Bo Sang, a small village in San Kamphaeng district about 9 kilometers east of Chiang Mai, is the birthplace of the Bo Sang umbrella — the hand-painted paper umbrella that has become one of Chiang Mai's most recognized symbols worldwide.
From a Well by the Bamboo Grove to a Village of Umbrella Makers
The name "Bo Sang" comes from "Bo Sang" (originally "Bo Zang"), after a well the villagers dug near a grove of sang bamboo. Most Bo Sang residents trace their ancestry to the Tai Lue people, who migrated from Sipsongpanna (present-day Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China) and settled in the Lanna region.
Local legend traces the umbrella craft to Phra Inthaa, a monk from Wat Bo Sang, who went on a pilgrimage near the Thai-Myanmar border and witnessed local villagers there making paper umbrellas. He brought the knowledge back and taught it to the people of Bo Sang, a village that already had ready access to bamboo and the mulberry trees needed to make the paper.
3 Things Worth Knowing About Bo Sang Umbrellas
1. The Traditional Umbrella-Making Process
The frame is made from thin strips of bamboo; the handle and cap from soft wood. The canopy is "sa paper," made from the pulp of mulberry-tree bark — its longer fibers give it strength and durability despite being remarkably lightweight. Once stretched over the frame, it is coated with a natural lacquer for water resistance, then hand-painted one umbrella at a time.
2. Patterns and Colors Drawn from Nature
Traditional patterns typically feature flowers, natural motifs, or Lanna landscapes, originally painted with pigments extracted from local bark and plants. While modern paints are now common alongside the traditional palette, many of the village's artisans still preserve the original hand-painting technique.
3. The Annual Bo Sang Umbrella Festival
Every year during the third weekend of January (in 2026: January 16-18), Bo Sang hosts the Bo Sang Umbrella and San Kamphaeng Handicraft Festival. The main street is strung with brightly colored umbrellas, and the village comes alive with parades, live umbrella-making demonstrations, painting competitions, and the Miss Bo Sang Umbrella contest — the liveliest time of year to visit.
Regular Day Visit vs. Festival Visit
- Atmosphere — Regular day: quiet, with an up-close look at artisans actually at work / Festival: full of energy, with parades and performances
- Activities — Regular day: browse small umbrella workshops and showrooms at your own pace / Festival: umbrella-painting workshops, competitions, and a special handicraft market
- Crowds — Regular day: light foot traffic, easy browsing and shopping / Festival: very crowded — come early or book accommodation in advance
Local Insider Tips
- Getting there: Bo Sang sits about 9 km from central Chiang Mai along the San Kamphaeng road, roughly a 20-25 minute drive — easy to combine with other handicraft shopping in the San Kamphaeng area.
- Souvenirs: many shops let you paint your own umbrella design or add a name, making a genuinely one-of-a-kind gift — just ask about protective packaging, as sa paper is fairly delicate for travel.
Explore Lanna Craft Heritage with Terra Lanna
Get closer to Chiang Mai's local culture by staying at one of our hotels in the city, or let our local team arrange a private deep-dive tour of the San Kamphaeng handicraft villages for you.
Learn more: Chapter 3 (IV): Traditional Handicrafts