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Bo Sang Umbrella Village

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Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)

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Bo Sang Umbrella Village, located just outside Chiang Mai, is a world-renowned center for traditional Thai handicrafts and a prime example of a successful community-based industry. The village has specialized in the production of hand-painted paper umbrellas for over 200 years, a craft allegedly introduced by a monk who learned the technique in neighboring Burma. The umbrellas are made from 'Saa' paper (derived from the bark of the mulberry tree) and locally sourced bamboo and silk. Bo Sang is a unique economic ecosystem where nearly every household is involved in a specific part of the production process, from frame making to intricate floral painting. Today, the village is a major cultural tourism destination where visitors can witness the entire manufacturing cycle. Its products are exported globally, representing the artistic heritage of the Lanna Kingdom and providing a sustainable livelihood for hundreds of local families.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C192225272625242424232119
Rain mm15523631891411782372221233713

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Bo Sang Umbrella Village is a craft village near Chiang Mai, famous for handmade umbrellas made from saa paper and silk. It is a prime example of tourism-focused local industry in Thailand.
🚪
Visiting
The village is fully open to visitors, and the workshops can be toured. Many families gladly demonstrate how the umbrellas are handmade and painted.
👀
Where to view it
The central square of the village is the best spot to see the many colorful umbrellas hanging over the alleys. From the surrounding hills, a scenic view of the entire village unfolds.
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Local products
Besides umbrellas, fans, lampshades, and paper goods made from saa paper are also offered. Silk scarves and embroidered textiles from the village are typical souvenirs.
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Active season
The village is active year-round, but it is especially lively during the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival in January. The place turns into a sea of colors and handicrafts.
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Nearby
Visiting Bo Sang can be wonderfully combined with a trip to Chiang Mai, famous for its temples and night markets. The nearby elephant camp or Doi Suthep pagoda are also worthwhile.

Geography

Coordinates
18.77000, 99.07000

Facts

  • Bo Sang is famous for umbrellas made from 'Saa' (mulberry) paper and silk.
  • The village holds the Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankamphaeng Craft Festival every January.
  • The craft was brought to the village over 200 years ago by a monk named Phra Intha.
  • The paper is naturally waterproofed using a special oil-based lacquer.
  • Bo Sang umbrellas are entirely handmade, from the bamboo frame to the final painting.
  • The village is a major center for the Lanna-style handicraft industry.
  • The 'Saa' paper is made by boiling mulberry bark and spreading the fibers on screens.
  • Bo Sang umbrellas are recognized as a 'One Tambon One Product' (OTOP) premium handicraft.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Ping River ValleyPing River Valley8 km · SExplore →
Chiang MaiChiang Mai9 km · SExplore →
Wat Phra That Doi SuthepWat Phra That Doi Suthep17 km · SExplore →
Doi Chiang DaoDoi Chiang Dao20 km · SWExplore →
Khun Tan RangeKhun Tan Range21 km · NExplore →
Doi Pha Hom PokDoi Pha Hom Pok24 km · WExplore →
TakTak34 km · EExplore →
LampangLampang48 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Bo Sang Umbrella Village (13)

Wat Rong Tham⛪ religious

This Lanna-style temple is known for its wooden wihan and ornate carvings.

Wat Buak Khrok Luang⛪ religious

The temple is famous for its well-preserved 19th-century murals depicting the life of Buddha.

Baan Jang Nak🏛 museum

This museum showcases intricate elephant wood carvings created by master artisan Phet Wiriya.

Collection of vintage railroad warning signs🏛 museum

This collection features vivid Thai railway safety posters and warning signs dating back to the 1960s.

Art in Paradise real location🏛 museum

An interactive 3D illusion art museum featuring over 130 paintings that invite visitors to become part of the art.

🕒 Mo-Su 09:00-19:00

Wat Phra Ood🏺 historical

These reclaimed 16th-century ruins are a significant part of the ancient Wiang Kum Kam historical complex.

Wat Theparam⛪ religious

A traditional community temple known for its beautifully tiered Lanna-style roof and local religious atmosphere.

Pracha Rat Khon Thai Yim Dai Market🎭 culture

A community-focused market that specializes in organic produce and handmade products from nearby villages.

