There are stories contained within the folds of a Hmong skirt, delicately painted with wax and lovingly embroidered for a special occasion years ago. Hmong costume is amongst the most vibrant and decadent in all of Southeast Asia, and Chiang Mai’s Warorot Market is the place to go if you want to ferret through truckloads of vintage Hmong fabric remnants, hand-stitched quilts, textiles, garments and baby carriers.

Warorot is the city’s main market area and apart from textiles, you can find just about every product imaginable being traded from the two undercover buildings, Warorot proper and Ton Lamyai (which houses the famous fresh flower market at its rear), and the nearby Hmong Market.

Outside these designated areas, shopfronts selling herbal medicines and imported fabrics fan out across the streets of China Town, forming a never-ending outdoor shopping complex. If you’re hunting for textiles in Chiang Mai, this is a great place to start.

Equally, if you’re interested in experiencing one of Thailand’s most authentic markets that is still primarily the domain of locals (not tourists), Warorot is a must-visit. Early mornings on the weekend is when you’ll find the market is most alive, or time your visit for one of the quieter periods, such as Wednesday lunch.

It can also be a lot of fun to visit the outdoor sections of both markets after nightfall (especially from 10pm on wards), as deliveries of fresh fruit and flowers pour in from the countryside surrounding Chiang Mai.


Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.


Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Guide to Warorot Market (Talat Warorot)

Warorot Market (also spelt Worarot or Woraros) is known as Kat Luang (‘big market’) to locals. Big market is about right – from a three-storey undercover complex, Warorot extends out to countless street stalls and shopfronts on both sides of Chang Moi Road. As a result, the name Warorot is often used to refer to Chiang Mai’s entire downtown area, the patch of China Town that sits between Thapae Gate and the Ping River.

By day, Warorot Market is a thriving centre of trade, with the indoor shops and market stalls in full swing. After hours (around 6.30pm until 10pm), the indoor market closes up and Warorot is dominated by fruit, flower and other fresh produce stalls. This guide is primarily for Warorot’s indoor market, which takes place during the day (around 5am until sunset, 7 days a week).

Ground floor

Start exploring at the northeast corner of the market, at the intersection of Chang Moi and Wichayanon Roads, where most songthaews make their passenger drop offs. The perimeter of the Warorot building is surrounded by covered clothing stalls and Chinese gold shops. You can enter the main building via one of the dozen undercover walkways that open up to the street along the eastern wall. Here is a good place to grab a morning snack of dim sum, steamed buns or rotisserie chicken before you enter the market proper. Turning left as you enter, you’ll come across a section labelled Area 4. The stalls in this part of the market mainly stock bamboo kitchen utensils, plastic crockery, and temple offerings.

When you’ve walked as far as you can go along the eastern edge of Warorot, you’ll notice a short staircase on your right that leads down to a subterranean food court. Here, tiny tables and chairs are set up in front of a number of khao soi and noodle stands. Contemporary boutiques surround the central court and sell a beautiful assortment of hill tribe clothes made from embroidered and appliqued fabrics.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Market floor

Exit via the matching small staircase directly opposite from where you entered and you’ll find yourself on the main market floor. Resembling something between a herb dispensary, pick-and-mix sweet shop and green grocer, dry goods, packaged snack foods and a small amount of fresh produce (mainly barbecued meat) is all sold here on the floor. It’s usually a flurry of activity, especially on the weekend. Something to take note of is the huge amount of plastic packaging.

Warorot is somewhat lacking in the sensory richness typical of Southeast Asian markets, mainly because all the spices, dried fruit and dried fish are prepacked in shiny plastic bags. There are a few exceptions, and these stalls are worth hunting down if you want to see and smell fresh ingredients. One lady sells fiery chilli paste by the kilo, while a few other vendors stand behind stacks of intriguing banana-leaf pyramids. These little packages contain a traditional Thai sweet snack, and are filled with various combinations of molasses, soy bean paste and sticky rice. Other Lanna snacks worth trying are the pork rind, rice crackers and fresh tamarind.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Second level

When you’ve finished winding your way across the floor and observing some of the market’s eccentricities (like the ancient sets of kitchen scales that sit beside the public phones), rise above the chaos by climbing one of the out-of-order escalators up to the second level. The centre of the second storey is dominated by an open rectangular balcony that looks straight down onto the market below; it’s a great photo opportunity.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Think of Warorot’s second level as four discrete sections, each specialising in a different product category. At the southern end is the pharmacy section, which gives way to a row of clothing stores. On the far right and the far left two near-identical stores mirror each other, and both sell pre-cut lengths of Indonesian batik and other fabrics by the metre, which you can have made into clothing by one of the seamstresses who is set up at the very rear of this floor.


