Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI

Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique indigenous cultural identity. Founded by King Mengrai the Great as the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom by merging the various city states in the region in 1296. Today Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism centre of Northern Thailand.

About 700 kilometres from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is situated on the Mae Ping River basin some 310 metres above sea level. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometres. The terrain is mainly jungles and mountains, parts of which are within national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills.

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Wat Phra That Doi Kham


This temple is situated in Tambon Mae Hia, Amphoe Mueang. It is a beautiful temple situated on a lush mountainside near Chiang Mai Town. 'Wat Phra That' refers to the fact that this temple houses relics of the Buddha, and 'Doi Kham' means 'Golden Mountain’. The sacred temple was built more than 1300 years ago, in 687 A.D. It had been abandoned, but in 1966 villagers discovered a hidden chamber containing many ancient Buddha images of various sizes, and this find prompted a revitalization.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep


This temple is Chiang Mai's most important and visible landmark, and overlooks the city from its forested mountain backdrop. It is 15 kilometres from town, 3,520 feet above sea level, and dates from 1383. The temple is approached on foot by climbing a steep staircase comprising 290 steps. The less energetic may ascend by funicular rail cars. The temple's golden pagoda contains holy Buddha relics, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year.

Wat Chedi Luang


Located on Phra Pokklao Road, this temple is the site of an enormous pagoda, originally 280 feet high, and which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. At one time, Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha image now enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. One of the temple's most striking architectural feature is a magnificent Naga (mythical serpent) staircase which adorns the chapel's front porch.

Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong


This temple is 58 kilometres from Chiang Mai and dates from the mid-1400s. The temple houses a collection of bronze Buddha images, and the secondary chapel contains a holy Buddha relic.

San Kamphaeng Hot Springs

This is located 36 kilometres from town amid natural surroundings of trees and verdant hills. The water has a high sulphur content and possesses curative and restorative properties. Accommodation, a swimming pool, dining facilities and segregated mineral bathing rooms are available. Nearby is Rung Arun Hot Spring Resort, which offers bungalows, mineral baths and a sumptuous park setting. Public transport operates from Chang Phuak bus terminal, get off at San Kamphaeng, and then ride a chartered local truck (Song Thaeo). Call 0 5392 9077, 0 5392 9099 for more information or visit www.skp-hotsprings.com

Wat Chiang Man


Located on Ratchapkkhinai Road, this is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was the residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai, and is noteworthy for a Chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses and small ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeo Khao.

Wat Suan Dok


Located on Suthep Road, this temple was built in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch's pleasure gardens and is a favourite spot for photographers particularly for striking sunsets. Several of the white Chedis (pagodas) contain ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family The 500-year-old bronze Buddha image in a secondary chapel is one of Thailand's largest metal images.

Doi Inthanon National Park


Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain and towers 2,565 metres above sea level. Travel 58 kilometres west of Chiang Mai via Highway 107, by regular coach to Amphoe Chom Thong and thence by minibus to the peak for a further distance of 48 kilometres.

Wat Phra Sing


Located on Sam Lan Road, this lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each April 13-15 when people bathe the revered Phra Phutthasihing Buddha image. The temple compound includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarvings and northern-style murals, and a magnificent scriptural repository with striking bas relief.

Wat Chet Yot


Located on Super Highway, north of the Huai Kaeo Nimmanhemin Roads intersection. This temple dates from 1458. The seven spired square Chedi was inspired by designs at Bodhagaya, the site of the Buddha's Enlightenment in north India over 2,500 years ago, and was built by Lanna Thai architects after visiting the holy site.

San Kamphaeng Cotton & Silk Weaving Village
This equally famous village is located 13 kilometres from town. The village is the major source of all Thai silk and cotton produced in Chiang Mai. The fabrics are woven by local folk on traditional wooden looms, and are sold in a wide variety of plain lengths, plaids, brocades, stripes, prints and checks.

Bo Sang Umbrella / Parasol Village


The world - famous village is 9 kilometres from town, along a road lined with handicraft-producing factories. In genuine cottage industries, young women manufacture silk and cotton umbrellas and paper parasols which are subsequently hand painted in various animal and floral designs. Generations of Bo Sang families have been engaged in umbrella and parasol making for more than 200 years .

