Places of Interest in the City

Wat Phra Singh
Dating from 1345 this temple on Sam Lan Road is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each April 13-15 when people bathe the Phra Buddha Singh image. Also on the temple compound is the Lai Kham chapel with exquisite woodcarvings, murals and a scripture repository with striking reliefs.

Wat Suan Dok
This temple on Suthep Road was built in the 14th century and is a favourite spot for photographers, particularly at sunset. Several of the Chedis contain ashes of local royals. One of northern Thailand's largest metal images is the 500 year old bronze Buddha in a secondary chapel.

Wat Chiang Man
This Wat on Ratchaphakhinai Road is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and is thought to date from 1296. It first served as residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai and is noted for a Chedi supported by rows of elephant buttresses and a small, ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeo Khao.

Wat Chedi Luang
The temple on Phra Pokklao Road is the site of an enormous pagoda, originally 85m high, which collapsed during an earthquake in 1545. At one time, Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha image now found in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. One of the most striking architectural features of Wat Chedi Luang is a Naga staircase adorning the main chapel's front porch.

Wat Ku Tao
This Chedi near Chiang Mai Stadium was built in 1613. The structure is adorned with porcelain chips.

Wat Chet Yot
On the Super Highway, north of Doi Suthep - Nimmanhemin Road, this temple dates from 1453. The seven-spired square Chedi was inspired by designs at Buddhagaya, the site of Buddha's enlightenment in northern India over 2,500 years ago and was built by recently returned Lannatai masters from Buddhagaya.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
15km west of the city, this temple, 1,156m above sea level on Suthep Mountain, overlooks the city from its forested backdrop. It is one of Chiang Mai's most important landmarks. Dating from 1383 and has holy Buddha relics in its golden pagoda. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit throughout the year. To reach it one can chose the hard way and climb a steep Naga staircase comprising of around 300 steps or the less energetic may ascend by funicular cars.

Chiang Mai National Museum
The Chiang Mai museum beside Wat Chet Yot contains Lannatai works of art, ancient Buddha images and war weapons. The museum is open daily, except Mondays and Tuesdays, from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00. Castle Rock Sanctuary Located just 30 km from Chiang Mai with lakeside frontage in rural countryside is this newly established sanctuary for the preservation of Asian bears and gibbons. There's lots of space for the kids to run around. A perfect spot to spend the whole day relaxing and learning something more about this country's fauna. Telephone +66+53+350387 for more information.

Places of Interest in Mae Rim

Mae Rim is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, in the enchanting Mae Sa Valley, some 15km (9mi) north of Chiang Mai city.

Orchid Farms
Mountain Orchid and Sai Nam Phung Orchid Nursery, have an amazing variety of all year round blooming orchids. These farms are within the vicinity of Chiang Mai but there are many scattered around the province. Orchids are known the Queens of the Forests.

Wang Kulap (The Rose Garden)
A great variety of roses and other beautiful flowers can be seen on both sides of the stream passing through this garden.

Mae Sa House
The houses private collections of Thai antiques which are on show to the general public.

Mae Sa Falls
The falls cascade through eight different levels in an impressive setting with many gigantic trees and tropical foliage.

Ban Hmong Mae Sa Mai
The village offers an insight into the culture and ways of living of the Hmong hill tribe. Lodging, campfire and food are available for visitors wishing to stay overnight. In addition, souvenirs can be purchased in the village.

Elephant Training Center
At the centre at Mae Sa Mai, 30km north of Chiang Mai city, trained elephants demonstrate their formidable and highly valued forestry skills. There is a small admission fee and a jungle tour is also offered after the show, lasting two and a half hours for which a further fee is charged.

Places of Interest in Chiang Dao

Chiang Dao is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 75km north of Chiang Mai city.

Chiang Dao Caves
These sacred caves, 72km north of Chiang Mai city are filled with Buddha images belonging to Wat Tham Chiang Dao. The upper parts of the caves are electrically illuminated and the deepest recesses can be explored with local guides equipped with oil lanterns.

Places of Interest in Fang

Fang is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 150km (94mi) north of Chiang Mai city.

Doi Ang Khang
Under the patronage of King Bhumiphol, this demonstration site for planting temperate climate vegetables and flowers is 163km from Chiang Mai on Highway 107 (Chiang Mai - Fang Road).

Fang Hot Springs
In a 4 hectare (10 acre) forest clearing at Ban Pin, 11km off Highway 107 before reaching Fang are about 50 hot springs. The water smells of sulphur and temperatures range between 90 and 100 degrees C. Three boil continuously and others spume forth occasionally.

Places of Interest in San Kamphaeng

San Kamphaeng is a village in Chiang Mai Province, some 15km east of Chiang Mai city.

