CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai is Thailand's principal northern province. It is some 700 kilometers north of Bangkok and covers and area of some 20,000 square kilometres.
Chiang Mai was the capital of Lanna Thai, The first independent Thai Kingdom within the fabled Golden Triangle. It was found in 1296 and flourished as a major religious, cultural and trading center until 1556 when a Burmese invasion reduced it to a vassal state. The Burmese were expelled in 1785, whereupon Lanna once again became part of Thailand.
Mountains surrounding the Chiang Mai city form lower extremities of Himalayan foothills and host several diverse hill tribes. Scenic waterfalls, rivers, caves, elephant, cultivated orchards and plantations adorn mountain that invite detailed exploration as a individual or as part of a organized party.
The people of Chiang Mai enjoy one of the most distinctive cultural identities in the whole of Thailand. They have their own dialect, their own customs, their own architectural tradition, their own cuisine and wide range of indigenous handicrafts. Hill tribes also lend a great deal of character and color to the crisply beautiful mountainous landscape that surounds Chiang Mai.

City Attractions

Wats

Wat Phra Sing (ÇÑ´¾ÃÐÊÔ§Ëì) Located on Sam Lan Road, this temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities held each year around 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 Suan Dok (ÇÑ´Êǹ´Í¡) Located on Suthep Road, temple was built in a 14th century Lanna monarchs pleasure gardens and is a favorite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunsets. Several of the white chedis 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.

Wat Chiang Man (ÇÑ´àªÕ§ÁÑè¹) Located on Ratchaphakkinai 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 a small ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeo Khao.

Wat Ku Tao (ÇÑ´¡ÙèàµéÒ) This temple is near the Chiang Mai Stadium. It is noteworthy for an unusual bulbous pagoda. The structure is decorated with colorful porcelain chips and is believed to represent five Buddhist monks alms bowls which symbolize five Lord Buddhas.

Wat Chedl Luang (ÇѴ਴ÕÂìËÅǧ) Located on Phrapokklao 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 Wat Chedi Luang’s most striking architectural features is a magnificent Naga staircase adorns the chapels front porch.

Wat Chat Yet (ÇÑ´à¨ç´ÂÍ´) Located on Super Highway, north of the Hew Kayo Nimmanhemin Roads intersection. This temple dates from 1458 . The seven-spired square chedi was inspired by designs at Bodhagaya, the site of the Buddha Enlightenment in north India over 2,500 years ago, and was built by Lanna Thai architects after visiting the holy site.

Wat U-Mong (ÇÑ´ÍØâÁ§¤ì) Located on Suthep Road in a bucolic forest setting, this delightful meditation temple is completely different from Chiang Maids other major temples. It was built in 1269. The ancient chedi is of particular interest.

Chiang Mai-Doi Suthep Route (Road No.1004) really in town

Chiang Mai Arboretum (ÊèǹÃØ¡¢ªÒµÔËéÇÂá¡éÇ) This is next to Chiang Mai University. The attractively landscaped garden contains many kinds of tropical trees and lovely flowers.

Chiang Mai Zoo (ÊǹÊѵÇìàªÕ§ãËÁè) Next to the Chiang Mai Arboretum, this artfully landscaped complex occupies the lower forested slopes of Doi Suthep mountain, and contains a fascinating collection of Asian and African mammals and birds. As well as a small dis[lay of fish. It is possible to drive around the park but it is a good hike to go through the whole thing by foot.

Kruba Srisichai Monument (͹ØÊÒÇÃÕÂì¤ÃÙºÒÈÃÕÇÔªÑÂ) This is situated at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain. The monument honors the man whose followers built the first motor road to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in 1935

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (ÇÑ´¾ÃиҵشÍÂÊØà·¾) 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 railcars. The temple’s golden pagoda contains holy Buddha relics, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year.

