Baan Celadon

Rating: 3.3/5 (10 votes)

Open Days: Open daily (Monday–Sunday)

Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00

 

Baan Celadon, Chiang Mai Celadon, Doi Saket is one of those places that almost always appears on the list of must-visit spots for anyone who loves handicrafts, pottery, and Northern Thai cultural arts. Rather than feeling like a large, impersonal factory, it has the warmth of a compact craft village nestled within the community and natural surroundings of Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai. With its clay bodies, jade-green celadon glaze, and intricate patterns inspired by Thai traditions and Lanna culture, each piece is much more than a simple object or souvenir. It becomes a small, tangible fragment of Lanna heritage that visitors can take home.

 

The story of Baan Celadon and the Chiang Mai Celadon business, also known as Celadon House, dates back to 1989, when Ms. Kanda Kanjanakorn and Ms. Tussanee Yaja decided to start a small household craft business in Moo 6, Pa Pong Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai. At that time, the area still retained a distinctly rural atmosphere and a simple way of life. The beginning was far from grand: no modern machines, no production line, just a love for clay, a belief in the value of local wisdom, and a determination to move slowly but steadily, thinking carefully and crafting patiently.

 

In the early days, Celadon House operated entirely as a small household craft workshop. Each piece was handmade one by one, with the production team led by Mr. Prajuab Suriyapor overseeing quality at every step. From preparing and kneading the clay, shaping, drying, and smoothing the surface, to decorating and glazing, every stage is carried out with great care. The founders and their team spent years learning from master potters and ceramic experts, as well as from traditional artisans in the area. They studied both ancient techniques and modern methods, blending them until a unique “language of celadon” emerged that truly expressed their own style.

 

The special character of Chiang Mai celadon lies in its clay body and the distinctive green glaze. The clay, often a blend that includes local black clay, is combined with natural ash glazes. When fired at the right temperature, it produces a soft, jade-green tone with beautiful crackle patterns. These tiny lines create a unique personality for every single piece, making no two items exactly the same. What Baan Celadon adds on top of this traditional foundation is its hand-painted and hand-carved decoration, which draws heavily on Thai traditions, festivals, and Lanna cultural motifs. These patterns are reinterpreted in a contemporary way while preserving deep cultural roots.

 

Many of the patterns on the celadon pieces produced here are inspired by Thai and Lanna decorative arts—creeping vines, flowers, classical Thai motifs, and mythical creatures, along with designs adapted from carved wood in old Lanna temples. Rather than relying on printed decals or mass-produced screens, the artisans paint, carve, scratch, and inlay every line by hand. This means each piece carries the artist’s personal touch, like a work of art that can actually be used every day on a dining table or displayed as home decor.

 

Another dimension that makes Baan Celadon more than just a business is its commitment to opening doors for underprivileged children and youth who have a passion for art and craftsmanship. The founders gradually took these young people into the workshop, teaching them from the very basics—how to knead clay, form simple shapes, and smooth surfaces—all the way to more complex skills such as carving detailed patterns and applying glazes. Many who started with no prior experience have grown into skilled artisans, gained a stable income, and built a new life they can be proud of.

 

By drawing local people into the production process, Baan Celadon has become a kind of small anchor for the community that helps distribute income within the area. Doi Saket, once known mainly for agriculture and rural villages, now has an additional livelihood channel through traditional crafts. Wisdom that might once have been dismissed as “old-fashioned” has been transformed into contemporary, market-ready products that can stand on their own in both domestic and international handicraft markets.

 

Over time, what began as a small household business has steadily grown. Today, Baan Celadon and Chiang Mai Celadon have developed into a renowned celadon craft center and a cultural tourism destination. Visitors can experience Lanna-style wooden buildings, a working pottery studio that retains its traditional charm, and a well-organized showroom displaying celadon pieces. The overall layout is designed to harmonize with nature and the surrounding community, making the place feel both authentic and welcoming.

