Chiang Mai University Night Market
This is the night market students actually use, which is the whole point of it. Prices are low, nobody's working hard to sell you elephant trousers, and the crowd is mostly young people from the university eating dinner. If you've done the Sunday Walking Street and the Night Bazaar and found them exhausting, this is the antidote.
The stalls sell casual clothes, accessories, handmade bits and souvenirs, and honestly I'd treat that side of it as browsing rather than shopping. The food is where it earns its keep. Thai street food at local prices, plenty of choice, and you can eat well for very little. Go hungry and skip dinner beforehand.
Timing matters more than the day. It opens at 5pm every evening and runs to 11pm, and the first hour is calmer, with room to walk and look properly. After that the post-dinner crowd arrives and it tightens up fast.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Chiang Mai University Night Market, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
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Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
Tha Phae Gate
Free, open all hours, and best after dark when the brick gate is lit and the square fills up.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Free hilltop temple where the crowd is mostly Thai worshippers, and the giant white-and-gold Buddha is visible for miles.
Chiang Mai University Night Market: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai University Night Market worth visiting?
Chiang Mai University Night Market holds a 4.3★ rating from 1,968 Google reviews — a strong rating for markets & shopping in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Chiang Mai University Night Market?
Chiang Mai University Night Market is typically open 17:00-23:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai University Night Market?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Chiang Mai University Night Market located?
Chiang Mai University Night Market is at ซอย สุเทพ Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
ซอย สุเทพ Tambon Chang Phueak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, ThailandVisitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Chiang Mai University Night Market
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Tips for Visiting Markets & Shopping
Haggle at Markets, Not Malls
Prices at market stalls are negotiable — start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price shops and malls don't haggle. Smile and keep it friendly; aggressive bargaining is considered rude.
Arrive Early or Late
Vendors believe the first sale of the day is lucky — you'll often get a better deal if you arrive right when the market opens. Late in the evening, sellers may also discount to avoid packing unsold goods.
Be Cautious with Tailors
Bangkok has excellent tailors, but also many tourist traps. Avoid anyone offering suspiciously cheap suits or who approaches you on the street. Ask your hotel for recommendations, read reviews, and always get two fittings.
Nearby Places
THE WALL
A multi-purpose complex on Huay Kaew Road offering a gym, food, coffee, and more in Chiang Mai.
Nimmanhaemin Road
Chiang Mai's modern side: coffee, galleries and boutiques on a street best walked slowly.
PAÑPURI
Luxury Thai wellness and organic beauty brand with a boutique inside Chiang Mai's popular Maya Shopping Center.
Daiso Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center
A budget-friendly variety store on the 3rd floor of Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center, stocking everyday essentials at 60 baht.
Similar Markets & Shopping Across Thailand
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Go at six in the morning, before the heat turns 15,000 stalls into an endurance test.
centralwOrld
Vast, air-conditioned and genuinely easy to navigate, with a top-floor food scene worth the trip alone.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Go at dusk, arrive by the free shuttle boat, and treat it as an evening out rather than a shopping trip.
MBK CENTER
Eight floors of small stalls and haggling, closer to an indoor market than a mall, and all the better for it.
Where to stay near Chiang Mai University Night Market
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)