Short answer
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a night market of about 1 km along Chang Khlan Road, just east of the old city moat. Wikivoyage lists 18:00 to 24:00, while the Nation reported in 2022 that some stalls open at 6 pm, the market is fully alive from 7 pm and stalls pack up from about 10:30 pm, so plan on 19:00 to 22:30. Expect near-identical tourist stalls selling T-shirts, textiles, sunglasses and handicrafts, ask the price first and treat brand-name goods with caution. Food courts sit across the road.
Where the Night Bazaar is and what it covers
Wikipedia says the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is directly east of the city moat, between the moat and the Ping River, on Chang Khlan Road between Tha Phae Road and Sridonchai Road. The Nation described it in 2022 as stretching approximately one kilometre along that road, on the east side of the old walled city.
Wikivoyage's Chiang Mai guide describes a huge indoor and outdoor market centred on the Night Bazaar Building on the west side of the road, and says the area also takes in the Anusarn and Kalare markets, with borders that are ambiguous and unimportant. It is a district, not a single building, so allow time to wander and decide which side of the road you want to spend your evening on.
Wikivoyage adds that modern Chiang Mai has grown east to the banks of the Ping River, where Chang Khlan Road, the famous Night Bazaar and the bulk of the city's hotels and guest houses are located, and that nearby Loi Kroh Road is the centre of the city's tourist night life. If your hotel is in that area, the bazaar is a short stroll; if you stay inside the old city, it is a walk of about three-quarters of a kilometre from the east gate.
Hours: when to arrive
Wikivoyage lists the Night Bazaar as open from 18:00 to 24:00, and the same hours for the Anusarn and Kalare markets across the road. The Nation reported in November 2022 that some stalls open from 6 pm, that the market comes fully alive from 7 pm and that stalls start packing up at about 10:30 pm. The two sources differ on the closing time.
Plan on 19:00 to 22:30 for the full market. Wikivoyage says the Anusarn Market area has no vendor stalls in the day: the vendors move in and put up their large tent-type stalls every afternoon, though the permanent shops and eateries stay open. We could not confirm whether any day of the week is closed, and the sources list none.
What the stalls sell, and what to be careful about
Wikipedia lists handicrafts and portrait paintings, jewellery, toys, clothing and technology. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's October 2025 feature says the Night Bazaar offers northern handicrafts, lanterns and textiles. Wikivoyage is blunter: it can take a concerted effort to find something different among near-identical stalls selling sunglasses, T-shirts, textiles, watches, luggage and caps, and you rarely see Thai people shopping there.
The Nation's advice is to beware of fakes: some brand-name designer goods might not be genuine, so keep that in mind. Wikivoyage notes that haggling is expected at market stalls and suggests starting by offering a price lower than the one asked. We could not confirm typical prices from a source, so ask at two or three stalls before you buy anything bigger than a T-shirt.
The Nation's list for the Night Bazaar runs from designer goods, clothing and shoes to gadgets, jewellery and local products, many at very low prices, according to its 2022 report. Prices have probably moved since then, so use that only as a sign of the range of goods, not as a price guide, and compare a few stalls before you pay.
Where to eat: Anusarn, Kalare and the street stalls
The Nation says there is a large selection of street food and drinks at the Night Bazaar. Wikivoyage describes the Anusarn Market, across Chang Khlan Road, as a busy outdoor night market with many little Thai, Indian and Western restaurants and food vendors. It also lists the Kalare Food Centre, a large open-air food court that runs on a coupon system.
At the Kalare food court, Wikivoyage says, you buy coupons from the cashiers and redeem them at the small stalls, and the centre features free Thai classical dance performances nightly. The listed hours are 17:00 to 22:00, in an entry updated in February 2023. Because the coupon system and the hours can change, check the board at the cashier's desk when you arrive.
Night Bazaar or Sunday walking street?
The two markets suit different evenings. The Night Bazaar is a standing market on Chang Khlan Road, with listed hours but no closed day in the sources we read. The Sunday walking street runs only on Sundays along Ratchadamnoen Road, inside the old city, with local craft vendors selling handmade wares. Our Sunday market guide has the hours and the rules.
Wikivoyage says the Night Bazaar lies due east of Tha Phae Gate, about a 15-minute walk, so you can combine them on a Sunday. Choose the walking street first if you want handmade crafts, and the bazaar if you want cheap T-shirts and souvenirs or a food court. If you are only in town on a weeknight, the Night Bazaar is the one to head for.
Getting there: walk, bus or songthaew
Wikivoyage says to walk from Tha Phae Gate down Tha Phae Road for three-quarters of a kilometre to Chang Khlan Road, then turn right. Airports of Thailand lists an airport shuttle bus, route A2, for 40 baht, that runs from Chiang Mai airport via Mahidol Road to the Night Bazaar and hotels around Chang Khlan Road, and says to check fares and routes before you travel.
AOT also lists the RTC Chiang Mai city bus, 30 baht per trip, with the red line stopping at Pantip Plaza by the Night Bazaar and at Anusarn Market. A red songthaew is the other option, and our red truck guide explains how its fares work.
Fitting the bazaar around our cooking class
Our Thai cooking class at an organic farm is from $30 per person. The morning class picks you up at about 8:00 to 8:30 am and returns you to your hotel at about 2:30 pm, which leaves the evening free for the Night Bazaar. The evening class picks you up at about 3:00 to 3:30 pm and returns at about 9:30 pm.
After the evening class you would reach the bazaar when stalls begin to pack up, so for a proper evening at the market choose the morning class. You cook five dishes and eat what you cooked, or take it away. Tell us your hotel and the session you prefer when you book.
Practical checklist
- Arrive at about 19:00 and plan to leave by 22:30, when stalls start packing up.
- Ask the price at two or three stalls before buying, and offer a lower price than asked.
- Treat brand-name goods with caution, as the Nation warns some may be fake.
- Check the fare of any bus or songthaew before you board, and plan your ride back.
- On a Sunday, do the walking street first and the bazaar second.
Questions and answers
What time does the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar open?
Wikivoyage lists 18:00 to 24:00. The Nation reported that some stalls open from 6 pm, the market is fully alive from 7 pm and stalls start packing up at about 10:30 pm.
Where is the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar?
On Chang Khlan Road, directly east of the old city moat, between Tha Phae Road and Sridonchai Road. Wikivoyage says it is about a 15-minute walk from Tha Phae Gate.
Are there fake goods at the Night Bazaar?
The Nation warned in 2022 that some brand-name designer goods might be fake. Wikivoyage also says many stalls sell near-identical tourist items, so compare prices and quality before you buy.
Is the Night Bazaar better than the Sunday walking street?
They differ. Wikivoyage says the bazaar has many near-identical tourist stalls, while the Sunday walking street has local craft vendors selling handmade wares. The bazaar is listed without a closed day; the walking street runs only on Sundays.
How do you get to the Night Bazaar from the airport?
Airports of Thailand lists an airport shuttle bus, route A2, for 40 baht, via Mahidol Road to the Night Bazaar and Chang Khlan Road hotels, and the city bus for 30 baht. Check fares and routes before you travel.