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The rest of the second level is devoted to clothes and accessories, mainly imported work wear and school uniforms (western wall) and backpacks and carry bags (eastern wall). Head to the northern balcony for a good view down over the vendor who sits inside her stall below, perched on top of a pile of produce and packaged foods.

Behind the few clothes shops here on the northern side is a network of ramps, which you can also use to go up and down. Two split floors branch off the main second level. Downstairs you’ll find a nice selection of hill tribe clothes, bedding, and what appears to be a huge industrial kitchen. Upstairs there are a few good fabric stores, but the remainder of the floor space is set aside for storage, including a parking area for vendors who ride their motorbike up the ramps each morning.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Top floor

From here, you can climb another set of stairs to access Warorot’s top floor. Also open in the middle, the shops around the northern balcony have the best clothing, mainly cut from indigo cloth. One shop on this floor stands out among the crowd. Umbrellas, drums, woodwind instruments and an assortment of curios, including temple bells, wood carvings and peacock feathers, are among its offerings. The southern balcony is home to a small, sparse food court.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Walking from Talat Warorot to Talat Ton Lamyai

Make your way back to Warorot’s main second floor. Hidden behind the uniform shops on the western wall, you’ll see a small staircase that leads out into the open air. This is the bridge way and your connection to the Lamyai building, the second of Warorot’s undercover areas, which lies directly across the street.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Guide to Talat Ton Lamyai

Cross the walkway into Lamyai’s top floor and you’ll notice how similar it is to Warorot in terms of layout. A giant balcony overlooks the market floor here too, but Lamyai is distinctly quieter than Warorot. Stallholders in the indoor part of the market keep similar hours to Warorot (around 5am to sunset), but the outdoor part of Talat Ton Lamyai is bustling 24/7. Finished with white-washed concrete, the inside of Lamyai looks newer and slightly cleaner, and conforms to a different quadrilateral shape. Along the shortest side of the top storey you’ll find winter clothes, cheap shoes and bags, and more school uniforms.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Top floor

The longer end of the floor – which looks to be open and split by a labyrinth of ramps – is the market’s most tourist-friendly section. Inside you’ll find a good selection of colourful, lightweight clothes and souvenirs such as key chains.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

The stall on the far right of this area sells a beautiful range of carry bags. The owner, who goes by the slightly unfortunate nickname of ‘Shit’, showed me how he stitches the bags using antique textiles. The ones made from hill tribe shirts, stitched at the neck and sleeves, are a particular favourite of mine.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Take the few steps up to the top split level. Most stores here carry a same-sy range of hill tribe-style kids clothing, but the two adult apparel shops on the far right use more subtle fabrics and natural fibres for their garments.

Market floor

Ton Lamyai’s market floor is comparable to Warorot’s, but with more aromatics on display, including dried shrimp. Here, you can buy hill tribe Arabica coffee and locally grown tea leaves by the bag. Another shop sells fantastic homewares and utensils, including quirky wooden teacups, and another woven rice baskets. The northern end of the floor breaks off into a wet market (which must back right onto the Ping River), and a food court.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Walking from Talat Ton Lamyai to Chiang Mai Hmong Market

Chiang Mai is a fantastic city for exploring on foot, so take a wander to travel the short distance between markets. Exiting Lamyai via a pass on the western wall will deliver you out onto Wichayanon Road, which transects the two undercover markets (you’ll see the pedestrian overpass above you).

There are a lot of tuk-tuks and three-wheeled trishaws parked around here amongst food stalls, fresh flowers and fruit and veg. Many of these stalls are open 24/7 and come to life at night, when supplies of fresh fruit and flowers flow in from the countryside. With Warorot on your left, turn left away from the river and walk a few metres to arrive back at your starting point.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Outside stalls

If you keep walking the perimeter of the market you’ll come across stalls selling cheap clothing and fabric by the metre. Directly opposite the Chinese temple is the mother of all fabric stores. Note the narrow laneway just before the temple that is packed with busy food stalls.