Phu Phing Palace (¾ÃеÓ˹ѡÀÙ¾Ô§¤ìÃÒª¹ÔàÇȹì) 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.

Doi Pui Tribal Village (ËÁÙèºéÒ¹ªÒÇà¢Òà¼èÒáÁéÇ´Í»ØÂ) This Meo tribal village is some 4 kilometres from the Phu Phing Palace, and offers vignettes of modern tourist based tribal life.

Hual Kaeo Falls (¹éÓµ¡ËéÇÂá¡éÇ) Located near the Chiang Mai Zoo. the cascade provides a delightful ambiance for relaxation and picnics.

Chiang Mai National Museum (¾Ô¾Ô¸Àѳ±ÊÒ¹áË觪ҵÔàªÕ§ãËÁè) This is located beside Wat Chet Yot. The museum houses a collection of Lanna works of art, ancient Buddha images, and war weapons. It is open daily, except Mondays, Tuesdays and official holidays, from 9.00 a.m. until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00 p.m.

Out-of-city Attractions

Tribal Research center (ÈÙ¹ÂìÇԨѪÒÇà¢Ò) Located in the Chiang Mai University Campus, the contains a permanent cultural exhibition of northern hill tribes. The center is open, Monday through Friday, from 8.30 a.m. until noon, and from 1.00 to 4.30 p.m.
Chiang Mai-Lamphun Route (Highway No. 106)
Wiang Kum Dam (àÇÕ§¡ØÁ¡ÒÁ) An ancient town founded by King Mengrai is located 4 kilometres on Chiang Mai-Lamphun route in the area of Amphor Saraphi. The main historical remains are found in Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham, Wat Noi and Wat Kum Kam.

Western Route (highway No. 1009)

Chiang Mai Cultural center (ÈÙ¹ÂìÇѲ¹¸ÃÃÁàªÕ§ãËÁè) Located on the road to Chom Thong, the center stages Lanna Thai cultural performances with a Khan Tok Dinner. Objects d’art are displayed.
Wat Phra That SI Chom Thong (ÇÑ´¾ÃиҵØÈÃÕ¨ÍÁ·Í§) 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.
Doi Inthanon National Park (ÍØ·ÂÒ¹áË觪ҵԴÍÂÍÔ¹·¹¹·ì) Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest mountain and towers 2,565 meters above sea level. Travel 58 kilometers west of Chiang Mai via Highway 107, by regular coach to Amphor Chom Thong and thence by minibus to the the peak for a further distance of 48 kilometres.
Complex mountain ranges and a mild climate characterize an area with moist and dense summit forest which is the source of important tributaries of the Mae Ping River, one of northern Thailand’s major waterways. Various streams descend, forming beautiful waterfalls throughout the park. These include the Siriphum, Vajirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Klang, and, the largest of all, Mae Ya waterfalls. Meo and Karen hill tribes inhabit the park.
Visiting the Doi Inthanon National Park is possible throughout the year. The best period for viewing waterfalls is May through November. The best period for viewing wild flowers is December through February. The best period for ornithologists is November through March.
For accommodation, contact the national park office at Km. 31. Food are available at local shops at km.31

Ban Ral Phal Ngam (ºéÒ¹äÃèä¼è§ÒÁ) This is a village where famous cotton cloth woven in the lod style has been long produced. At present the weavers central gathering is the home of the late National artist, Pa (aunt) Sang

De Bansit, who had transferred her knowledge on the weaving process to other villagers. The village is located on the left of Chiang Mai-Hot between Km. 68-69, about 4 kilometres off the main road.
Op Luang (ÍͺËÅǧ) This picturesque gorge is 105 kilometers from Chiang Mai provincial capital, and is framed by teak forests and mountains.

