City Nights: Discover Chiang Mai’s Best Night Markets
Helping you decide which night markets to visit in Chiang Mai
· 33 min read
summary
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city in northern Thailand that is known for its rich culture, stunning temples, and delicious cuisine. However, one of the most exciting things to do in Chiang Mai is exploring its night markets. From bustling bazaars to trendy street markets, Chiang Mai's night markets offer an endless array of food, shopping, and entertainment options. In this guide, we'll introduce you to some of the city's favorite night markets.
- Best for young people: Malin Plaza (Kad Na Mor Market)
- Best for tourists: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
- Best for shopping: Anusarn Market
- Best for a chill night: Ploen Ruedee Night Market
- Best for unique handicraft: Sunday Walking Street (Tha Phae Walking Street)
Malin Plaza (Kad Na Mor Market)
Malin Plaza is a popular night market located just across Chiang Mai University. Given its close proximity to the university, it is sometimes also known as Chiang Mai University Night Market. Since Malin Plaza is a distance away from the Old Chiang Mai city, there are usually less tourists and much less crowded. Instead, you can expect most of the visitors to the night market to be students. You can expect the items sold at Malin Plaza to be more trendy and closer to the fashion trends of the teens in Chiang Mai, rather than souvenirs and tourist goods. Malin Plaza has a huge selection of delicious street food to choose from, and at very affordable student-friendly price points. You can also expect to see some innovative food items to appeal to the young crowds.
🕤 Opening Hours: 6pm - 11pm everyday
🗺️ Address: 99 58 Huay Kaew Rd, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the largest night market in Chiang Mai that is catered towards tourists. There are a couple of smaller night markets surrounding the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, so it is a great area to be at if you want to experience the most of Chiang Mai’s night market scene. The market spans over 2km of road and is lined with hundreds of vendors selling everything from traditional handicrafts to clothing, electronics, and souvenirs. As the stores sell similar items, you might have to spend some time bargaining and hunting for the best deal.
🕤 Opening Hours: 5pm - 12mn everyday
🗺️ Address: Changklan Rd, Chang Moi Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Anusarn Night Market
Located just round the corner of Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, this market has a similar lively atmosphere, but is less intense than the main Night Bazaar. It also has a lot of stalls selling crafts, souvenirs and clothing. The stalls are spread out nicely, giving you room to explore and shop. For food, you can visit Chill Square at the Anusarn Night Market for a variety of street food and snacks. The Ladyboy Cabaret Show — said to be the best in Thailand — is also located at the Anusarn Night Market.
🕤 Opening Hours: 5pm - 11pm everyday
Ploen Ruedee Night Market
Ploen Ruedee Night Market is located at the other end of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Ploen Ruedee has a much more laid-back vibe, with a slightly more mature crowd. There is not much shopping here, but rather, it is more like a food market with many international options. Ploen Ruedee is a great option if you are looking for a place to have a drink or two with a group of friends, while enjoying some live music performances.
🕤 Opening Hours: 5pm - 12mn, Monday to Saturday; closed on Sunday
🗺️ Address: 28/3-4 Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, เมือง Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Sunday Walking Street Market
The Sunday Walking Street Market is a highly popular night market in Chiang Mai that attracts both tourists and locals alike, making it one of the most crowded markets in Chiang Mai. Despite the crowd, the market has a unique charm and appeals to those who are looking for a vibrant atmosphere. One of the main draws of the Sunday Walking Street Market is the opportunity to find unique and customized handicrafts and artworks made by local artisans. From handmade jewelry to traditional paintings, there is something for everyone to appreciate. For foodies, the Sunday Walking Street Market is a haven for local street food. You can find a wide variety of dishes, ranging from classic Thai dishes to international cuisine options like pizza and sushi.
🕤 Opening Hours: 5pm - 10.30pm on Sundays
🗺️ Address: Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Other Notable Night Markets
There are many other night markets in Chiang Mai that you could consider visiting if you have time: