Bo Sang
บ่อสร้าง · Chiang Mai Province
Population
5K
Budget / Month
$278
Internet
30 Mbps
Best Season
January (Umbrella Festival); year-round for workshops
About Bo Sang
Bo Sang is a small village about 9 km east of Chiang Mai city center, famous throughout Thailand for its handmade sa paper umbrellas and parasols. The main road through the village is lined with workshops and shops where you can watch artisans craft umbrellas from mulberry bark paper, bamboo, and silk, then hand-paint them with flowers, dragons, and traditional motifs.
The craft dates back over 200 years and has become a symbol of Chiang Mai's artisan heritage. The workshops are genuine, with families making umbrellas for generations, though the tourist trade has expanded the product range. The annual Bo Sang Umbrella Festival in January fills the village with umbrella displays, parades, and craft demonstrations.
Outside the festival, it is a pleasant half-day visit easily combined with the nearby San Kamphaeng hot springs and handicraft village. Most visitors stay in Chiang Mai and visit as a day trip.
Historical Note
Bo Sang's umbrella-making tradition dates back over 200 years, when villagers began crafting parasols from locally produced mulberry bark (sa) paper. The craft became a symbol of Chiang Mai's artisan heritage and was formalized as a tourist attraction in the mid-20th century.
Best time to visit: January (Umbrella Festival); year-round for workshops
At a Glance
Thai Name
บ่อสร้าง
Province
Chiang Mai
Region
Northern
Population
5,000
Area
8 km²
Elevation
310 m
Postal Code
50130
Airport
CNX
Local Language
Kham Muang, Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month10,000 THB
~$278 USD
comfortable
/month19,000 THB
~$528 USD
luxury
/month33,500 THB
~$931 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 25 | 45 |
| Local restaurant meal | 40 | 60 |
| Coffee (cafe) | 35 | 60 |
| Beer (local) | 40 | 60 |
| Water bottle (1.5L) | 10 | 15 |
| Fresh fruit smoothie | 25 | 40 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Homestay/guesthouse | 300 | 600 |
| Small hotel | 500 | 1,000 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Songthaew from Chiang Mai | 20 | 30 |
| Grab from Chiang Mai | 100 | 150 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Small parasol | 100 | 300 |
| Large silk umbrella | 500 | 1,000 |
| Custom painting | 50 | 200 |
| Thai massage (1 hour) | 200 | 300 |
utilities
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| SIM card (tourist, monthly) | 299 | 599 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
15% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
0
Weather & Climate
January for the Umbrella Festival (third weekend). Year-round for workshop visits (daily 8:30-17:00). Weekdays are quieter with artisans more available to demonstrate.
Burning Season Warning
March-April can bring hazy skies from agricultural burning in the Chiang Mai region.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 | 14 | 5 | 55% |
| Feb | 33 | 15 | 5 | 45% |
| Mar | 36 | 19 | 15 | 45% |
| Apr | 37 | 22 | 50 | 55% |
| May | 35 | 23 | 150 | 70% |
| Jun | 33 | 24 | 130 | 72% |
| Jul | 32 | 24 | 160 | 75% |
| Aug | 32 | 23 | 220 | 78% |
| Sep | 32 | 23 | 210 | 78% |
| Oct | 31 | 22 | 120 | 72% |
| Nov | 30 | 18 | 30 | 60% |
| Dec | 29 | 14 | 10 | 55% |
Things to Do
Umbrella-Making Workshops
Visit workshops along the main road to see the full process: bamboo frame construction, sa paper stretching, and hand-painting. Artisans paint designs on anything you bring.
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
เทศกาลร่มบ่อสร้าง
Annual January festival with umbrella-decorated streets, beauty pageants in traditional dress, cultural performances, and street food.
Sa Paper Production
Some workshops show the full process from mulberry bark to finished paper, including soaking, pounding, and drying.
Buy Handmade Umbrellas
Direct-from-workshop purchases ranging from small decorative parasols to large silk umbrellas with lacquer coating.
Cycling from Chiang Mai
A flat, manageable 9 km ride from Chiang Mai city along Route 1006. Pleasant morning ride with workshop visits as the reward.
