Sunday Walking Street

Overview

The Sunday Walking Street is Chiang Mai's largest weekly market, transforming Ratchadamnoen Road and surrounding lanes into a kilometre-long corridor of art, handicrafts, street food, and live performances every Sunday from late afternoon until about 22:00.

Highlights

• Local Artisans: Handmade ceramics, paintings, jewellery, and textiles sold directly by their creators.
• Temple Courtyards: Side-street temples open their grounds with food stalls and small stages for traditional dance.
• Street Performers: Musicians, caricature artists, and traditional Lanna dancers line the route.

History

Launched in 2002 as part of the One Tambon One Product initiative, the market quickly grew from a modest handicraft fair to one of Southeast Asia's most celebrated night markets, drawing tens of thousands of visitors weekly.

Visitor Tips

• Arrive early: Gates close to traffic at 16:00; the best handmade items sell out by 19:00.
• Eat in temples: Food sold in temple courtyards is cheaper and less crowded than the main road stalls.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.