As amazing as it sounds, floating markets are a common yet extraordinary sight in Asia only. Asian countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and India make for a good base for customers who want to shop on not just land but water as well!
Here’s your chance to be afloat while on a shopping spree for essentials and myriad souvenirs is on the line here. Fact- Floating markets were discovered/ used when water transport was the only known means for transportation (centuries-old practice, therefore). Today, these markets operate to attract tourist attention and why wouldn’t they? Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Well, the only drawback here is that these markets open at four in the morning!
6 Amazing Floating Markets Around The World
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1. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market’ in Ratchaburi, Thailand, should be your go-to place for a wonderful getaway. It’s amazing around here as it’s also quite close to Bangkok! Floating markets in Thailand still work in the traditional and old-fashioned way and hence demand you to wake up super early. However, the amount of crowd that you’re going to face in the markets would clearly denote that anything for an amazing view. Both Thai and Western tourists frequent this place. Vendors sell and promote local and authentic things here!
2. Lok Baintan Floating Market, Banjarmasin, Indone
Located in Banjar Regency in the Indonesian part of Borneo (South Kalimantan), Lok Baintan Market is a treat indeed! It’s easy to reach here from central Banjarmasin by a riverboat (takes about an hour). A pivotal place in the city, Baintan is rather a major tourist attraction. The floating market reflects the Banjar culture. Meet other buyers and sellers doing the same. Intriguing, right?!
3. Dal Lake Floating Market, Srinagar, India
Kashmir’s Dal Lake is extremely popular throughout the world for its aesthetic beauty and stupendous shikaras that grace the lake in the glistening city. However, floating markets aren’t something that you might have heard before. Well, surprise, surprise! The floating markets in Srinagar are truly one of a kind. Something on similar lines could be found in the backwaters of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, and that’s it. It was first renowned to the world in 1960 when a Japanese photographer featured it in a tourist guide.
4. Floating Markets in the Solomon Islands
Though these markets might not appear or sound similar to the ones that we have talked about before and might further do, they still hold a special place in the hearts of the tourists for myriad other reasons. The Solomon Islands are located North East of Australia, east of Papua New Guinea, and the floating markets in the clean water are indeed a sight to behold. Furthermore, rich coral reefs in the water help this market attract a lot of tourists than anywhere else around the world!
5. Inle Lake Floating Market, Nyaungshwe, Myanmar
This market is indeed a place that’s vocal for locals. Locally made goods are sold here. Basic products such as tools, carvings, and other ornamental objects, textiles, and cheroots are sold on various boats. The market also sells things of daily use and functions every day. This floating market offers things of basic needs and its location keeps shifting every day. The markets are basically held in these five places on the lake-Nyaungshwe, Heho, Taunggyi, Minethauk, and Shwenyaung. The markets are usually held in the lake itself, serving and attracting various tourists from all across.
6. Mekong Delta Floating Market, Vietnam
The Mekong Delta floating markets are known for the Phung Hiep and the Cai Be markets. You can easily visit the Cai Be floating market on motorized boats and be patrons to the trading business. You can buy goods, fruits, and other such commodities. The biggest and most-visited floating market in the Delta region is Phung Hiep. You have to stay in the Mekong Delta area, in order to wake up early and visit the floating markets. Trust us, it’s gonna be worth it!
So, which one was your favorite?
