Outside of the city, the two main shopping areas for furniture and handicrafts are the Sankampaeng Road area and the area between the Hang Dong Road and Ban Tawai. Sankampaeng tends to be more expensive, but the furniture may be better for export (kiln dried timber) and I think it has the best celadon. However, I don?t recall seeing water hyacinth furniture there, but it is definitely available in the Hang Dong area.

I suggest that when you arrive you get a copy of ?Guidelines Chiangmai? or ?Good Morning Chiangmai? and have a look at the adverts to identify specific shops. Your hotel should be able to provide you with a free copy, although they can be scarce near the end of the month. Alternatively, if you have a look at http://www.chiangmai-online.com/gmcm/03-2000/news-cm.html you may get some ideas.

We are spoilt for restaurants in Chiangmai; my favourite Thai restaurant is ?The Gallery? in an old Chinese house on the riverside. If you go there, also have a look at the shops across the road. The Grand Lanna on Sankampaeng road is very attractive, although the food is somewhat westernised. The best French cooking is probably Le Coq D?Or, although The House, not strictly French, on Moon Muang Road is gaining popularity. Nobody?s or the Hofbrauhaus for German food and La Gondola would be my choice for Italian.