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CHIANG MAI
CHIANG MAI SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Exploring Chiang Mai’s fascinating
sights would leave you awed-struck. Albeit, Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second
city; she’s second to none with its location and deeply imbued and remarkable
history and culture that persevere till this day.
National Parks are well kept and
maintained and provides visually impressive panorama and astonishing waterfalls
and caves and sanctuary of diverse species of birds. There are numerous interesting places for everyone
to see here in Chiang Mai, from outlandish animal shows to magnificent gardens.
There are about 300 temples in and around Chiang
Mai to explore, and Northern Thailand is the home of most of Thailand's ethnic
Hill Tribes. For history buffs Chiang Mai has a long and interesting history
and the city is proud of its finest museums in the country. For people who are
seeking adrenaline rush activities, Chiang Mai offers good adventures of a life
time, from water rafting, bungee jumping to rock climbing to name a few. It
also gives the visitors chance to be intimate and commune with the elephants,
an experienced you can’t get anywhere else. There’s no inch of boredom in the
most famous city of the north –Chiang Mai. We have listed below some of
the most interesting Chiang Mai Attractions for you to see and to make your visit
a treasured one.
    
    
TEMPLES
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat
Phra That Doi Suthep is the most consecrated temple in Northern Thailand. It
was built at the slope of Doi Suthep Mountain, during the Lanna Thai Period.
Over the centuries the temple complex expanded into sparkling assembly of
chedis, viharns, bots and mural cloisters you see today. Venturing inside the
temple you can take a glimpse of a dazzling
gold-plated chedi roofed by a five-tiered gold umbrella and a huge collection
of drums, bells and other related artifacts.
The summit offers a superb breathtaking panorama of Chiang Mai and its environ.
   
A white elephant is involved in the legend
surrounding the foundation of Wat Phra. According to the traditional stories, a Buddha relic magically
replicated itself just before it was about to be enshrined in the big chedi at
Wat Suan Dok. The king placed the bigger replica of the relic in a portal
shrine on the back of a white elephant, which was allowed to roam and waited to
see where the animal would take it. The elephant eventually climbed to the top
of Suthep Mountain and uttered loud sounds three times, knelt down and died of
exhaustion. The temple was immediately built on the miraculously-chosen site.
Wat
Phra That Doi Suthep is 15km from town. Upon reaching the wat, visitors have
the alternative of ascending via cable car for 50 baht or by conquering the
steep and impressive 309 step Naga Stairways. A wide array of food stalls and
souvenir items can be seen on the way up to the temple. Tourist must keep in
mind this is an active and living temple for Buddhists, and you have to dress
appropriately. Shorts, tank tops, and short skirts are not allowed! You also
have to remove your shoes, and walk around barefoot in the inner sanctum of the
temple area.
How to get there: You can find clearly marked
songthaews to Doi Suthep that will take you on the 30-minute journey to this
temple at Pratu Chang Phuak, the Central Department Store on Huay Kaew Road, or
outside the entrance to Wat Phra Singh. The songthaew leaving from Pratu Chang
Phuak, will pass Chiang Mai University and the zoo on the way. Take note that
drivers depart only when the whole songthaew is occupied with up to 8 passengers
with a flat rate of 40 baht going up and 30 baht going down.
Open daily from
06.00 to 19.00 H
Admission: 30 baht
Wat Phra Singh
This
beautiful temple dates back from 1345 and located in the heart of the city at
the intersection of Singharaj and Rajdamnern Road. The bronze image of Phra
Singh Buddha is the central point of Songkran festivities. Every year, a
procession is made in honor of the buddha on Chiang Mai street for devotees to
sprinkle scented water at the consecrated Buddha.
The
temple complex includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel, displaying its exquisite
wood carvings and the inner walls of the chapel are overlaid with murals,
exemplifying Lanna customs and the ways of the Burmese court. To the right of
the entrance, a high stucco-covered stone base stands a beautiful red scripture
repository. The small scripture repository is the finest of its type in the
north. These repositories were designed to preserve and safeguard sacred texts
written on palm leaves and the fragile mulberry paper sheets used by monks and
scribes to keep records. A huge chedi was first built by King Pha Yu to house
the bones of his father
King
Kam Fu.
Open daily from
06.00 to 17.00
Admission: free
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat
Chedi Luang is Chiang Mai’s
largest chedi, tower over its adjacent buildings. This temple is in
the center of Chiang Mai at Prapokklao Road and one of the most important wats
in Northern Thailand.
King
Saen Muang Ma ordered the start of the construction of the temple in the 14th
century and took many years to finish. During the reign of King Tilokaraj in
the mid-15th century expanded the Lanna style chedi to a height of 86 meters
and once spiraled toward the sky before it was destroyed by an earthquake in
1545. The Emerald Buddha was enshrined here in 1468, but it was moved after the
principal structure partly collapsed after the great earthquake. In the early
1990s the chedi was restored to its former glory, financed by UNESCO and the
Japanese government.
Wat
Chedi Luang is also home to the "Pillar of the City", a sacred symbol
used in ancient Thai fertility rites. The Inthakhin Festival fertility rites
lasting for 7 days that takes place yearly during the months of May or June. The
temple is home to some Buddha statues, including a 9 meter reclining Buddha.
Open daily from 06.00
to 17.00 H
Admission: free
Wat
Chiang Man
Chiang Man was built by King Mengrai in 1296, it is the
oldest wat in the city. The temple is a classic example of northern Thai
design It enshrines the tiny Crystal Buddha, one of the greatest treasures in
Thailand, which is thought to have the power to bring rain. Another important
Buddha image here is called Phra Sila, a Stone Buddha, reflects the fine
workmanship of Indian artisan from centuries ago. Wat Chiang Man is located at
the northern end of Ratchaphakhinai Road.
Open daily from
06.00 to 17.00 H
Admission: free
Wat U Mong
The Wat is famous for its ancient tunnels and large historic
stupa. This forest temple is good for refuge, a sanctuary built by King
Mengrai. The monastery at Wat U Mong is one of the oldest in Chiang Mai, dating
back to 1300 A.D. The fable goes that a king built the brick-lined tunnels for
an eccentric monk named Thera Jan.
Other attractions include a Buddha field of broken
sculptures, a spiritual theatre of paintings, a fasting Bodhisattva,
reproductions of ancient Buddhist sculptures from India, and a library-museum.
Wat U Mong is located on Suthep Road, near the Main gate of Chiang Mai
University.
Open daily from 08.00
to 17.00 H
Admission: free
CHIANG MAI NIGHT SAFARI
Chiang Mai night safari is not just a typical zoo, but
also the government’s dissemination program and learning facility for all
students and tourists about conservation of nature. This nocturnal zoo will
give a better understanding of untamed animals and their habitat such as the
forest.
Chiang Mai Night Safari is the first in Thailand and
presents substitutes and variety to tourism areas to compete with other
countries. It is twice larger than Singapore Night Safari and considered to be
the most beautiful night safari in the world.
  