Cotton and Silk Weaving Villages
San Kamphaeng and the surrounding villages are famous for silk as well as cotton, both still woven by local folk on traditional looms and sold in a wide variety of lengths and designs.

Other Cottage Industries
On both sides of the road from Chiang Mai city to San Kamphaeng are factories for silverware, lacquer ware, woodcarvings and other handicraft. Visitors can watch how particular items are made. However, demonstrations of the manufacture of certain handicraft are often part of the marketing. Prices at places that manufacture themselves are not necessarily lower than in ordinary shops. Large traders proclaiming themselves as wholesalers have retail prices that are generally not at all lower than the prices at the factories themselves. Many of the handicrafts sold along the road between San Kamphaeng and Chiang Mai are indeed produced in cottage industry but this is not the case at many of the so-called factories where tourists arrive by the busloads.

Bo Sang Umbrella Making Village
This village, 9km from Chiang Mai city on the road to San Kamphaeng, should not be missed by anybody with an interest in Thai handicrafts. Generations of Bo Sang families have been making umbrellas and parasols for over 200 years. They manufacture silk, cotton and Sa paper parasols and umbrellas which in turn are hand-painted in a variety of floral and animal designs. The Sa paper, which these hill tribe people make, is made by an ancient process using the bark of mulberry trees.

San Kamphaeng Hot Spring
The spring in green surroundings, about 23km from the town of San Kamphaeng has water with a high sulphur content that allegedly possesses curative and restorative properties. Separate male and female bathing facilities are available. It serves as a popular picnic spot for locals and visitors alike.

Roong Aroon Hot Springs
This 16 hectare resort near San Kamphaeng Hot Spring, 35km east of Chiang Mai city, is decorated with many tropical plants. Two boiling hot springs provide mineral water for individual bathrooms and bathtubs. The facilities also include bungalows and a restaurant serving Thai specialities and international cuisine.

Places of Interest in Mae Klang Falls

The Mae Klang Falls, on the Chiang Mai - Hod Rd, 58km from Chiang Mai city, are large falls in scenic surroundings near the Doi Inthanont National Park. The spot is popular for picnics a photographers paradise.

Doi Inthanont National Park
The Park beyond Mae Klang Falls is one of Thailand's most famous and well equipped for visitors. It has an area of 1,005sqkm. It is named after Doi Inthanont, Thailand's highest mountain (2,565m) and encompasses several Karen and Meo hill tribe villages. The natural scenery is spectacular and areas above 1,800m are covered with lichens and are rich in wild orchids. Shooting, fishing or damaging vegetation is strictly forbidden. The more scenic spots are around the Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Pim waterfalls.

Wachirathan Falls
They can be viewed on the route to Inthanont Mountain, a 30min drive from Mae Klang Falls.

Siriphum Falls
They are on the same route about an hour's drive from Mae Klang Falls.

Mae Ya Falls
These falls, 12km from Chom Thong market, can be reached by local mini-bus.

Borichinda Cave
A 10min drive from Mae Klang Falls brings you near this cave after which one must walk for 1 to 2 hours. Due to its massive gaping entrance the cave is not dark.

Ob Luang
Ob Luang is a steep river valley amidst scenic mountains and teak forests. 88km from Chiang Mai city on the Chiang Mai - Mae Sariang Rd it's a popular tourist destination.

Attractions to the West

Tribal Research Institute
The Institute on the Chiang Mai University campus, 5km from the city, has a permanent exhibition of artifacts. It is open is open Mon-Fri 8:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:30.

Chiang Mai Arboretum
This attractively landscaped garden near Chiang Mai University, 6km from the city, contains many kinds of tropical trees and flowers.

Chiang Mai Zoo
Occupying the lower forested slopes of Suthep Mountain the zoological gardens, next to the Chiang Mai Arboretum, are 6km from town. The small display has a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds.

Huai Kaeo Falls
The area around the falls near Chiang Mai Zoo, 7km from the city, is another popular spot for picnickers.

Khruba Sivichai Monument
7km from the city, the Khruba Sivichai monument was built near the Huai Kaeo Falls, commemorating Khruba Sivichai who initiated the plan to construct a hillside road to the monastery on Suthep Mountain.

Phu Phing Palace
Phu Phing palace on Doi Buak Ha, 7km further down the road passing Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, was built in 1962. The landscaped grounds are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, unless members of the Thai Royal family are staying there at that time.

Doi Pui Tribal Village
The Meo tribal village, some 4km from Phu Phing Palace, offers glimpses of modern tribal life.

Phu Dam (Black Cliff)
This scenic spot near Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a popular picnic spot.