Baan Tawai Village, located just an hour from Chiang Mai in Hangdong District, is a treasure trove for art enthusiasts and culture seekers. Renowned for its exquisite wood carvings, the village invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of traditional craftsmanship. Stroll through bustling markets, where vibrant displays of art await, and meet talented wood carvers who showcase their incredible skills. This community celebrates a rich heritage of woodworking, making it the perfect destination for those looking to acquire unique handcrafted pieces. Experience the charm and artistry of Baan Tawai Village, where creativity meets tradition in every sculpture.
Baan Tawai Village is a hidden gem located just an hour away from the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, nestled in the picturesque Hangdong District. This charming community is celebrated for its exceptional wood sculptures, drawing in visitors eager to explore the intricate artistry that defines the area. As you wander through the village, you will find an array of markets bustling with life, showcasing the unique talents of local wood carvers who have honed their craft over generations.
The air is rich with the scent of freshly carved wood as artisans demonstrate their techniques right before your eyes. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the traditional methods used in creating these exquisite pieces, from finely detailed sculptures to functional art. These skilled craftsmen take immense pride in their work, providing insight into the artistry and dedication that goes into each creation.
Visitors can engage with the artists, asking questions and even learning a few techniques themselves during workshops. The village is a vibrant cultural hub, and it’s not uncommon to find groups gathered to share stories and experiences centered around their love for woodworking.
The markets offer a delightful selection of handcrafted items for purchase, allowing you to take home a piece of Baan Tawai’s rich artistic heritage. Each sculpture tells a story, making it a perfect memento for those who wish to carry a slice of Thai culture with them.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a collector, or simply curious about Thai craftsmanship, a visit to Baan Tawai Village promises a memorable experience filled with creativity, cultural exchange, and a deep appreciation for the artistry of wood carving.
บ้านถวาย (เมืองเชียงใหม่, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Attractions
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Baan Tawai Village is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking 90 Moo 2 Khun Khong, 50230, Thailand
We visited Baan Tawai after an overload of shopping in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I’m not really a shopaholic and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I’m the kind who carries shopping bags around, if you know what I mean :).However this place just blew me away. There is spectacular stuff to buy at Baan Tawai. We visited only a handful of shops but soon found ourselves looking up shipping container rates. There were so many more shops that we did not even look at. And, no, they are not all the same. There is some serious woodwork to be found here. I think it’s at the Bali level or perhaps even better. There’s furniture, vases, lampshades, kitchenware, tableware, curios and all sorts of decorative items made of wood. We bought a couple of elephants to stand guard outside our home. They were simply adorable. Everything is priced reasonably (this is where the night markets get their stuff from). The shop owners are friendly and are open to negotiation. There are some incredible bargains to be found here. The quality and variety of woodwork is right out of this world. We did see some shops selling stuff that was not woodwork as well. Another reason Baan Tawai is worth a visit is the crowd (or lack thereof). There are no hordes of tourists pushing you around. We went in the morning and got a lot of attention from the shop owners. It was a refreshing shopping experience. Anyone serious about doing up their homes can easily spend a day here. Even otherwise, this has got to be on the list of anyone visiting Chiang Mai.
I live in Chiang Mai and have visited Ban Tawai many times over the past 6 years. We have also purchased many art pieces for our home and the most recent was a magnificent bronze statue of a Thai angel. There are hundreds of shops and galleries offering an incredible selection of arts, crafts, clothing, teak furniture, jewelry souvenirs and Much more. You can not see it all in one day but there is also a visitors map available to help you find what you are seeking. In general, most prices are very reasonable especially for the perceived values and apparent hard work involved in the creating of many of these pieces. Definitely a Must Visit place if you are traveling in Chiang Mai. Located south of Chiang Mai-15 minute drive outside of Hang Dong.
My vendor (Wat is his name, i believe) provided great service and fair prices. He offered to build a frame for the art piece I bought, put in an LED light and have frame stained to color I wanted. Then he would package and ship it to USA at once. I liked it enough I bought another piece from him to lower the shipping costs. Too heavy to carry
I really love to walk along the road surround the village. There are many shops that sell products, range from big wooden furniture to stylistic wooden vase and crafts. If you are the one who love decorating your home, you will love this place. I visit this place many times but still love to be there if I have time. Reasonable price. Some products are the same as the ones you find in the night market of CM but I like to buy directly from the producers. It may be a bit in-convenient to travel there if you don’t have a car.
Baan Tawai has all sorts of wood knick-knacks, and it also has some quality art and furniture. The main part of the village is like a strip mall or flea market of store fronts, and you could easily spend 3 hours looking into all of them. There are some shops that are off on side streets. Also, outside of the main flea market-like area, there are obviously other shops and even lumber yards or mills. I think if you had a whole day, spoke Thai or had an interpreter, and you wanted some special furniture made or really wanted to explore what all is or could be made there out of wood, you wouldn’t be disappointed. Otherwise, check out the flea market-like area and buy some unique art or small furniture pieces, or even some very large ones if you’re willing to pay for shipping. My wife and I ended up buy a unique, multi-candle candle holder and a unique vase.
Located a short distance from Chiang Mai, accessible by local taxi, it offers a wide range of locally made souvenirs as well as locally produced wooden furniture, there are numerous places to eat and coffee shops
we really wanted to do this tour and meet the artists! but unfortunately no one showed up to take us for the tour. the hotel tried to help and contacted the tour operator but no luck.. so disappointed ! we were able to get reimbursed..but were not able to do the tour because we had to leave Chiang mai the evening..
Dead. Complete wasted journey. I heard after that since Covid, it never recovered. Hardly anything there.
I very nearly didn’t visit based on the negative reviews but I’m so glad we did. We drove there in our hire car, about a half hour drive from Chiang Mai old town.The Main Street is covered to some extent. Park your car on the water way side away from the shops. There is also a larger area about halfway down in the middle. Loads of individual stalls with roads leading off the main road we were probably there 3 hours in total and could have spent longer if we’d had a drink and a snack.Some of the places sold furniture, some ornately decorated pieces, others more naturally finished items. We found a couple of bits to buy and could easily have spent a lot of money in some of the fine works.Whilst in one of the stalls “Baan Tipmanee” they mentioned they have a larger factory store just outside the village. As you leave it’s on the left hand side. My goodness me. Part museum, part shop this place will blow your mind. Some of the larger fine works were astounding. They took their creator years to complete. The difference between master carver works and trainee carvers was clear to see.There were literally thousands of items for sale spread out over a dozen or so different areas. In my humble opinion definitely worth a visit.
We were disappointed by this place. We expected to see workshops and carving, but the reality is a very large number of retail outlets.We did find a very nice shop but it was selling Indian textiles and antiques!