Guide to Chiang Mai Hmong Market

Another small laneway opens up at the southwest corner of Warorot and takes you directly to the Hmong Market. Less permanent than Warorot and Lamyai, the Hmong Market mostly consists of transient tarpaulin-covered stalls and bins loaded with cloth. As a result, it’s dimly lit and rather stuffy – but if you’re at all interested in textiles, you’ll brave the heat and spend some time in here rummaging.

Antique notions, fabric swatches and Akha hats are arranged in beautiful stacks, and there are literally mountains of  batik and embroidered skirts to look through, as well as quilts and antique fabric panels of all shapes and sizes (once used for different costume purposes), and rolls of both raw and indigo-coloured hemp fabric.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Surrounding area

Don’t stop there – there are countless other shops of a similar ilk dotted around the Warorot area and on the other side of the Ping River. Another spot worth visiting is the clothing market set up at the intersection of Soi Kuang Men and Thapae Roads. Two shops of note are Le Leezu, which sells incredible handbags made from leather and antique textiles, and Parichart Design, with it’s collection of made-in-Chaing-Mai women’s wear.

Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide
Warorot Market; talat Warorot; Chiang Mai Hmong Market; Warorot Market guide

Being the textile fanatic that I am, Warorot is one of my favourite places to spend a day in Chiang Mai. No matter what you’re interested in buying (or browsing through), it’s well worth setting aside a few hours at least to explore the Warorot area.

Warorot Market, Ton Lamyai and the Hmong Market are just three of literally dozens of markets happening every day in Chiang Mai. For an overview of the other markets the city has to offer, check out this post and this post from Alana at Paper Planes.

More from Thailand & the region:

  • For more Thai craftsmanship, check out the village of Bo Sang just outside Chiang Mai, where people craft traditional umbrellas.
  • If you’re heading to Chiang Mai, consider a side trip to Chiang Dao and the boutique hotel, Chiang Dao Nest.
  • For safety and food tips for Chiang Mai and beyond, check out this backpacker’s guide to Thailand.
  • If you’re heading to Vietnam, don’t miss Bac Ha Market, the biggest Hmong market in the region.

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53 Comments

  1. Thank for this post. I have been to Chiang Mai quite a few times and have yet to step into Talat Warorot. Will go there on my next trip because of a personal mission to find Hmong blankets. Have you seen any blankets in the market? I would like to add to my family’s small collection.

  2. Do you remember the name of the mother of all fabric stores you mentioned?? I will be in chiang Mai in 4 weeks and I’m looking specifically for lace/ special occasion fabrics! Do you have any advice or specific recommendations ? Thanks

  3. Hi Emily
    I am looking for handmade authentic hmong bags, such as the 3 photos that you show with your story. Is it possible for you to put me in contact with a seller of those bags.
    Greeting Sandra

    1. Sorry Sandra, I don’t have a contact. Maybe someone in Chiang Mai can help. Have you tried reaching out to Thai Tribal Crafts, for example?

  4. Hi Emily, is Warorot Market wheelchair accessible?
    I was planning to take my Mom there, at least looking around at the ground floor.
    But I’m not sure is it possible with wheelchair?

    Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Silva,

      Thanks for your comment. That’s an excellent question. From memory, there are lots of split levels, staircases and defunct escalators. It’s a bit of a maze in there. Having said that, I wouldn’t skip it: I’d say you’d be safe visiting the bottom level and the shops around the market. Maybe head straight to Ton Lamyai: It has a large open-floor area on the bottom level that is more spacious (and more interesting if you’re into produce, spices, etc.).

      I hope this helps! If you do end up visiting, feel free to drop back and leave an update. I’m sure your advice would be helpful to other travellers.

      Best,
      Emily

      1. Is Ton Lamyai less crowded than Warorot?

        Also could you tell me where is the entrance that we can go through that is wide enough for wheelchair?
        What is the best time to visit there in weekday?

        1. Hi Silvia,

          It depends when you go. A quieter time might be around lunch time on a weekday. Lamyai might indeed be less crowded then. I can’t remember the entrances by heart, sorry, but try the main one first! It should be the widest passageway.