Northern Route (Road No. 1096 off Highway No. 107)
Orchid & Butterfly Farms (Êèǹ¡ÅéÇÂäÁéáÅÐÊǹ¼ÕàÊ×éÍ) Major nurseries is located along Mae Rim-Samoeng route (Road No. 1096). These farms include Sai Nam Phung, Mountain Orchid, and Mae Ram Orchid. Each provide opportunities for visitors admire these exotic year-round blooms. Certain orchid farms also have special butterfly enclosures where in exotic species can be seen in their natural environment.
Mae Sa snake Farm (¿ÒÃìÁ§ÙáÁèÊÒ) is situated at Km. 3 of Mae Rim-Samoeng Road. The farm displays snakes from all over Thailand and studies snake breeding as well. Snake shows and an extraction of venom form snakes are provided to visitors.
Mae Sa House Private Collection (áÁèÊÒàÎÒÊìä»ÃàÇ·¤ÍÅàŤªÑè¹) Located at Km. 7, this is a rare place for private collection of Thai antiques, a special experience for collectors.
Mae Sa Waterfall (¹éÓµ¡áÁèÊÒ) This 8-tiered waterfall is 26 kilometers from town and occupies a natural setting among gigantic towering trees.
Elephant Training Centers (ÈÙ¹ÂìáÊ´§áÅн֡ªéÒ§) Each morning, at Km. 10 on Mae Rim-Samoeng route, some 30 kilometres from town, trained elephants demonstrate their formidable and highly-valued forestry skills from 9.30 until 11.00 am, at the Mae Sa Elephant Training center. A Jungle tour on elephant

back, lasting more than two hours through adjacent forests, is offered after the show. Elephants at work can also be seen at the Pong Yaeng Elephant center at Km. 19 on the same route.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (Êǹ¾Ä¡ÉÈÒʵÃìÊÁà´ç¨¾Ãйҧà¨éÒÊÔÃÔ¡ÔµÔì) 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.
Resorts Several picturesque resorts, with accommodation and dining facilities, offer bucolic rural living on the Mae Rim-Samoeng route and include Mae Sa Valley Resort and Erawan Resort, and the Samoeng-Hong Dong route which includes Lanna Resort, Krisadadoi Resort and Suan Bua Resort. Some occupy hillsides, others secluded valleys.
Taeng Dao Elephant Camp (»Ò§ªéҧᵧ´ÒÇ) This riverside enclave, at km. 56 on Highway No. 107, features daily shows of elephants at work, from 9.00 a.m. and offers elephant rides, and opportunities for river-rafting through largely pristine and tranquil forests, or jungle treks to neighboring hill tribe settlements.
Chlang Dao Caves (éÓàªÕ§´ÒÇ) 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. Chiang Dao Cave is the starting point to climb up to the peak of Chiang Dao mountain.
Doi Ang Khang (´ÍÂÍèÒ§¢Ò§) 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, vegetables and other crops under the patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Fang Hot Springs (ºè͹éÓÃé͹½Ò§) Located at Ban Pin, aiso 163 kilometres north of Chiang Mai provincial capital, 50 hot springs occ;upy 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 No. 101)
Bo Sang Umbrella/Parasol Village (ËÁÙèºéÒ¹·ÓÃèÁºèÍÊÃéÒ§) 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.
San Kamphaeng Cotton & Silk Weaving Village (ËÁÙèºéÒ¹·Í¼éÒÊѹ¡Óᾧ) 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 (¹éÓ¾ØÃé͹Êѹ¡Óᾧ) This is located 36 kilometres from town amid natural surroundings of trees and verdant hills. The water has a high suiphur content and possesses curative properties. Accommodation, a swimming pool, dining facilities and segregated mineral water bathing rooms are available.
Meo, Lisu, Yao, Akha, Lawa and Karen hill tribes live throughout northern Thailad’s mountains. They share animism beliefs and honor numerous forest and guardian spirits. Each tribe has distinctive ceremonial attire, courtship