Wat Ketkaram


Wat Ketkaram is an ancient temple located on the East Side of the Mae Ping River. According to the chronological records, Wat Ketkaram was built in 1428 during which time (between 1411-1442) when Phra Jao Sam Fang Kean, the king of Mang Rai dynasty was ruling the region.

Chiang Mai Zoo
Situated next to Huai Kaew Arboretum at the foot of the mountain where Phra That Doi Suthep is located, the zoo houses a pair of cuddly Pandas on loan from China. Inside the zoo, there are over 200 types of Asian and African mammals and birds for visitors to observe. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., the admission fee for an adult is 100 baht and a child is 20 baht. There are excellent facilities for tourists with restaurants and a camping site. Advance booking is required for large groups. Contact: tel. 0-5322-1179, 0-5322-22

Chiang Mai Night Safari
Chiang Mai Night Safari was established as evening and night tourist attraction. It is the first night safari in Thailand. Chiang Mai Night Safari is committed to be a world class destination and is constantly upgrading to international tourism standard. Exhibition zone is divided in three main areas: Savanna Safari, Predator Prowl and Jaguar Trail.

Fang Hot Springs
Located at Ban Pin, also 163 kilometres north of Chiang Mai provincial capital, 50 hot springs occupy a 10-acre forest setting. Three of the springs boil continuously with a strong smell of sulphur. Water temperatures at the springs range from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius .

Doi Ang Khang
This royal agricultural station situated among beautiful mountainous scenery, provincial capital, 163 kilometres north of Chiang Mai, is a demonstration site for planting and researching flowering plants, temperate fruit trees, vegetable and other crops under the patronage of his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Chiang Dao Caves
Tham Chiang Dao is a charming cave located in Amphoe Chiang Dao. It is situated 72 kilometres from Chiang Mai town, turn left at the entrance route and proceed for 5 kilometres on an asphalt road. Convenient parking is available. Climb a staircase with a zinc roof to reach the cave. The lovely cave greets visitors with various kinds of fish swimming in a stream in front of the cave.

Resorts
Several picturesque resorts, with accommodation and dinning facilities, offer bucolic rural living on the Mae Rim - Samoeng route and include Mae Sa Valley Resort and Erawan Resort, and the Samoeng - Hang Dong route which includes Lanna Resort, Krisadadoi Resort and Suan Bua Resort. Some occupy hillsides, others secluded valleys.

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
This national botanic garden is located at Km.12 of Mae Rim-Samoeng route and covers an area of 560 acres. It was established in April 1992 in order to gather, to conserve, as well as to strengthen studies and research on Thai plants. More than 700 species of plants with the emphasis on Thai Flora have been collected.

Elephant Camps


There are riverside enclaves north of Chiang Mai which feature a daily show of elephants at work every morning. These include Mae Taman, Mae Taeng and Chiang Dao Elephant Camps on Route No. 107, and Pong Yang and Mae Sa Elephant Camps on Route No. 1096 (Mae Rim - Samoeng).

Mae Sa Waterfall
This 8-tiered waterfall is 26 kilometres from town and occupies a natural setting among gigantic towering trees.

Orchid & Butterfly Farms
Major nurseries are located along Mae Rim - Samoeng route (Road No. 1096). These farms include Sia Nam Phung, Mountain Orchid, and Mae Ram Orchid. Each provides opportunities for visitors to admire these exotic year-round blooms. Certain orchid farms also have special butterfly enclosures where exotic species can be seen in their natural environment.

Hilltribe Museum
Located on Chotana Road, this contains a permanent exhibition of northern hilltribes. The museum is open daily from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.

Earthenware & Lacquerware Shops
These are clustered together, some 4 kilometres from town, on the Chiang Mai - Hang Dong Road.

Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
Located on the road to Chom Thong, the centre stages Lanna Thai cultural Performances with a Khan Tok Dinner. Objects d'art are displayed.

Doi Pui Tribal Village
This Meo tribal village is some 4 kilometres from the Phu Phing Palace, and offers vignettes of modern tribal life.

Phu Phing Palace
This is located on the same road, beyond Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, 22 kilometres from town. The royal winter palace was built in 1962. The lavishly landscaped gardens and grounds are open to the general public on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays and official holidays, when the Thai royal family is not in residence.

Khruba Siwichai Monument
This is situated at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain. The monument honours the man whose followers built the first motor road to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in 1935.

Huai Kaeo Falls
Located near the Chiang Mai Zoo, the cascade provides a delightful ambiance for relaxation and picnics.