Big, busy, festive |
| Night Bazaar cluster | Food courts, shopping, music | Daily | Convenient, tourist-focused |
| North or South Gate | Easy local dinner | Daily | Food-first, close to the Old City |
| Malin, Kad Na Mor, and Kad Lang Mor | Student food and shopping | Daily | Local, good value |
| Kadmanee | A relaxed dinner and drinks | Daily | Local, sit-down friendly |
| Warorot | Local shopping and snacks | Daytime into evening | Traditional, practical |
Map overview
Use this map as a starting point for seeing how the markets sit around the city. Pick one close to where you are staying, then save the next area for another evening.
You can pick one market for a slow evening or move between a few when time is short. Have dinner in one area, try a snack somewhere else, and use the journey through the city as part of the plan. A small local food market can be just as good as the biggest walking street when it is close to where you are staying.