Chamcha Market🎭 culture

An artsy craft market set under the shade of massive, ancient rain trees, offering unique handmade items.

🕒 Sat-Sun 09:00-14:30

Kha Charoen Market🎭 culture

A local market celebrated for its traditional Thai sweets and its abundance of fresh tropical fruits.

Sa Paper & Umbrella Handicraft Centre📍 landmark

Visitors can watch skilled artisans hand-paint delicate bamboo umbrellas at this traditional workshop.

Sankamphaeng Walking Street📍 landmark

An evening market that showcases the district's renowned silk fabrics and intricate lacquerware products.

🕒 Sa 17:00-22:00

Wat Muang Ma Neua📍 landmark

This rural monastery features a classic wooden assembly hall built in the traditional Lanna architectural style.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What makes Bo Sang village special?
It is famous for the traditional handcrafting of paper umbrellas.
Can you watch the artisans there?
Yes, in many workshops you can watch the entire manufacturing process.
Where is Bo Sang?
Only about 10 kilometers east of Chiang Mai city.
Can you get umbrellas personalized?
Yes, many artists paint custom motifs or names on request right on site.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes, it's a fun excursion for children who enjoy painting.
Bo Sang Umbrella Village: where is it located?
Bo Sang Umbrella Village is located in Thailand.
Bo Sang Umbrella Village: what is there to see?
Highlights include Wat Rong Tham, Wat Buak Khrok Luang, Baan Jang Nak.
Bo Sang Umbrella Village: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Nov.
Bo Sang Umbrella Village: why is it worth visiting?
Bo Sang Umbrella Village, located just outside Chiang Mai, is a world-renowned center for traditional Thai handicrafts and a prime example of a successful community-based industry.
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Nearby cities

Chiang Mai — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a city in mountainous northern Thailand, known for its walled Old City and hundreds of Buddhist temples.
Mae Hong Son — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son is a remote town in the mountains of Northern Thailand, known for its morning mist and strong Shan cultural heritage.
Pai — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Pai
Pai is a laid-back mountain village in Northern Thailand, famous for its bohemian atmosphere, hot springs, and stunning natural scenery.
Tak — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Tak
Tak is a town in western Thailand, bordering Myanmar, serving as an important trading post.
Lampang — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Lampang
Lampang is a city in northern Thailand known for its horse-drawn carriages and traditional Lanna culture.
Kengtung — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Kengtung
A picturesque town in eastern Shan State, known for its traditional architecture and ethnic diversity.

History & landmarks

Doi Inthanon Summit — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Doi Inthanon Summit
The highest point in Thailand, located in Doi Inthanon National Park.
Hellfire Pass Memorial — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Hellfire Pass Memorial
A railway cutting on the former 'Death Railway' in Kanchanaburi, hand-hewn through solid rock by Allied prisoners of war.

Nature

Khun Tan Range — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Khun Tan Range
A mountain range in northern Thailand, known for having the country's longest railway tunnel passing through it.
Dawna Range — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Dawna Range
A subrange of the Tenasserim Hills, forming the border between Thailand and Kayin State in Myanmar.

More places

Ping River Valley — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Ping River Valley
The valley in which the city of Chiang Mai is located, irrigated by one of the two main headwaters of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
A sacred Buddhist temple on Doi Suthep mountain, near Chiang Mai.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
A mountain sanctuary overlooking the city of Chiang Mai.
Doi Chiang Dao — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Doi Chiang Dao
A massive limestone monolith known as 'City of Stars'.
Doi Luang Chiang Dao — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Doi Luang Chiang Dao
A distinctive limestone mountain in northern Thailand, considered the country's third highest and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Doi Pha Hom Pok — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Doi Pha Hom Pok
The second highest mountain in Thailand, known for its geothermal hot springs and rich flora, including rare orchids.
Mae Ya Waterfall — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Mae Ya Waterfall
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park, cascading down a 260-meter wide rock face.
Doi Inthanon National Park — Bo Sang Umbrella Village (Thailand)
Doi Inthanon National Park
Known as the 'Roof of Thailand'.