  5. Hi there
    Thank you so much for this guide….I can’t wait to visit in a couple of weeks.

    Are you able to give an idea of where to start with bartering?
    Eg: if something is 300, 800, 1000, 2000 baht, what is a reasonable 1st offer and where to end approximately.
    I ask because I don’t want my offers to be ‘rude’….

    Also, do you recommend a good place to get bought materials made into clothes, as in copying your own clothing?

    Thanks In Advance

    1. Hi Megan!

      Bartering is tricky… Most people recommend starting at 50% of the stated price and going from there. It really depends on the product, the time of day, and who you’re buying from, etc. Use that as a guide, but do what feels natural and don’t push too hard—that’s my advice. Usually prices are so reasonable to start with, it’s hardly worth haggling. I would personally be happy with pay 75-80% of the stated price, depending on the item. And remember that if things are tagged (many products at the market are), haggling might not be appropriate at all.

      I can’t recommend a specific tailor, but there are lots around the market you could try. You might be able to find some good recommendations on TripAdvisor.

      I hope that helps! Have a wonderful trip!

  6. Hi! I was wondering if you know which stores there selling breathable fabric (such as cotton) trousers use ethical, fair trade production? I hope to find some clothes today. Thank you 🙂

    1. Hi Ella!

      There are a few shops in Chiang Mai I’d recommend, mostly in the Nimman area. Check out Studio Naenna and Ethnic Lanna for starters. I’m not sure you’d find anything Fair Trade at the market itself, but you might find some cotton products.

      Good luck!

  7. Thanks for this comprehensive guide to Warorot. I didn’t know about the upper floors on the indoor buildings. I’d never ventured farther than the second floor of the main one. Something new to try.
    Have you ever seen feathers or silk flowers in Warorot? If spent a couple of days looking and haven’t come up with anything except the garrish colored paper ones on plastic stems, not good for hats.
    I’m going to try the little sewing supply store next to the Hmong Market this afternoon. I didn’t see anything there, but sometimes they have things in the warehouse.

    Any other suggestions.

  8. Thanks for a great article! Have you ever seen Indian tiffin cans for sale in Chiang Mai? I am going there soon and would love to buy some! Thanks! Cecile

    1. Thanks, Cecile! Glad you found it helpful. No, I don’t think I have. Plenty in Malaysia, but not in Chiang Mai! I’m sure you could turn some up somewhere, though.

      Happy hunting!

  9. Thank you for this post, so glad to have information outside where to eat, sleep and party. Fabrics are my weakness so I will be making Chang Mai the last stop on my journey to Thailand this winter! I will likely leave with an over stuffed suitcase!
    I am trying not to drool on the screen. 😉

  10. I am looking for natural fibre knitting yarns and circular knitting needles..maybe warorot market has these..am in Chiang mai this week ….Can Go any day…….would prefer information to locate these items rather than search thru market….yarns interested in..silk. cotton etc.

    1. Hi Janice,

      Sorry, I don’t think I saw natural fibre yarns at Warorot. They might stock what you’re looking for now, but not when I was there.

      Sorry I can’t be of help! Please let me know if you find what you’re looking for and I can update the article for other readers.

  11. Hi Emily!

    Thank you so much for your post. It is really good. I have heard that there is a shop in Warorot Market that sell Singer sewing machines. Is that correct and do you happen to know where it is located? I have googled a lot without finding anything that helps me. I hope that you can help me and that you read this soon as I have to find it tomorrow Tuesday Feb 6 (birthday gift for Wednesday). 😊 All the best and kind regards, Markus

    1. Hi Markus! Thanks for your comment. I don’t recall that shop—and I would have noticed, because I love those machines. Either it’s no longer there, or it’s in a part of the market that I didn’t get to. So sorry I can’t help. Please get back to me if you do find it as I’d love to include it in the post.

      Good luck!