rituals, games, dances, agricultural customs, puberty rites, languages or dialects, aesthetic values and hygienic habits.
Popular ‘Jungle Treks’, lasting from 2 to 7 days, take visitors through forested mountains and high valleys and meadows, and include visit to remoter high-altitude hill tribe settlements for overnight stays. The best guides are hill tribe youths who customarily speak English, Thai and at least three tribal dialects.
Treks commonly feature travel by foot, sometimes by boat, elephant-back, horse-back or jeep, frequently a combination of two or three modes of transportation.
Prospective trekkers are advised to shop around companies offering such tours for the best conditions. All treks must be registered with the Tourist Police. This is done for the trekkers protection. Avoid companies that do not abide by this law. Visitors are welcome to enquire from the Tourist Police to confirm which tour companies have negative or bad reputations.
Also, avoid narcotics, essentially everything from soft drugs such as marijuana to hard drugs such as opium and heroin both during and at hill tribe villages. There are severe penalties for such usage.
Wear sensible clothing to protect your limbs and sleep under a mosquito net at night. Malaria is a real threat, and sensible precautions should be taken to avoid it.
Visitors should remember to
a) Respect hill tribe beliefs and religious symbols and structures.
b) Dress modestly. hill tribe people are generally modest. Inappropriate attire may offend them.
c) Ask permission before photographing someone. Some villages do not permit photography.

d) Avoid trading western medicines and articles of clothing. Contribution to their welfare, items such as pens, paper, needles, thread, cloth and material used for embroidery are perfectly acceptable.
Trek prices are determined by the duration of the trip, transportation modes, meals available and the size of the trekking party, Check directly with the TAT office in Chiang Mai for current information.
Shopping
Chiang Mai is, quite simply, Thailand’s major center for quality handicrafts. The visitor need merely visit the nearest city emporium or night market to purchase handicrafts. A major advantage of shopping in Chiang Mai is that the visitor may watch artisans working within the city and in several outlying villages, particularly along the Bo Sang-San Kamphaeng road where, in genuine cottage industries, parasols, silk and cotton weaving, jewelry, woodcarving, silverware, celadon, and lacquer ware are manufactured, and number among popular purchases.
Major Chiang Mai products include:
Cottons & Silks
First-class Chiang Mai cottons and silks are of incomparable quality. Cottons and silks have innumerable fashion and furnishing applications. The largest possible selection is available in San Kamphang.
Umbrellas-Parasols
These are inextricably associated with Bo Sang where villagers have been engaged in their manufacture for at least 200 years. All materials, silks, cottons, sa paper(manufactured from the bark of the mulberry tree) and bamboo are produced or found locally. Visitors to Bo Sang will see literally hundreds of designs and sizes ranging from the miniature to the gigantic.

Silverware
The finest Thai silverware is exquisite, and is made in Chiang Mai, where certain families have practised their art for several generations. Traditional skills and a guaranteed content of at least 92.5% pure silver invest bowls, receptacles and decorative items with authentic value. Silver shops are concentrated on Wua lai Road, Where silverware artisans and their families live.
Lacquer ware
Striking black and gold designs give lacquer ware its visual appeal and sheen. This decorative are enhances items made of wood, bamboo, metal, paper and baked clay, in the form of receptacles, ornaments and various souvenirs.
Furniture/Woodcarving
Chiang Mai is a major center of furniture making. Major woods and materials include teak, rosewood and rattan. Items may be unadorned or, especially with teak and rosewood, artfully carved in traditional or modern designs. Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous temples. In recent years, wood carving has increasingly embellished furniture, gracing screens, chairs, tables, beds, indeed anything bearing a wooden surface large enough to be carved. Carved elephants, figurines and tableware number among other popular purchases.
hill tribe Products
These include silver ornaments, such as bracelets, necklace, pendants and pipes of intricate design, and embroidered items including tunics, jackets, bags, purses, caps and dress lengths.

Gold Plated Orchids & Butterflies
Orchids and butterflies and preserved and plated with 24-carat gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.
Pottery