Sunday Walking Street
The Chiang Mai Sunday Walking Street is one of the renowned Northern Thailand tourist attractions, well-known among both Thai and foreign travelers. This essay submitted to us by Mr. Komwich Wannavijit, English Major at Chiang Mai University, provides a nice description of this famous area of Chiang Mai, from one student’s perspective.
The brick-surfaced walking street is located on Ratchadamneurn road in “Old” Chiang Mai; the area encircled by the moat and the ancient wall. In the past, the wall was built with the purpose of protecting the city from enemies, though today the importance has changed to that of an enduring symbol of Chiang Mai and its rich history.
The main route of the Sunday Walking Street is from the ancient “Thapae” gate to Wat Prasing (also ‘Pra Singh’ or ‘Phrasing’ temple) over a distance of about one kilometer. In my opinion, the Chiang Mai Walking Street is the most worthwhile market destination for tourists coming to Chiang Mai. This is because shoppers will have a different experience on this street than some of the other markets – there is not the high pressure sales, prices are set low, and it is a great place to find a bargain.
On every Sunday, the Chiang Mai Walking Street is transformed into an extensive market from late afternoon to around midnight. Accordingly, the market is also known as the “Sunday market”. The main temptations offered in the market street are the high quality handmade products from all around Northern Thailand. Even after all the times I have been to the Walking Street, I am still excited about the wide variety of goods for sale.
Typical scenes might include people crowded around a craftsman carving out an elephant form from teak wood or a small-business woman laying out her handmade dolls trying to attract attention from the passing eyes.
There are also dozens of shops offering some of the finest foods from northern Thailand. Sam Phao temple is one of the best places for finding something to eat; here there is a large space dedicated to an open-air food market on each Sunday. The area within the temple grounds abounds with many different vendors and specialty food, such as the roasted eggs in a banana leave called “Khai Pham”, that are a real treat for Thai people.
Also, the street has many sit-down restaurants that feature a wide variety of food and entertainment. These restaurants are open every day of the week but come particularly alive every Sunday night.
Walking Street offers more than the weekly market and when visiting in the daytime, on any day, there is another enchantment. The Walking Street (also a driving street when not closed for the market) bisects the core of this historical city and is surrounded by ancient temples. There are over 30 temples in the Old City and many are along or a short distance from Walking Street – also called Soi Ratchadamnuern. The temples are often adorned with local northern style (or “Lanna” style) art; some temples are also influenced by Burmese art.
Each temple has its own unique characteristics and one of the most popular is Chedi Luang temple (Wat Chedi Luang) with probably the most impressive pagoda in Chiang Mai. The temple is spacious and will provide a relaxing pause for travelers who stop to admire the artistic details throughout the temple complex.
Wat Prasing (or Wat Phra Singh) is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai, built in the 14th century to house the ashes of a former King. The buildings are richly ornamented with the “Lanna” plaster work. On the interior walls there are many delicate and ancient paintings showing life from a former Chiang Mai. Inside the main temple is a highly sacred place containing one of the most highly revered Buddha images in Thailand.
Night or day… Chiang Mai’s Walking Street is a great destination. In the daytime there is shade from the many trees along the old street and the buildings are all height restricted so the street feels very open and you will feel surrounded by rich culture. In the evenings there are many restaurants and small bars to enjoy and, on Sunday nights, there is the truly unique Thailand experience of the Sunday Walking Street. Day or night, it is not an exaggeration to suggest that this a Thailand experiences not to be missed.
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Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 |
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 December 16th, 2012 to March 14th, 2012 | |
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The grand celebration of Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 will be held again from16 December 2011 t |
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