Night Safari Entrance
The night safari is divided into three main zone; Savanna
safari, Predator Prowl and Jaguar Trail. During daytime, visitors to the Chiang
Mai Night safari are restricted to the Jaguar Trail, a 1.2km walking trail
around the lake. The Night Safari also has the largest Musical Fountain in
Southeast Asia.
Night safari restaurants offer you various choices of Thai
native and European dishes and souvenir shop which provides various products
such as animal-like gifts, dolls, ceramic products, clothes, stationery, etc.
Chiang Mai Night Safari is situated on Doi Suthep- Pui
National park and is about 11 km from the center of Chiang Mai.
Fees and Operational Hours:
Daytime
Jaguar Trail
only
Monday - Friday 1.00 pm
- 10.30 pm
Saturday - Sunday and
public holidays 10.00 am - 10.30 pm
Adult: 100 THB
Child: 50 THB (100 -
140 cm. of height)
Nighttime
Jaguar Trail,
Predator Prowl, Savanna Safari and
Musical
Fountain with water screen
Jaguar Trail Daily: 6.00
pm - 10.30 pm
Tram Ride (Thai
Version) 7.00 pm - 10.30 pm (every 15 - 30 min.)
English Version :
Predator Prowl at 7.45 pm and 9.30 pm
Savanna Safari at 8.30 pm and 10.15 pm
Musical Fountain Show:
8.00 pm and 9.10 pm
Adult: 500 THB
Child: 300 THB (100 -
140 cm. of height)
Contact Information:
Chiang Mai Night Safari
Tel:+66 (53) 999050
Fax : +66(53) 999009
E -Mail: booking@chiangmainightsafari.com
DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
The Doi Inthanon
National Park is
within Chiang Mai Province and is an easy 90 minute drive away from the city,
covering an area of 1,005 square kilometer and located at Doi Inthanon,
Thailand's highest mountain at 8,415 feet.
The
varying elevations have given the park a wide variety of plants and animals
— even some Himalayan species can be found here. Doi Inthanon National
Park has the best bird watching in the country and at present this luxuriant
park is home to 362 bird species at least 266 species reside on the mountain
and nearly 2,000 species of ferns and flowering plants.
There
are a number of trails in the park. Some pass through old sections of the
forest or by the Mae Klang and Vachiratharn waterfalls. The eastern section of
the park contains a number of caves. About 30 hill tribe villages are found in
or near the park.
   
