San Kampaeng
Address:
Chiang Mai,
NileGuide Expert tip:
Souvenirs and silksDescription:
Thai silk is regarded as the best in theworld and San Kamphaeng - Thailand's main producer – is the place to get it. Along a nice road from Chiang Mai to San Kamphaeng there are many handicraft shops selling beautiful silk products along with traditional items like pottery, stoneware, silverware, sculptures, jewellery and wood carvings (though you are better off heading to Ban Tawai for these). Look out for unique items like the hand-made umbrellas and parasols of Bo Sang, which are vibrantly colored and often detailed with stunning floral motifs. The top quality fabrics are woven by local folk on traditional wooden looms and are available in a wide variety of patterns. Beware the cheaper imitation Chinese silk, which is not as soft. Real silk has imperfections and will smell like burnt hair if you take a lighter to it (think twice before asking them to do this though!!).