Hill-tribe crafts
Textiles and silver at calm prices.
yeowatzup — CC BY 2.0 · Stefan Fussan — CC BY-SA 3.0 · BrokenSphere — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jpatokal — CC BY-SA 4.0
The town's permanent night market, open every evening by the old bus station in the centre, with lanes of stalls selling hill-tribe handicrafts, textiles, clothes, bags, souvenirs and silver, at calmer prices than the markets of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. At its heart is a large food court with shared tables and a small stage where live music and traditional northern dances are performed, surrounded by food stalls and hot pots. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly most nights. The market opens daily from about six in the evening until eleven, and entry is free. Gentle bargaining is accepted at the goods stalls. On Saturday evenings a walking-street market runs on nearby Thanalai Road, and on Sunday evenings another near the old town. Check halal status at the food stalls, as most are not halal. For halal food, well-known Muslim restaurants sit in the old town near the mosque, minutes away. Start your night with the light show at the nearby clock tower.
Textiles and silver at calm prices.
Live music and northern dances.
A walking street on Thanalai Road.
Phahonyothin Road, by the old bus station, central Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Clock TowerThe symbol of central Chiang Rai: an ornate golden clock tower in the middle of 5 minutes walk
Wat Phra Kaew, Chiang RaiThe town's most historically important temple: it was here in 1434 that the Emer12 minutes walk
Wat Phra That Doi Chom ThongA temple on a small hill overlooking the Kok River at the north-west edge of the20 minutes walkWell-known Muslim restaurants sit in the old town near the mosque, minutes away by car or on foot. Most of the bazaar's stalls are not halal.