 

What impresses visitors is not just the beauty of the finished pieces, but also the atmosphere and rhythm of life within the workshop. The sound of brushes gliding across glazed surfaces, the thud of clay being shaped on the wheel, and the gentle conversations among artisans together create a backdrop that makes guests feel as though they have stepped back into a time when handmade work was still celebrated as something alive, not just a product on an assembly line.

 

Within the grounds of Baan Celadon, aside from the production area and kilns, there is also a small museum-like exhibition zone that displays special pieces and prototypes. These include works that illustrate the evolution of patterns, glazing techniques, and experimental pieces that might not be commercially perfect but are extremely valuable from a learning perspective. Visitors who are curious about the history and development of Chiang Mai celadon can easily lose track of time in this area.

 

For those who want more than just walking around and browsing, Baan Celadon often organizes workshops and hands-on activities. Visitors can try simple clay work, decorate their own celadon pieces, or observe firings and glaze demonstrations at a level suitable for non-professionals. These activities help people understand how much time, patience, and skill are required to create a single beautiful piece and often make them appreciate the value of the items they take home even more.

 

In terms of products, Baan Celadon offers a wide variety. There are tableware items such as plates, bowls, coffee cups, tea cups, tea sets, and drinking glasses, as well as home decor pieces like lamps, vases, candle holders, and small ceramic sculptures. Some pieces are designed with simple forms and rely on the quiet elegance of the celadon glaze, while others feature lush floral, Thai, or Lanna-inspired patterns. Many designs draw on Northern festivals and everyday scenes—parades, Yee Peng lantern festivals, elephants, horses, and birds in classic Lanna style.

 

Prices range from accessible souvenirs to high-value collector’s pieces that require complex techniques and long production times. This means visitors can find something suitable for their budget, whether they want a small keepsake or a statement piece for their home. Many people who have visited once return later to add new designs to their collection or to buy gifts for special occasions, as giving celadon is often seen as offering not only a useful object but also a piece of Lanna storytelling.

 

Another clear strength of Baan Celadon is the way it blends tradition with contemporary design. Some collections feature minimalist forms paired with classic celadon glazes, creating home decor that fits modern interiors while subtly retaining Thai character. Other collections use simple, meaningful motifs such as waves, clouds, or local flowers, making them ideal for younger visitors who want Thai crafts that feel understated rather than overly ornate.

 

For locals, Baan Celadon is not just a “pottery factory” but also a community space that hosts various activities. It has welcomed cultural tour groups, school field trips, and children’s art workshops on weekends and holidays. Having one place play multiple roles—economic, cultural, and educational—makes it an important part of Doi Saket’s cultural landscape.

 

For travelers exploring Chiang Mai, Baan Celadon is a key stop along the Chiang Mai–Doi Saket route. It is located near several other attractions in the district, such as Wat Phra That Doi Saket, Tweechol Botanical Garden, and Mae Kuang Dam. Visitors can easily plan a half-day or full-day trip that includes temple visits and scenic viewpoints, followed by a stop at Baan Celadon to see the celadon workshop, enjoy a meal, and shop for gifts before heading back into the city.

 

Food lovers will also appreciate Baan Celadon, as there are coffee corners, dessert spots, and simple local-style meals available on-site. Some well-known items include Northern-style sweets and special lunch sets or weekend menus served in the garden. Celadon pieces are not just displayed on shelves but are used as actual tableware, helping guests feel a stronger connection between handcrafted ceramics and everyday life.

 

Photography enthusiasts will find plenty to love here as well. From Lanna-style wooden houses and traditional kilns to the warm lighting of the showroom and the garden corners filled with greenery, there are attractive scenes everywhere. Whether it’s a wall lined with celadon shelves, reflections of pottery in glass surfaces, or sunlight highlighting the delicate crackle of the green glaze, almost every corner invites you to take another photo.

