Southwest (Highway 108)
Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
Located at the beginning of Chiang Mai-Hang Dong road (Highway 108), the Centre has an excellent collection of Lanna Thai art. It is also the venue for folk dance performances and typical northern-style khan tok dinners. Open from 7.00 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Tel. 0 5327 4540, 0 5327 5097, 0 5320 2993-5
Website: www.oldchiangmai.com
Wat Phrathat Si Chom Thong
Located 58 km. from town, this intriguing temple dates from the mid-1400s and houses a collection of bronze Buddha images while a holy Buddha relic is enshrined in the secondary chapel.
Wat Phrathat Doi Noi
The temple, between KM 43 and 44, was built by the Mon Queen Chamma Thewi in 658 AD. The hilltop location, reached by a flight of 241 steps, affords fine views of the Ping River and surrounding countryside.
Namtok Mae Klang
Chiang Mai's most photographed waterfall lies some 58 km. from town at the foot of Doi Inthanon. The picturesque setting is a popular picnic spot.
Tham Borichinda
A 10-minute drive and a 2-hour walk from Mae Klang, this large cave has stalactite and stalagmite formations, Buddha images and a rocky stream.
Doi Inthanon National Park
The 1,005-sq. km. park encompasses Thailand's highest peak which rises to 2,565 metres above sea level. Rich in flora and fauna, especially bird life, and with waterfalls, nature trails and Hmong and Karen hill tribe villages, the park as a whole is one of Chiang Mai's top attractions and well worth visiting.
Doi Inthanon Royal Project Research Station
Located in Khum Klang village, close to the park headquarters, this royally initiated research station was established in 1979 to help hilltribe farmers to cultivate temperate-clime cash crops instead of opium and to train them in modern agricultural practices. The flower plantation and the plant and breeding research lab are open to visitors.
Phra Maha That Napha Methanidon
and Phra Maha That Naphaphon Phumisiri These twin pagodas, located at KM 41.5, were built to commemorate the fifth cycle birthdays of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit.
Traditional Cotton Weaving Village
Located 3 km. from Mae Chaem District Office in Tambon Tha Pha, the village is famous for producing northern-style cotton sarongs.
Op Luang Gorge
This picturesque gorge with a river zigzagging between high, steep cliffs, is located 105 km. from Chiang Mai. The area is pleasantly framed by teak forests and hills.
Ban Rai Phai Ngam
Also renowed for its high quality traditional cotton, this village is reached after a left turn between Km. 69 and 70 along the Chiang Mai-Hot road.
Doi Tao Lake
Doi Tao district is 133 km. from Chiang Mai. The large reservoir here lies behind Bhumibol Dam in Tak province and offers recreational opportunities, including boat cruises.
Huai Phak Phai Royal Project
At Ban Mae Ha in Hang Dong district, this royally initiated project is a research and cultivation centre for roses. The main attraction is the 8.4-acre Royal Rose Garden, best seen between October and February.
North (Highways 107 & 1096)
Tribal Museum
Situated in King Rama IX Lanna Garden on Chotana Road, this ethnology museum has exhibits highlighting the separate identities and cultures of the North’s nine major hilltribe groups, Karen, Hmong, Yao, Lisu, Akha, Lahu Lau, Thin, and Khamu. Open daily to the public from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. except Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays.
Tel. 0 5321 0872
Orchid and Butterfly Farms
There are several orchid nurseries in the Mae Sa Valley area where visitors can view these exotic year-round blooms. Some orchid farms also have special butterfly enclosures where tropical species can be seen in a natural environment.
Mae Sa Snake Farm
Here, some 3 km. along the Mae Rim-Samoeng road, various kinds of snakes indigenous to Thailand can be seen. There are also daily 30-minute snake shows at 11.30 a.m., 2.15 p.m. and 3.15 p.m. Open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Tel. 0 1472 1566
Namtok Mae Sa
This 8-tiered waterfall in Mae Rim district is 26 km. from town and occupies a lovely setting among towering trees.
Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
This international botanical garden, located around 12 km. along the Mae Rim-Samoeng road and extending over a mountainous area of 560 acres, was established to honour Queen Sirikit in 1992. The garden has an excellent collection of Thai and foreign plants laid out according to species and climate, and there are three walking trails. Also here is a Tourist Information Centre, the Thai Orchid Breeding Centre, the herbs Museum and the Research Centre. Open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Tel. 0 5329 8171-5 Ext. 2500, 0 5329 9753
Website: www.qsbg.org
Chiang Dao Elephant Training Centre
Located off Highway 107 at KM 57 between Mae Taeng andChiang Dao, this is one of a number of elephant camps in the area which put on shows of work elephants displaying their forestry skills. Open from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. daily. There are shows starting at 9.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m.
Tel. 0 5329 8553, 0 5386 2037
Tham Chiang Dao
Sacred Buddha images can be seen in the cave complex of Wat Chiang Dao at KM 72 on Highway 107. The caves are illuminated by electric lights.
Doi Luang Chiang Dao
This cone-shaped limestone mountain in the Chiang Dao Wildlife Reserve rises to 2,195 metres above sea level, which makes it Thailand’s third highest peak after Doi Inthanon and Doi Pha Hom Pok. The area is rich in highland flowers, birds, and butterflies. Permission to visit the mountain must be obtained from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.
Tel. 0 2562 0760
Website: www.dnp.go.th
Huai Nam Dang National Park
The park, accessed via the Mae Malai-Pai road, covers an area of 180 sq. km. in the Mae Taeng and Pai districts of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces. Forested highland ranges and panoramic views are among the attractions.
Doi Ang Khang
This is the location of a Royal agricultural station, 163 km. north of Chiang Mai, which is a demonstration site for the research and cultivation of flowering plants, temperate fruit trees, vegetables and other crops under the patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Outside the agricultural station, the area of Doi Ang Khang is a nature resort where activities include trekking, mule-riding and mountain-biking can be found.
Fang Hot Springs
Located at Ban Pin, 8 km. northwest of Fang town, 50 hot springs occupy a 10-acre forest setting. Three of them boil continuously with water temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees Celsius.
Ban Tha Ton
Sited on the banks of the Kok River, close to the border with Myanmar, this small town is full of atmosphere and has a few interesting sights, such as Wat Tha Ton. However, it is best known as the starting point for long tail boats trips downriver to Chiang Rai, a thrilling 3 1/2 hour journey that passes hill tribe villages and jungle scenery. It is also possible to hire bamboo rafts for the same trip, the journey taking 3 days.
East (Highways 118 & 1006)
San Kamphaeng
This district, 13 km., is famous for its silk and cotton weaving. The village showcases finished products as well as the silk-weaving process. On the way from Chiang Mai to San Kamphaeng, the road is lined with factories and souvenir shops selling woodcarving, silverware, earthenware, lacquer ware, and cotton fabrics.
San Kamphaeng Hot Springs
Located 36 km. from town and set amid natural surroundings of trees and verdant hills, these springs have water with a high sulphur content and possess curative and restorative properties. Accommodation, a swimming pool, dining facilities and segregated mineral water bathing rooms are available. Nearby is Rung Arun Hot Sping Resort which offers bungalows, mineral baths and an excellent park setting.
