Also known as: Baan Kang Wat, Ban Kang Wat Artist Village, Baan Kang Wat Creative Village
Tucked down a lane in the Suthep neighbourhood behind Wat Ram Poeng, Ban Kang Wat — “the village behind the temple” — is a small courtyard of rustic wooden shop-houses turned over to local artists and makers. It opened a little over a decade ago as a place for Chiang Mai’s craftspeople to work and sell side by side, and it still feels more like a working community than an attraction.
Wander the lanes and you’ll find ceramic and pottery studios, a print maker, textile and handmade-goods shops, a couple of small galleries, an indie bookshop, and cafés serving slow coffee under the trees. It draws Chiang Mai’s creative crowd and in-the-know visitors rather than tour buses.
The weekend market
Saturday and Sunday mornings are when Ban Kang Wat comes alive. Local makers set out stalls of handmade ceramics, woven textiles, prints, jewellery, plants and food, and some studios run drop-in workshops — throw a pot, print a tote, paint a tile. Come before noon, when it’s coolest and the stalls are fullest.
Visitor Information
- Entry: Free.
- Hours: Most studios open Tuesday-Sunday, roughly 10:00-18:00; many close on Mondays. The market is weekend mornings.
- Time needed: 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on whether you stop for coffee or a workshop.
Getting There
Ban Kang Wat is in west Chiang Mai near Chiang Mai University, off Suthep Road behind Wat Ram Poeng — about 10 minutes by songthaew or Grab from Nimman. Find it on Google Maps.
If you’d rather not arrange your own transport, a half-day tour pairs Ban Kang Wat with Doi Suthep and the forest temple Wat Pha Lat.
Tips for Visitors
- Go on a weekend morning for the full market; weekdays are quiet but the studios and cafés are still open.
- Bring cash — most stalls don’t take cards.
- Pair it with nearby Wat Umong (the tunnel temple) or a visit up to Doi Suthep.
- Many makers are happy to chat about their work — it’s that kind of place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ban Kang Wat?
It's a small creative community in western Chiang Mai — a courtyard of wooden shop-houses rented by local artists and makers, with ceramic and craft studios, indie shops, galleries and a few cafés. The name means "the village behind the temple."
When is the Ban Kang Wat market on?
The makers' market runs on weekend mornings (Saturday and Sunday), when local artisans set up stalls of handmade ceramics, textiles, prints and plants. Weekdays are quieter, with the permanent studios and cafés still open.
Is Ban Kang Wat worth visiting?
If you like handmade crafts, slow coffee and a local, un-touristy feel, yes. It's a relaxed half-hour to a couple of hours rather than a headline sight — easy to pair with nearby Wat Umong or Wat Ram Poeng.