 

Getting There: Reaching Baan Celadon from Chiang Mai city is fairly straightforward. Most visitors follow Highway 118 towards Doi Saket, a distance of around 18–20 kilometers that takes roughly 30 minutes by car. After leaving the city and continuing along the main road, look for signs to Doi Saket and then turn onto the Doi Saket–Bo Sang Road at about the 3-kilometer mark. There, you will find clear signs for the craft center and showroom. Those without a private car can hire a yellow songthaew or taxi from the city to drop them directly at the entrance. Travelers staying in the outer ring road area will find the drive even shorter and more convenient.

 

Once at Baan Celadon, visitors should allow at least one to two hours to walk through the workshop, mini museum, and showroom. If you plan to join a workshop, paint your own piece, or enjoy a meal or dessert on-site, it is easy to spend three to four hours or even half a day. Many people like to visit in the late morning or early afternoon, then finish their time here with coffee, snacks, and a bit of souvenir shopping before heading back to town.

 

In the broader picture, Baan Celadon and Chiang Mai Celadon in Doi Saket demonstrate how local wisdom can move forward confidently in a modern world. When younger generations are willing to dust off ancestral knowledge, refine the designs to suit contemporary tastes, and make both Thais and international visitors feel that these crafts are desirable to use, collect, and share, traditional wisdom can continue to breathe. Visiting Baan Celadon is not just a shopping stop; it is a way of supporting the living continuity of that wisdom.

 

For travelers seeking a place in Chiang Mai that combines art, culture, learning, food, and quality souvenirs in one peaceful setting—somewhere more refreshing than a shopping mall and as warm as visiting someone’s home—Baan Celadon and Chiang Mai Celadon in Doi Saket deserve a place on your itinerary.

 

 

 

A: In general, there is no admission fee to walk around the workshop grounds, demonstration areas, and showroom. Visitors are free to browse, take photos, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy the café. However, special activities such as celadon workshops or set meals come with separate charges, so it is best to check the latest details with the center before visiting.

 

A: If you simply plan to walk through the workshop, mini museum, and showroom, around 1–2 hours is usually enough. If you intend to join a workshop, paint your own celadon piece, enjoy a meal or dessert, and take photos in the garden, you may want to allow 3–4 hours or even half a day for a relaxed visit.

 

A: Most of the celadon products are designed for practical use, including plates, bowls, tea sets, and other tableware. The clay body and glazes are fired at high temperatures, making them durable for daily use. However, it is still advisable to avoid strong impacts or sudden extreme temperature changes in order to extend the life of the pieces and preserve the beauty of the crackle glaze.

 

A: Yes, very much so. Children can see the entire process of transforming a lump of clay into a finished bowl, cup, or decorative object. There are demonstration areas and, at certain times, hands-on activities where kids can try simple painting or clay work. Parents or guardians should supervise closely around kilns, display shelves, and areas with delicate or high-value pieces.

 

A: Travelers without a private vehicle can hire a yellow songthaew, taxi, or private charter service from Chiang Mai city. Prices are usually negotiated per trip or per day. For groups, it can be more cost-effective to charter a vehicle and combine a visit to Baan Celadon with other attractions in Doi Saket on the same day.

 

A: Popular choices include celadon tea and coffee sets with matching saucers, sets of rice bowls in different sizes, spoon rests and chopstick holders, medium-sized vases with floral or Lanna animal motifs, and small home decor items such as candle holders, lamps, and elephant figurines. Local sweets and menu items from the on-site café also make memorable treats during your visit.

 

A: The most visible difference is the unique jade-green color and crackle glaze typical of celadon, achieved through specific clay, ash glazes, and firing conditions. Another key distinction is that patterns are hand-painted and hand-carved with strong references to Thai and Lanna culture, giving each piece an individual character. In contrast, many mass-produced ceramics rely on printed designs that look identical across thousands of items.

 

A: Baan Celadon is ideal for craft lovers, ceramic collectors, and anyone interested in Lanna culture. It is also a great destination for families wanting educational outings for their children, as well as for travelers seeking a peaceful escape from the city where they can enjoy nature, good food, and high-quality souvenirs all in one place.