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Review of the
Chiang Mai Shopping

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"Chiang Mai shopping" was last updated on April 09, 2012
Prices listed below are subject to change

So, where is the good shopping in Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai doesn't exactly lack shopping opportunities. As Thailand's handicraft center, the city offers markets, mall, boutique shops and handicraft villages!

My favorite shopping place was probably the local Thai shops at Kad Suan shopping mall because of the variety.

Here are the shopping places I visited in Chiang Mai.

Kad Suan Kaew
Shopping Mall

Outside Kad Suan Kaew Mall. In the evening, local seller sell handicrafts on the streets.

Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Mall is a huge complex comprised of shops selling the regular stuff as clothing, accessories, handcrafts, souvenirs and food. The variety of items was alright, and I actually got lost once. It's that huge!

They also have beauty parlors and a food court on the ground floor.

I bought several tops for 50-200 B depending on the quality and design. I also found some cool skater t-shirts for my boyfriend (100-180 B). Ah, he loved them!

On the top floor they have a cinema where they play Western (not dubbed) and Thai movies. We saw "Stardust" at the cinema here - the ticket cost
80 B.

I was there on a Thursday and a Friday, and ran into food vendors outside the main entrance. So here you can buy cheap and delicious warm Thai food. They start selling food around sunset.

If you're interested in buying new eyeglasses at a reasonable price, you can get it here (I think the shop was on 3rd floor).

I bought two Chanel eyeglasses (2 for 1) for around $280, included an eye test and two sets of extra lenses!

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Night Bazaar

If you've never been to an open-air marketplace before, you'll likely find the Night Bazaar as huge and interesting.

But I honestly wouldn't classify this as a must-do in Chiang Mai. Before I went to Chiang Mai, I had been to large markets (like the shopping in Bangkok) so I didn't find the Bazaar as particularly special or outstanding compared to what I previously had seen.

But it's a good place to eat cheap local food. And if you're interested in finding stuff like crafts, paintings, clothing, shoes, bags etc, you'll find it here. Remember to bargain!

I bought a couple of fisherman pants for 150 B, which is reasonable.

Opening hours: from 7 pm

Where: Night Bazaar is located on Chang Khlan Road.

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Sunday Evening Market
in Chiang Mai

I heard from other backpackers that the Sunday Evening Market was a better version of Night Bazaar because it's a calmer place to do your shopping. Less pressure from the sellers than at the Night Bazaar. And a great place to grab some cheap mango and sticky rice.

What makes the Sunday Evening Market so special is the handmade items sold at the stalls and the cultural atmosphere. Combine this with the delicious food, and you have yourself a must-see market! ;-)

If you're interested in taking a look, the market is located on Th Ratchdamnoen.

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Book shops
in Chiang Mai

Gecko Books have a wide collection and variety of second-hand books. You can get everything from travel guide books to sci-fi. If you have forgotten to send postcards to your family - now's your chance! They have a large variety of postcards.

If you can't find the book you're looking for - don't worry. The staff speaks English and they will be glad to help you out.

My bargain here was a nice cookbook in Thai cooking for around 80 B. I personally find it hard to buy gifts to men, but I knew that my boyfriend loves Thai food, so he was just happy about this gift.

Another popular book shop is Backstreet Books where you can get choose from a nice selection of crime novels (used books), and also Book Zone.

You might also try secondhand book shops like On the Road Books and Lost Book Shop.

Where: Gecko Books is located on 2/6 Th Chang Moi Kao.

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Further reading: Where to get cheap food in Chiang Mai? Read my reviews of the accommodation in Chiang Mai Next stop: Pai

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