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
น้ำพุร้อนสันกำแพง
Natural hot springs 13 km east of Bo Sang where you can boil eggs in geothermal water and soak in warm pools.
Food & Dining
ข้าวซอย
Khao Soi
Chiang Mai's signature curry noodle soup with crispy egg noodles on top, rich coconut curry broth, and chicken or beef.
40-70
Noodle shops in the village and nearby San Kamphaeng
ไส้อั่ว
Sai Ua (Northern Sausage)
Spicy Lanna-style pork sausage packed with lemongrass, galangal, and herbs. A northern Thai specialty.
30-60
Market stalls and local restaurants
ขนมจีนน้ำเงี้ยว
Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiao
Northern Thai rice noodles in a tomato-based pork broth with blood cubes and dried chili, a classic Lanna dish.
30-50
Morning market stalls
น้ำพริกอ่อง
Nam Prik Ong
Northern Thai chili dip with minced pork and tomato, eaten with vegetables and sticky rice. Mild and savory.
30-50
Local restaurants
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
200 - 400
THB / night
Budget Hotel
300 - 600
THB / night
Mid-Range
500 - 1,000
THB / night
Luxury
1,000 - 2,000
THB / night
Studio /mo
3,000 - 5,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
4,500 - 7,000
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Very limited accommodation in the village. Most visitors stay in Chiang Mai and visit as a day trip. A few homestays offer overnight during the festival.
Getting There from Bangkok
Chiang Mai International Airport (9 km west)
Airport Code: CNX
Flight to Chiang Mai + local
1.5 hours + 20 min
1,500-4,000 THB
Train to Chiang Mai + local
10-14 hours + 20 min
300-1,500 THB
Bus to Chiang Mai + local
10-12 hours + 20 min
400-800 THB
Getting Around
Songthaew from Chiang Mai
LimitedShared red trucks from Warorot Market heading east on Route 1006.
20-30
Bicycle from Chiang Mai
WidespreadFlat 9 km ride along Route 1006.
50-100/day rental
Grab from Chiang Mai
WidespreadConvenient door-to-door transport.
100-150
Neighborhoods
Main Craft Road
Colorful and artisanUmbrella workshops and shops lining Route 1006 through the village. This is the entire attraction in a walkable stretch.
Best for: Shopping and watching artisans
Residential Village
Peaceful rural villageBehind the main road, a quiet residential area with farms and small houses. The authentic village behind the craft shops.
Best for: Quiet exploration
Festivals & Events
Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
เทศกาลร่มบ่อสร้าง
Annual festival with umbrella-decorated streets, beauty contests, traditional music and dance, painting demonstrations, and night market. Very popular with Thai tourists.
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Local celebrations with northern Thai Lanna character, water blessings, and temple visits.
Practical Info
Hospital
Chiang Mai hospitals (15-20 min)
Best SIM Provider
AIS
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Thai with basic English at tourist-oriented shops. Translation app helpful at workshops.
Drinking Water
Bottled water only.
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
Tourist police 1155, Emergency 191
Day Trips
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
Natural hot springs with geothermal egg boiling, warm pools, and a pleasant park setting.
Chiang Mai City
The full range of Chiang Mai's temples, markets, food scene, and mountain attractions.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bo Sang worth visiting?
For a half-day, yes, especially if interested in traditional crafts. Watch umbrella-making, buy souvenirs, and continue to San Kamphaeng. Not a full-day destination alone.
Are the umbrellas practical or decorative?
Both. Smaller sa paper parasols are decorative. Larger oiled-paper and silk umbrellas with lacquer can handle light rain, but they are primarily souvenirs and art pieces.
Can I have something custom painted?
Yes. Artisans at several workshops will paint designs on umbrellas, fans, bags, or items you bring. Prices are 50-200 THB depending on complexity.
How do I combine Bo Sang with San Kamphaeng?
They are on the same road (Route 1006), 5 km apart. Visit Bo Sang first, then continue east. A songthaew or motorbike covers both in half a day.
When is the Umbrella Festival?
Third weekend of January. Streets decorated with thousands of colorful umbrellas, beauty contests, traditional performances, and night market.
Can I get there by bicycle from Chiang Mai?
Yes. It is a flat 9 km ride east along Route 1006. A pleasant morning ride at a manageable distance.