Thing to do
Sunday Walking Street
Weekly evening market that closes Ratchadamnoen Road from Tha Phae Gate to Wat Phra Singh, with crafts, street food and temple-courtyard food courts.
Warorot Market
Chiang Mai's main local market since 1910, on Wichayanon Road, selling northern sausages, chilli pastes, dried foods, flowers, cloth and household goods.
At a glance
- Type
- Market
- Area
- Chang Moi, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Good to know
- Northern food
- Dried goods
- Textiles
Why we recommend it
Warorot Market, known locally as Kad Luang, the big market, is where Chiang Mai residents have shopped for more than a century. It stands on Wichayanon Road in the Chang Moi area, east of the Old City and close to Chang Khlan Road. The site was originally used for royal funeral ceremonies, and in 1910 Princess Dara Rasmi developed it into a market. It is named after Prince Intavaroros Suriyavongse, the eighth ruler of Chiang Mai.
Unlike the night markets, Warorot is a working market first and a tourist sight second, which is exactly its appeal. The food stalls are the highlight for visitors. Look for sai ua, the spiced northern Thai sausage, moo yo, a Vietnamese-style pork sausage, and nam phrik num, a green chilli dip. Dried fruit and other dried foods make good gifts to take home.
Beyond food, the market and the streets around it sell clothing, ceramics, cloth, embroidery supplies, flowers and a long list of household goods. Trok Lao Zhou, an alley section of the market, specialises in Chinese and Hmong goods, and its Hmong vendors trade daily from 7:00 to 17:00. The surrounding area is often described as Chiang Mai's Chinatown, and wandering the nearby lanes is part of the experience.
The market suits food lovers, cooks and anyone curious about daily life in the city. It is easier to browse in the morning, before the midday heat builds, and you will get the best choice of fresh produce then. Allow an hour or two. Bring small notes, wear comfortable shoes and keep an eye on your bag in the narrow aisles.
White minibuses to San Kamphaeng and the MAIIAM art museum leave from the market, which makes it a useful transport hub as well as a place to shop. The Night Bazaar on Chang Khlan Road is close enough to combine with an afternoon visit before heading there for the evening.
If you plan to cook during your stay, this is the place to buy chilli pastes, dried spices and herbs, and if you are taking a cooking class, a visit afterwards helps you recognise the ingredients you have just used. Remember that you may need to check customs rules for food at home before packing anything.
Warorot Market FAQs
What is Warorot Market also called?
Kad Luang, which means the big market.
When did it become a market?
In 1910, when Princess Dara Rasmi developed the former royal funeral ground into a market.
What should I eat or buy?
Sai ua and moo yo sausages, nam phrik num chilli dip and dried fruit are local favourites.
Where is it?
On Wichayanon Road in Chang Moi, east of the Old City and close to Chang Khlan Road.
When should I go?
Mornings are cooler and give the best choice of fresh produce.
Is there a Chinatown area?
Yes, the surrounding area is known as Chiang Mai's Chinatown, and Trok Lao Zhou sells Chinese and Hmong goods.
Can I catch transport from here?
Yes, white minibuses to San Kamphaeng and MAIIAM leave from the market.
How long should I allow?
One to two hours.