To get to the Night Bazaar it is enough to say the phrase to the driver of a red truck taxi or a tuk-tuk (though you may be misunderstood if you do not pronounce it like nai ba za).

The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar first appeared several centuries ago as a meeting point for traders when the Lanna Kingdom’s capital was a major stop on the caravan route between southern China and Burmese seaports.

Where the Mountains Come to You
These days it’s mainly a bargain outlet for the famous local handicrafts, along with Counterfeit and genuine name-brand items. The main market is under roofed concessions, but sprawls out into the surrounding streets, where dozens of vendors set up every evening – many of them Hilltribe people who have made the journey from the mountains to "convert their wares into cash".

From Skilled Fingers
Homespun bargains include hand-woven silk and hemp clothing, hand-painted fans and umbrellas, woodcarvings, silver bowls and vases, northern Thai and Hilltribe art and costumes. This is a good place to pick up decorative opium paraphernalia, but make sure it’s clean or customs may have a few questions for you when you get home. The standard modern stuff available in Bangkok is also here – and can often be had for lower prices – if you have the patience.

The Art of the Deal
Bargain hard and show no mercy. Many vendors are selling the same items, so you can easily move on to the next. Keep smiling though – bargaining should be fun after all – and the best deals happen when both sides are happy.

It is probably the largest center for the selling of all sorts of crafts in Northern Thailand. A good place to shop if you are pressed for time-the selection is astounding! It was originally a three story building, and later expanded to be the busy mosaic of department stores, shops, and vendors that it is today. There are both the indoor and outdoor markets.

Many shops and stalls remain open throughout the day and evening, especially along Chang Klan Road. The Annusaan section closes at 10pm, so if you want a chance to browse through some of the best deals, come early.

The stalls have grandiose names, like Harrods (with the familiar logo), and most carry Bangkok-produced counterfeits of international name-brand clothing, watches, and luggage. There are thousands of pirated audio tapes and videodiscs, acres of burnished brown "bone" objects, masks, wood carvings, opium pipes, opium weights, you name it.

Inside the building itself are primarily modern, mass-manufactured goods, with an occasional stand selling wonderful tribal artefacts. They range from pretty good, low-cost Thai fashions to typical souvenirs. The top floor has booths selling locally produced handicrafts, some "antiques," and some decorative arts.

The Annusaan Market, in Charoen Prathet Road, south of Suriwongse Road, closes about an hour earlier than the main Market, but carries more hill-tribe goods in authentic traditional styles. The prices are also considerably better here