Chiang Mai is an excellent place to pick up local handicrafts as the workmanship is often excellent and the price reasonable. There are two main shopping areas that conveniently operate at different times of day: the road to San Kamphaeng extending east for 13km (8 miles) is known locally as ‘Handicraft Highway,' and is lined with workshops where you can watch artisans at work.

The main alternative is the night bazaar (from around 1700), sprawled around the junction of Thanon Chang Klan and Thanon Loi Khro, where indoor markets and multi-storey arcades sell anything made in Chiang Mai as well as crafts from elsewhere in Thailand and Southeast Asia and cheap counterfeit designer goods.

Also worth visiting is Warorot Market, Chiang Mai's oldest and most established market, along the river north of Thanon Tha Pae. It sells cotton, linen and ceramics.

Shinawatra, at 18/1 Thanon Huay Kaew, is Thailand's oldest silk manufacturer, whilst Pa Ker Yaw at 180 Thanon Loi Khro is a treasure trove of rich fabrics from throughout Southeast Asia. For jewellery and silverware visit the workshops on Thanon Wuolai or Nova Collection at 210 Thanon Tha Pae and Sipsang Panna at 6/19 Thanon Nimanhemin. The best-known place to buy wood carvings is the village of Ban Tawai, some 15km (9 miles) southeast of Chiang Mai. The village of Bo Sang, 9km (6 miles) east of Chiang Mai, is famous for its hand-painted paper, silk and cotton souvenir umbrellas.

To make sure that your money reaches those manufacturing the goods, visit non-profit shops, such as the Hill Tribe Products Foundation on Thanon Suthep and Thai Tribal Crafts at 208 Thanon Bamrungrat.

Most shops open Monday to Saturday, about 0800-2000. Those in tourist areas also usually open on Sundays, although for more limited hours.