This is the second post from my recent trip to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Aside from its many temples, the city is also famous for its many street markets. They are scattered throughout the city, and I had the chance to check out three of the biggest during my visit there.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a big cluster of smaller markets as well as main and side streets, located south east of the walled city. The main markets are the Anusarn and Kalare markets where you can also find some food stalls – surprisingly, there aren’t that many food stands elsewhere in this large market.
Every night this place buzzes with activity, with locals and visitors alike hunting for a good bargain. Most vendors sell clothing or arts and crafts items, and it can get pretty crowded in the weekends. It’s also the place where you can get a quick foot massage, either the conventional type, or popular “fish spa” where little fish pick away at your legs and feet…

Worarot Market

Known locally as Kad Luang, this is the main local market, which is much less touristy than the bazaars. It is located next to the Ping river as a cluster of covered buildings and connected side streets. The old Chinatown is nearby, as is the flower market.
Besides the usual wet market and fresh produce stalls, Worarot has a huge selection of household items, clothing, and dry goods. It’s basically where most locals do their grocery shopping.

Wua Lai Road

This is also known as the Saturday Night Walking Street Market, as it is open every Saturday from dusk to midnight when Wua Lai Road is closed for traffic and transformed into a 1km pedestrian walkway south of the Chiang Mai city gate. All kinds of food, crafts, and clothing stalls are set up, and it’s a very festive atmosphere. There are also many street performers on hand. This area is also known for its many silverware shops.