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Chiang Mai is famous
for traditional handicrafts. Each locality has its own particular craft product, such a
wood carvings, silverware engraving, silk weaving, celadon, umbrella making, lacquerware
and the tribal crafts from the hilltribes.
Wood Carving
Hand Dong district, south of the township of Chiang Mai, is the center of old style wood
carving for decorative pieces. There is also the Banyen Woodcarving Museum on Wua Lai Road
with an excellent collection of Woodcarvings.
Silverware
Wua Lai road is the traditional center of a Chiang Mai silver smith. The articles of
household and ornamental articles include bracelets, webbed belts, neck chains, food
trays, boxes, dippers, bowls etc.
Lacquerware
The lacquerware center is along the road out of Chiang Mai to Chomthong. Lacquerware is an
old craft of Chiang mai. The process of making lacquerware is from the woven bamboo strip
skeleton, then many layers of lacquer are applied. After drying they are polished and
painted with astisric designs.
Umbrella
Making
Bor Sang about 9 kilometers from Chiang Mai city, is the famous umbrella village. The Bor
Sang umbrellas are made of Sa paper. It seems like everyone in this village is busy making
the umbrellas, some have their bamboo frames constructed, some have the newly-dyed paper
umbrellas hung out in the sun to dry while others are painting the umbrellas with floral
designs and dragons.
Cotton And
Silk Village
Silk and cotton are woven by folk people on a traditional loom. Pasang district, about 13
kilometers from Chiang Mai city, is famous for the bright colored cotton material. San
Kampaeng is famous for silk weaving. (see picture)
Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road came into existence because of the craft products of
the local people and the hilltribes. The Night Bazaar offers a unique opportunity to the
tourists at night. Besides the normal shopping for craft products, one may see the
pavement artists who come out with their paintings offering bargain prices for their
original work. The roadside Night Bazaar has merchandise of all types.
Chiang
Mai-San Kamphaeng Handicraft Route
This road is lined up with crafts centers and factories with showrooms and sales areas.
Demonstration of folk crafts in the making is a feature. Modern villages are built to
create the atmosphere and to attract the tourists. Products have been developed and
diversified to meet market demands. Chiang Mai's handicraft Route is flourishing, and has
become the most prosperous handicraft center of the country.
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