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DOI SUTHEP ROUTE (Road
1004)
Tribal Research
Institute
Chiang Mai University campus
This contains a permanent cultural
exhibition of northern hilltribes. The centre is
open, Monday through Friday, from 8.30 AM until
noon, and from 1.00 to 4.30 PM.
Chiang Mai Arboreum
next to Chiang Mai University
The attractively landscaped garden contains
many kinds of tropical trees and lovely flowers.
 Chiang
Mai Zoo
next to the Chiang Mai Arboreum
This artfully landscaped complex occupies the
lower forested slopes of Suthep mountain, and
contains a fascinating collection of Asian and
African mammals and birds.
Huai
Kaew Falls
beside Chiang Mai Zoo
The cascade provides a delightful ambiance for
relaxation and picnics.
Kruba Sriwichai
Monument
foot of Suthep Mountain
This monument honours the man whose followers
built the first motor road to Wat Phra That Doi
Suthep in 1935.
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. Wat Phra That Doi
Suthep 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 Naga
staircase comprising 290 steps. The less
energetic may ascend by funicular railcars. The
temple's golden pagoda contains holy Buddha
relics, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all
over the world throughout the year. The temple
compound offers an exhilarating view of Chiang
Mai city and surrounding countryside.
Phu
Phing Palace
This is located on the same road, beyond Wat Phra
That Doi Suthep, on Doi Buak Ha, 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 Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays, and official holidays,
when the Thai royal family is not in residence.
Doi
Pui Tribal Village
This Meo tribal village is some 4 kilometres from
the Phu Phing Palace, and offers vignettes of
modern tribal life.
Pha Dam (Black
Cliff)
This area near Wat Phra That Doi Suthep comprises
a scenic spot ideal for picnics.
WESTERN
ROUTE
(Highway 108 & Road 1009)
Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
Located on the road to Chom Thong, the centre
stages Lanna Thai cultural performances with a
Khantoke Dinner. Objets d'art are displayed.
Earthenware &
Lacquerware Shops
These are clustered together, some 4 kilometres
from town, on the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Road.
Wat Phra That Si
Chum 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.
Mae Klang Waterfall
Chiang Mai's most photographed waterfall lies
some 58 kilometres west of the city at the foot
of Doi Inthanon Mountain, and provides a
picturesque setting for picnics and relaxation.
Borichinda Cave
Visiting the cave, which provides a pleasant
setting for picnics, entails a 10-minute drive
and a walk of some 2 hours from the Mae Klang
Waterfall.
Doi Inthanon
National Park
The 1,005-square-kilometre park covers Thailand's
highest mountain (2,565 metros). The lovely
Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Pan waterfalls
share the mountain with Meo and Karen hilltribe
settlements. Forest above 1,800 metres is covered
with lichens and wild orchids.
Mae Yae Waterfall
This is located 12 kilometres from Chom Thong
market and is best visited by local mini-bus.
Ob Luang Gorge
This picturesque gorge is 88 kilometres from
Chiang Mai provincial capital, and is framed by
teak forests and mountains.
NORTHERN ROUTE
(Highway 107 & Road 1096)
Lanna Golf Course
This public 18-hole golf course is located at
Nong Hoi, some 4 kilometres from town. The course
is open daily from 6.00 AM until 7.00 PM. Golf
club rentals and caddy services are available.
Chiang Mai Green
Valley Golf Course
This is located some 16 kilometres from town
along the same road, and is open to the public.
Orchid &
Butterfly Farms
Major nurseries in the Mae Sa Valley include the
Mountain Orchid, Mae Rim Orchid and Sai Nam Phung
Orchid complexes. Each provide opportunities for
visitors to admire these exotic year-round
blooms. Certain orchid farms also have special
butterfly enclosures wherein exotic
species can be seen in their natural environment.
Mae Sa Waterfall
This 8-tiered waterfall is 26 kilometres from
town and occupies a natural setting among
gigantic, towering trees.
Elephant Training
Centres
Each morning, at Km 10 on the Mae Rim-Samoeng
route, trained elephants demonstrate their
formidable and highly valued forestry skills from
9.30 until 11.00 AM, at the Mae Sa Elephant
Training Centre. The centre is some 30 kilometres
from town. Admission is 80 baht per person. A
jungle tour on elephant back, lasting more than
two hours through adjacent forests, is offered
after the show and costs 250 baht per person.
Elephants can also be seen at the Pong Yaeng
Elephant Centre at KM 19 on the same route.
Resorts
Several picturesque resorts, with accommodation
and dining facilities, offer bucolic rural living
on the Mae Rim-Samoeng route (1096) and include
Mae Sa Valley Resort and Erawan Resort, and the
Samoeng-Hang Dong route (1239) which includes
Lanna Resort, Krisadadoi Resort and Suan Bua
Resort. Some occupy hillsides, others secluded
valleys.
Taeng
Dao Elephant Camp
This riverside enclave, at KM 56 on Highway 107,
features daily shows of elephants at work, from
9.00 AM until 10.00 AM, and from 10.00 AM until
11.00 AM, and offers elephant rides, and
opportunities for bucolic river-rafting through
largely
pristine and tranquil forests, or jungle treks to
neighbouring hilltribe settlements.
Chiang Dao Caves
Sacred Buddha images occupy the caves of Wat Tham
Chiang Dao at KM 72 on Highway 107. Caves are
illuminated by electric lights. Deepest recesses
can be explored with local guides.
Doi Ang Khang
This royal agricultural station, 163 kilometres
north of Chiang Mai provincial capital, is a
demonstration site for planting and researching
flowering plants, temperate fruit trees,
vegetables and other crops, and enjoys the
patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
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 boil
continuously with a string smell of sulphur.
Water
temperatures at the springs range from 90 to 100
degrees Celsius.
EASTERN ROUTE (Road
101)
Bor
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 Bor Sang families
have been engaged in umbrella and parasol making
for more than 200 years.
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.
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 water bathing rooms are
available. Accommodation can be booked by
contacting the Sam Kamphaeng Hot Spring
Co-operative Village, Chiang Mai 50130 or Tel:
01-510-0418. |
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