A Guide to Chiang Mai's Weekend Walking Streets
Chiang Mai’s Saturday and Sunday walking streets are pretty iconic. Hosted every weekend, these two open-air markets set up an array of stalls near and within the old city, and include vendors who sell everything from clothes to artwork to handcrafted wooden ornaments to jewellery.
Even post-pandemic, which has affected the size and nature of other markets around the country, these two walking streets are still lively and very popular, with locals and tourists alike strolling along the open markets shopping, eating, getting shoulder massages, and listening to the live music, which usually comes in the form of blind musician buskers and singing school children.
This food centre, one of two within the Sunday Walking Street, is near Wat Phra Singh Temple on the western side, and boasts an incredible range of the very best street food.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a market without street food, and each market hosts a couple of fantastic food centres, which have stalls offering all the Thai market classics; grilled skewers, noodles, curries, soups, Chinese and Japanese influenced street dishes, fresh fruit smoothies and desserts such as banana roti and mango sticky rice.
From living in Chiang Mai, and heading out to the walking streets every weekend, we’ve put together a quick practical guide on where to find them, when they start, and what to expect in general.
Is it okay to haggle for goods?
In short, yes. Feel free to negotiate the prices of goods such as clothing or homeware, where they’ll usually give you the highest price first. If you have the time, try to get a good idea of the average price of what you are wanting to purchase - more often than not there are a few vendors selling similar products along the streets. With food, which usually has the prices listed on the menus, don’t bother haggling. These prices are incredibly reasonable as it is, and if you’re not willing to pay what’s on the signage, choose another stall.
This being said, as we mention in our guide to getting around Phuket, learn how to haggle in a respectful way. It’s important to keep in mind that the service is a livelihood for your vendor, so although you don’t want to get overcharged, don’t be cheap about it.
A quick note on Covid
Know that if you’re visiting in 2022, each market currently has a covid marker at each main entryway, and will ask for your vaccination certificate to be allowed entry. They will also ask for a phone number (presumably for track and trace), they take your temperature, and will require a face mask to be worn at all times. Nothing we haven’t heard before!
Where are the walking streets?
The Saturday Walking Street, or Wua Lai, can be found on Wua Lai Road, which can be accessed from the Southernmost side of the Old City, running perpendicular to the famous Pratu Chiang Mai Night Food Stalls. The smaller of the two markets, the stalls usually start setting up around 4pm, with most people arriving after 6pm.
Both markets start getting busy around dusk, and offer spectacular views of the sunsets. Pictured above is the Sunday Walking Street on Rachadamnoen.
The Tha Pae Sunday Walking Street runs along Rachadamnoen road, stretching between two iconic places in Chiang Mai in the middle of the Old City, to the east, Tha Pra Gate, and to the west, Wat Phra Singh Temple. The larger of the two markets, the walking street also runs North and South on Prapokkloa Road, offering even more food stalls, products and buskers to enjoy.
In the middle of this cross there is an information desk, which also features a map on it’s side that helps you locate the nearest loos, food centres and other facilities. Like Wua Lai, stalls will begin setting up from 4pm, but the market won’t be in full swing until dusk.
Staying outside of the Old City? Familiarise yourself with the Rod-Daeng (also known as Songthaews, Shared Taxis, Red Cars, or Tuk Tuks) that can be seen driving throughout the city. Although many drivers don’t speak English, they will all understand “walking street”. Remember when booking taxis like this to agree on a price beforehand, and don’t be surprised in Chiang Mai if the taxi stops by and picks up other patrons, this is very typical.
What should I bring?
As with most places within Thailand, cash is the only accepted form of payment, so bring along some baht to spend, the amount depending greatly on what you’re hoping to buy.
Chiang Mai street food is notoriously inexpensive, with most main meals coming in around 40-60 thb (around £1-3), so if you’re headed out for a meal, you won’t need more than a couple hundred baht. However, if you’re headed out to shop, there are so many goods and products for sale with a very wide price range. For example, clothing can range from secondhand for 50 thb a piece to high end designer wears that start at 500 thb.
My favourite vendor at the Weekend Walking Streets was a couple who made local Khao Soi, and they came to know us well as we went to them every weekend! This veggie Khao Soi only cost an incredible 35 thb, which converted to 80p for us.
Know that if you do need a bit more than you thought, there are multiple ATMs within the old city, the fees are typically around 220 thb for withdrawals. This being said, understand that most vendors will not accept notes this high (unless you’re buying something over a couple hundred baht) so head into a chain vendor like 7 Eleven and purchase a snack or water bottle to break it up first.
Other than cash, bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and if you are heading to the markets amidst the covid regulations, bring a copy of your vaccination papers (a screenshot is fine), and a mask - this was required for all of our visits to the markets in early 2022.
If you know Chiang Mai, you’ll know that there are temples that adorn every single street. It makes the markets even more unique that many stalls are set within temple grounds.
If you find yourself in Chiang Mai over a weekend, definitely head over to explore these markets. They were one of the highlights of our time in Chiang Mai, feeling like they perfectly captured a mix of culture, incredible eats, and local goods and produce.
Happy Travels,
Sam + Steve
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