Shopping in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai might not be a world famous shopping mecca like Bangkok or Singapore, but it does have a unique charm and there are plenty of bargains available for those willing to look for them.
Locals flock to the department stores at weekends to take advantage of the air conditioning and to visit one of the cinemas with Airport Central being probably the most popular - it has a wide variety of shops as well as movie theatre and a wide selection of food outlets on the top floor.
Kad Suan Kaew is a little older department store, but located more conveniently closer to the city centre - a short walk from the moat. It includes a bowling alley as well as a diverse selection of smaller shops - many operated by individuals.
As well as the department stores there are several supermarkets - worth a visit as they also host smaller markets and shops as well as the standards supermarket shops. The Rimping stores are the higher quality stores catering to the foreign population - simply the only place to get some of your delicacies from back home!
Check out the following links to find out where the best malls and department stores in Chiang Mai are.
Malls
- Airport Central
- Kad Suan Kaew
- Big C
- Carrefour
- Tesco Lotus
- Tesco Lotus Airport
- Rimping - River
- Rimping - Meechok
- Rimping - Nim City
Apart from the department stores, Chiang Mai is arguably more famous for its markets - most notably the nightly 'Night Bazaar'. Tourists flock daily to haggle and barter for bargains with a wide variety of locally produced products - most notably great artworks.
On Sundays the market extends with a large area inside the moat near Thapae gate becoming a throng of little stalls and excited tourists.
Waroros Market is more for the locals, but the right place to go for real bargains - a huge market on the bank of the river that sells virtually everything you could possibly want - so long as you can find the right shop!
Check out the following guides to find out where Chiang Mai's markets are.