Discover Asia's magical floating markets

Discover Asia's magical floating markets - Floating markets are one of Asia's biggest tourist magnets. These unique trading points offer visitors a range of local produce, such as fruit, vegetables, and typical dishes from the region or traditional crafts, all while traveling along in a boat!

The majority of these floating markets are found in Thailand, but Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka also offer their fair share. They have become local landmarks and welcome visitors from around the world year after year.

Check out the gallery to see where you can find Asia's most magical floating markets!

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Damnoen Saduak, Thailand - Floating markets are one of Thailand's main attractions, and there are many beautiful ones surrounding Bangkok. The Damnoen Saduak floating market lies about 100 km from Bangkok and is popular with tourists.

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Damnoen Saduak, Thailand - Make your way through the waters in a traditional Thai boat and sample local exotic produce, such as fruit, drink and traditional food.

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Damnoen Saduak, Thailand - There are also several shops that sell fabrics, clothes, sculptures, and other traditional objects. You'll be able to buy a colorful range of goods while enjoying a beautiful boat ride.

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Aberdeen Floating Village, Hong Kong - Near Aberdeen, Hong Kong, is a floating village that enchants tourists from around the world. You can take a boat ride and enjoy the stunning views.

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Aberdeen Floating Village, Hong Kong - There are several floating restaurants serving local dishes featuring fish and seafood.

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Aberdeen Floating Village, Hong Kong - Many of the local fishermen live in floating houses here. The quaint buoyant homes contrast strongly with the towering skyscrapers behind.

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Amphawa Floating Market, Thailand - About 90 km outside Thailand's capital city is the popular Amphawa floating market.

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Amphawa Floating Market, Thailand - You'll see typical Thai houses, taste a wide range of local fruits, vegetables, and desserts, and most likely buy some wonderful souvenirs.

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Amphawa Floating Market, Thailand - An afternoon here will leave you with memories to last a lifetime; visiting the local shops and stalls, and experiencing Thai culture and traditions up close is truly unique.

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Khlong Lat Mayom, Thailand - This market is much smaller than Amphawa and Damoen Saduak but the nearby restaurants offer a wide range of mouth-watering cuisine to visitors looking for tastier tourism!

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Khlong Lat Mayom, Thailand - There are also all sorts of local fruits, spices, and vegetables on sale.

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Khlong Lat Mayom, Thailand - The boats also have an original design. Khlong Lat Mayom is another characteristically Thai market that is not too far from Bangkok.

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Lok Baintan, Indonesia - Lok Baintan floating market in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, is situated on the Martapura River near Banjarmasin.

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Lok Baintan, Indonesia - You'll find hundreds of boats here, all stuffed with farming produce and typically Indonesian food including fruit, vegetables, juices, and meat!

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Lok Baintan, Indonesia - A 500-year-old ritual happens here at sunset, when over 100 boats gather together on the waters to witness the closing of the day.

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Taling Chan, Thailand - This small floating market stays open all day. It is another that lies close to Bangkok and showcases a range of traditional Thai gastronomy. Watch out for its peculiar boats!

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Taling Chan, Thailand - The houses here are also very typically Thai and have a diverse range of objects for sale.

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Taling Chan, Thailand - Market sellers dress in traditional costume and offer a range of products to tourists.

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Phong Dien, Vietnam - On the delta of the Mekong River is the enchanting floating market of Phong Dien, a cluster of traditional boats selling exotic local produce.

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Phong Dien, Vietnam - A few kilometers from the mouth of the Hua river, commercial activity is frantic during the early hours of the morning at Phong Dien. Typical fruit, vegetables, and other food are the prize products for sale.

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Phong Dien, Vietnam - The market sellers here also dress in traditional costume and wear typical Vietnamese hats.

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Floating Market, Dal Lake, India - This lake near Kashmir is known for its collection of floating wooden Victorian houses and the market, which can be reached by boat.

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Floating Market, Dal Lake, India - Travel on traditional boats across the lake and take in the fresh natural beauty of the area. There are a wide range of typical dishes for you to try as you go!

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Floating Market, Dal Lake, India - You'll be able to explore Nehru Park, Kabutar Khana, Char Chinari island, other floating islands and artisan stalls selling typical products from India.

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Pettah Floating Market, Sri Lanka - In the neighborhood of Bastian Mawatha in capital city Colombo, there are roughly 90 stalls selling typical food and crafts made by local artisans.

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Pettah Floating Market, Sri Lanka - This market is popular with both locals and visitors alike.

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Pettah Floating Market, Sri Lanka - Typical Sri Lankan food is on offer in abundance at the Pettah Floating Market, as well as beautiful local crafts.

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Inle Lake, Myanmar - Two hundred cities and villages cluster on the shores of this beautiful lake, where floating commerce is very much the order of the day! The market here moves from one area to the next every five days.

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Inle Lake, Myanmar - People make their daily purchases here, right on the water. Contrary to most of the other floating markets, this one is not primarily aimed at tourists.

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Inle Lake, Myanmar - Local inhabitants travel around the lake in traditional wooden canoes. The area boasts spectacular natural landscapes that win over visitors from all corners of the planet.

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Discover Asia's magical floating markets

Most of these floating markets are found in Thailand, but there is a range of equally enchanting places spread across the lakes and rivers of Asia

01/05/18 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Markets

Markets are one of the biggest tourist magnets, wherever you go in the world. While some are specifically designed to attract tourists, others are still very much a local affair. They all offer a spectacular range of goods, whether fruit and vegetables, typical dishes, or traditional crafts. The markets in this gallery are unique for their location: they all float on water!

The majority of these floating trading centers are found in Thailand, but Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka also offer their fair share.

Check out the gallery to see where you can find Asia's most magical floating markets!