The deepest way into Chiang Mai's craft heritage is to make something yourself. Here you can paint your own paper umbrella, beat a silver bowl, throw a celadon pot, weave and naturally dye a length of cloth, or carve wood, learning hands-on from the artisans who have practised these crafts for generations, and taking home what you made. This guide covers the best craft workshops and classes in Chiang Mai.
For the wider picture, see our culture and crafts hub.
Umbrella painting at Bo Sang
The easiest and most family-friendly. At Bo Sang, the umbrella village, watch umbrellas made from bamboo and saa paper, then paint your own designs or have your bag, phone case, or shirt hand-painted on the spot in the artisans' floral style. Cheap, fun, and a personalised souvenir. An easy add to a handicraft-village trip. See our handicraft villages guide.
Silversmithing in Wua Lai
The Wua Lai silver quarter, home of the silver temple, is the traditional centre of Chiang Mai silverwork. In and around it you can find silversmithing and jewellery workshops where you shape, hammer, and finish a piece of silver, often a ring or pendant, to take home. Classes range from a few hours to longer. A memorable way to engage with one of the city's signature crafts. Book ahead and confirm what you will make.
Pottery and celadon
Chiang Mai has a lively ceramics scene. Studios around the city, the Baan Kang Wat artist village, and the Hang Dong and Mae Rim areas run pottery classes, from wheel-throwing and hand-building to glazing, many led by local ceramic artists. The San Kamphaeng celadon workshops show the traditional jade-green ceramic craft. Beginner-friendly; book ahead as small classes fill.
Weaving and natural dyeing
Northern Thailand has a rich textile tradition, and studios teach traditional weaving and natural (plant) dyeing, indigo and more, where you try the loom or the dye process. Studio Naenna is known for natural-dye and weaving heritage, and Sop Moei Arts works with hill-tribe weavers; other studios and hill-tribe communities also offer workshops. Arrange in advance, as many are small studios.
More crafts
- Saa (mulberry) paper making in the San Kamphaeng area.
- Woodcarving around Ban Tawai.
- Lacquerware and other crafts at various studios.
- Cooking classes, the most popular hands-on class of all (see our cooking classes guide).
Costs and booking
| Workshop | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Umbrella painting (Bo Sang) | Small fee / item price |
| Pottery / silver / natural dye (half day) | ~฿800 to ฿2,000 |
| Cooking class | ~฿1,000 to ฿1,500 |
| Longer / multi-day courses | More |
Most workshops are run by small studios with limited places, so book a day or more ahead, especially in high season. Umbrella painting and larger centres often take walk-ins. Confirm the language, what you will make, and pickup when booking.
The bottom line
Making something yourself is the most rewarding way to engage with Chiang Mai's crafts: paint an umbrella, forge a silver ring, throw a pot, or dye cloth, and leave with both a skill and a keepsake. Most classes are beginner-friendly and good value. Pair a workshop with a handicraft-village visit; see our handicraft villages and culture and crafts hub.