Nine malls, led by the four the Chiang Mai shopping guides on Google agree on, Central Chiangmai, Maya, Central Chiangmai Airport and One Nimman, then the outlet and the community malls by Google reviews.
Chiang Mai has four malls worth the trip. Central Chiangmai, the old Central Festival, is the biggest, out on the Superhighway east of the Old City. Maya sits at the top of Nimman, a short walk from One Nimman's open-air courtyard, and Central Chiangmai Airport is the one by the airport. The Premium Outlet in Hang Dong and the neighborhood malls follow them.
Older guides still list Kad Suan Kaew and Promenada. Both are closed, Kad Suan Kaew since July 2022 and Promenada since May 2022, so they aren't here.
Chiang Mai's biggest mall, formerly Central Festival, on the Superhighway east of the Old City, with a department store, cinema and a large food hall. It runs free shuttle buses to Nimman, the Old City and the Night Bazaar a few times a day.
The mall at the top of Nimman, with fashion, a cinema, cheap food courts and a rooftop with views of Doi Suthep. The easiest big mall to reach from the Old City or Nimman.
The mall by the airport, once Airport Plaza, with a department store, supermarket, cinema and a souvenir section of packaged northern Thai food gifts. Handy for a last afternoon before a flight.
Where to stay
My pick at each price level in Chiang Mai, going by Google's hotel class. Hotels from my ranked list of the 10 best come first, then the best-reviewed. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com with your dates filled in.
#1Luxury · 5-star
Shangri-La Chiang Mai4.6 (4,289 reviews)
Upscale hotel near Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar, offering spacious rooms, a pool, spa, and Szechuan dining.
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#3Mid-range · 4-star
U Chiang Mai Hotel4.8 (2,000 reviews)
Chic boutique hotel on Rachadamnoen Rd offering a fitness center, European bistro, and open-air bar.
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#9Budget · 3-star
Cross Chiang Mai Riverside4.8 (994 reviews)
A boutique riverside resort in Chiang Mai offering stylish rooms, a spa, pool, and upscale dining.
Check ratesAn open-air brick courtyard on Nimman with boutiques, cafes, a bell tower and a craft market most evenings, more for wandering than serious shopping.
An open-air outlet mall in Hang Dong, about 11 km south, with factory stores for Nike, Adidas, Levi's, Lacoste and Samsonite. Open 10:00 to 19:00.
A local mall with a big supermarket and everyday shops, where residents rather than tourists do their shopping. Open from 07:00.
An open-air lifestyle village in Hang Dong next to the Premium Outlet, with a Rimping supermarket, restaurants and an evening food market.
A neighborhood community mall with a Rimping supermarket, restaurants and easy parking.
A community mall in Fa Ham with restaurants, food kiosks, a rooftop bar and everyday services.
Central Chiangmai, formerly Central Festival Chiang Mai, on the Superhighway. It has a department store, a cinema and a large food hall, and with more than 20,000 Google reviews it's the most visited mall in the city.
No. Kad Suan Kaew closed in July 2022 and the site has since been put up for sale. Promenada closed in May 2022. Many older shopping guides still list both.
Yes. Chiang Mai Premium Outlet in Hang Dong, about 11 km south of the city, has factory stores for Nike, Adidas, Levi's, Lacoste and Samsonite and is open from 10:00 to 19:00. Kad Farang Village, with a supermarket and restaurants, is next door.
Yes. Central Chiangmai runs free shuttle buses a few times a day between the mall and Nimman, the Old City, the airport and the Night Bazaar. Check the times at the information desk, since the schedule changes.
Maya, at the top of Nimmanhaemin Road, about 10 minutes from the Old City by songthaew or Grab. Central Chiangmai is about 15 minutes away by car in the other direction.
