Chiang Mai is famous for its handmade furniture and handicrafts. The villages of Borsang and Baan Tawai are shopping magnets for handicraft production, but those who don’t make it that far have the option of the downtown Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Products crafted by the men and women of the North use natural goods such as wood and clay. Thai handicrafts are appreciated the world over and are known for their delicate detailing and finishing. Whether shopping wholesale or retail, great deals are plentiful, making it hard to leave Chiang Mai empty handed.
Traditional handicrafts of the North include products such as wood carvings, silk weaving, celadon, silverware detailing and lacquerware. Hilltribes have their own range of tribal crafts and unlike the wholesale goods of local craftsmen, can be purchased easily in town. Many of these can be found at the famous Night Bazaar on Chan Klan road which is the most convenient place to shop.
Wood carvings can be found in the Hang Dong district, as well as the Banyen Woodcarving Museum on Wua Lai road. Wua Lai road is also the centre of Chiang Mai’s silverware industry, where ornaments such as neck chains, bowls, bracelets and food trays can be bought. Lacquerware is one of Chiang Mai’s most distinct handicrafts, with a unique process of preparation. Many tours take visitors to lacquerware factories, where they can see first hand how it’s done. Chiang Mai’s umbrella village is in Borsang, a short drive from Chiang Mai’s centre, where umbrellas are made of Sa paper and are beautifully decorated. Dragons, butterflies and floral designs are popular, and visitors can even get them painted onto personal items. Below are some recommended suppliers and retailers.
More on Handicrafts in Chiang Mai
More on Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Wholesale handicrafts shopping agent