Since Chiang Mai is the center of artifact industry, there are villages specialized in producing these characteristic handicrafts, and it is a good chance to experience how they are being made.

Ban Taawai Village is a center of wood carving in Chiang Mai, situated at kilometer 15 along Chiang Mai-Hot route. The wood carved works from here are made with exquisite style by the skilled craftsmen, and it became one of the most demanded artifacts for exportation.

Silversmiths Village is located on Wua Lai Road in Muang district. This is the center of silverware production since the reign of King Mangrai. Prestigious items used in court were also made here. Nowadays, the increasing demands of tourist market and exportation considerably enliven this industry.

Ban Muang Kung Village is famous for its ceramic productions. The finest pottery of the village is known as celadon which has a distinctive glaze made with wood ash. There are also many kinds of ceramic products. The village is located 10 kilometers from Chiang Mai town along Chiang Mai-Hangdong route.

Ban Rai Pai Ngam Village is the center of traditional woven cloth of quality. The village is located at 69-70 kilometers along the Chiang Mai-Hot route. Take a fork road on the left which leads to the village for about 1 kilometer. Along the road, you pass through the bamboo forest lining on both sides. In the village, there is also a museum displaying traditional woven items and traditional lifestyle of people in the past.

Tha Pha Village is well-known for its pha sin or a tube skirt traditionally worn by local people and its beautiful decorative style called tin chok. The decorative style of this village is original and elaborate, allowing the increasing demands for tourist market due to its characteristic style and reasonable price.

Bo Sang Village is situated on Sankamphaeng Road which is teemed with souvenir and handicraft shops. Bo Sang is reputed for its umbrella making. At the Umbrella Making Center or the Sa Paper Umbrellas Handicraft center is the place where visitors can see how the colorful umbrellas are being made. The third weekend of January each year, hundreds of pretty girls hold umbrellas in a very colorful parade and beauty spectacle in the Umbrella Festival.