      1. Hi Emily! Thank you so much for your swift response. I really appreciate it. If I find it I’ll get back to you for sure. Have a lovely day! Kind regards, Markus

  12. Hi Emily,

    This is by far the best post I’ve read so far about markets in Chiang Mai! We will be visiting in just a few days and I’m so excited to explore Warorot, Ton Lamyai and the Hmong markets for unique, locally-made items. I am particularly interested in the hand-stitched carry bags at Ton Lamyai and those beautiful leather and fabric bags at Le Leezu. Is the latter a standalone store or a market stall? Hopefully, I’ll be able to find them.

    Thanks again for this great guide!

    1. Hi Tracey! Thanks so much for the feedback! Glad to hear you found the post helpful. To answer your question – Le Leezu is a standalone store. From memory, it’s quite big with multiple facades and entries, so you shouldn’t have much trouble spotting it. Please do let me know if you find that it has moved and I can update the post for others.

      Enjoy Chiang Mai! I hope you find some really special things to take home with you 🙂

  13. Hello,

    I too am looking for a supplier of Hmong purses in Chang Mai. I will be there next week. Can you send me contact information for the suppliers?

    Thank you,

    Joanne

    1. Hi Joanne,

      Unfortunately I don’t have any direct contacts for purse suppliers. Please do share any info you dig up here as it might come in handy for future readers.

      All the best!

  14. Hi Emily

    Thanks for the great post. Could you give me an indication of what prices I should be paying for the Hill tribe clothes – particularly the little crop jackets? I’m busy walking your exact route now! Had some steamed dumpling and that bamboo dessert thing!

    Great post!

    Bron

    1. Hi Bron! Glad to hear that! It would depend on the quality and age of the item—I think from memory, I paid about 40 USD for something similar, vintage.

      I hope this helps! Enjoy Chiang Mai!

  15. Hi Emily,
    I do enjoy reading it, all your info made my day!!
    I have several times visited Chiang Mai, and as you did it, I spend the whole day explored it, but you did it much more then I did. Wow. Next month will enjoy Loy Krathong and Warorot as well, will try as you did, angle by angle.

    1. Thanks Pati! Chiang Mai is a very special place. Loy Krathong is a wonderful time to be there! Enjoy your trip, and enjoy the market!

  16. Hi Emily, I’m in Chiang Mai at this moment trying to find Hmong fabric suppliers and your article is so useful! Thank you for this. I’ll make sure to check out the Warorot
    Market today. If you could send me any contact/lead I’d be very grateful. Kop khun kap! Liselotte

    1. Hi Liselotte! Thanks so much for your comment. I don’t have any specific contacts but I’m sure you’ll meet lots of helpful people and find what you’re looking for. All the best on your quest!

  17. Hello there – Thanks for the post. We are looking for a supplier of organic cotton and a manufacturer. Do you know any potential suppliers? If so, I’d be very grateful if you could email *** Thanks in advance 🙂

    1. Hi I have friends in Chiangmai and I travel there frequently from Singapore. Let me know roughly what you need and I can try to help you when
      I travel there next week.

  18. Just came back from a market-hopping trip around Chiang Mai and this guide was SO helpful! Absolutely loved the Thai style homewares I found in Warorot, so much more choice than in Bangkok.

  19. I’m looking to purchase fabric from a Hmong supplier. Might you be able to provide me some names and contact info?

    I would so appreciate the help!

    Many thanks!

    Lisa

    1. Hi Lisa
      Do you have any photo of fabric you need from Hmong Supplier so I can help you source when I make my trips to Chiangmai?

  20. I’d like for someone to help me get in contact with some Hmong suppliers. Your help is much appreciated, please email me. Thank you and have a blessed day!

  21. Hi Emily,

    I greatly enjoyed your informative guide. I will be traveling to this area soon and am very interested in doing some shopping there. Would you be able to tell me if the items in the Hmong market is costly and if there is a wide selection of vendors?

    Thank you.

    1. Hi Janice,

      Thanks so much for your feedback! The Hmong market has a wide array of items and dozens of individual vendors, so you can definitely shop around if you’re interested in something specific. Many appear to sell very similar items, but the best part about the market is rifling through piles of fabric and finding something totally unique! Some pieces are antique and are more costly than others. For example, I was quoted about 350 baht (US$10) for two embroidered fabric panels.

      I have two tips for getting a good price: Buy multiple items (you will get a bulk discount), and remember to bargain with the stallholder.

      I hope this helps! Enjoy your travels in Chiang Mai!
      Emily

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