   
   
The
forest in the park is one of the country’s very significance and valuable
heritage. Forests include Moist Evergreen Forest, Pine forest and Mixed
Deciduous Forest. The moist and dense evergreen forest is rich with lichens and
wild orchids. The National Park has beautiful natural scenery such as
waterfalls, particularly Mae Ya Waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful
waterfalls in Thailand. The forests in the park are relatively untouched, with
some of the tallest and best-preserved mountain forest in the country.
When
you have reached the highest peak of Thailand and enjoyed the breathtaking
view, you will be mesmerized to find two special Royal Chedi’s. The Chedi's are facing each other on neighboring
hills, about 100 meters apart from each other. These Chedi’s were built on the
occasion of HM The King's 60th birthday,
and the other Chedi is built on the occasion of HM The Queen's 60th birthday.
Lots
of people visit the National Park for a refreshing day out while others like to
camp over a night or
two. There are
both camping and bungalow accommodation facilities - but make sure you have a
reservation with the Rangers at National Park Headquarters.
Getting to Doi Inthanon is not difficult; take a
bus or songtaew from Chiang Mai to Chom Thong. If you arrive here before 10 am
you can get on a regular songtaew up the mountain. If arriving later than 10 am
you should charter a songtaew to the park’s head quarter at Km 31, which should
cost 300-400 baht.
If you wish to travel by car from Chiang Mai; take the Chiangmai-Hang Dong-Hord Road, route 108 and shortly before reaching the town of Chom Thong
after a 57 kilometer drive, take a right turn onto Route 1009. There is a
large, English language sign, giving directions to Doi Inthanon. The Park Headquater is at km.31 of
this road.
Entrance fee: Adult:
400 Baht
Children:
200 Baht
* Pay at the first check point at Km 8.
Visitor center:
Open daily from 8.30 am
to 4.30 pm
Contact Information:
Doi Inthanon National Park
119 Ban-Luang Amphur Chom Thong
Chiang Mai,
50160
Phone:
(+66) 53 28-6730      
Fax: (+66)
53 28-6728
Reservation Park
headquarters
Phone(+66) 53 26-8550
E-mail: inthanon_np@hotmail.com
CHIANG MAI MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL PLACES
As
the cultural heart of Thailand where the fusion of ancient and modernity
convened, it’s no surprise that Chiang Mai has some interesting museums. Chiang
Mai Museums are a perfect educational destination who wants to learn more of
the long and fruitful history of Chiang Mai. These museums preserved the art,
culture and history of the Lanna Kingdom as well as the northern hill tribes.
Chiang Mai National Museum
The National Museum of Chiang Mai is one of the
city’s premier museums without doubt; it is located 3 kilometers north of the
old city at Chang Puak Road. While its compendium is not as broad as Bangkok’s
National Museum, but visiting it is a worthwhile experience for it would
enlightened you of its various display of its history from pre-neolithic times
to the modern life in Chiang
Mai, including in the collections are
wide array of impressive bronze and gold jewelry, and real ceramic exhumed from
the famous 14th -16th- century of the old Kingdom of Lanna.
Lannatai works of art, ancient Buddha images, war weaponry and the city's liberation from the Burmese and
its re-establishment starting from 1782. are
some of the highlights of the museum.
The Museum is under the patronage of
Royal Majesties, the King and Queen. The museum has also been assigned as center
of education and preservation of art and culture of Chiang Mai. There will
always be something of interest to anyone in this museum, but the better way is
to explore them all.
Chiang
Mai National Museum is housed in a beautiful and recently renovated building
and divided into six themes or topics which are categorized as follows:
 Category One is all about geology, geography,
ecology and prehistoric settlement of the North of Thailand.
Category Two brings you back to the colorful
history of the Lan Na Kingdom of Chiang Mai and the invasion and control of
Burma in 1555-1796.
Category Three showcases City of Chiang Mai during
the reign of the Kingdom of Siam and their freedom from Burma.
Category Four briefing you of the business, trade
and commerce of the Lan Na Kingdom.
Category Five deals with the social development and
way of life of Chiang Mai in present days.
Category Six makes you aware of the history of art
in Thailand and development of the Lan Na Art Style from ancient time to modern
times.
Entrance fee:
30 baht per person
Opens from Wednesday to Sunday
From 9am – 4pm
Contact Information:
Chiang Mai Nationa
Musuem
451 Chiang Mai -
Lampang Superhighway,
Muang, Chiang Mai (near
to Wat Jet Yod)
Phone: (+66) 53 22-1308
Museum of World Insects
and Natural Wonders
Spiders, beetles, bugs reading this alone gives you
a creepy feeling. Insects,
according to Creation science were created on the sixth day of creation along
with all other land animal and man. They are the most copious and widespread
terrestrial taxon in the phylum Anthropoda. Museum of World Insects and Natural
Wonders is a unique and an interesting one for people who wanted to explore the
world of Entomology, for others, plain curiosity is surely worth your time.
Museum Of World Insects was founded by a couple in
2002. Manop and Rampa, the husband and wife tandem have been studying,
traveling and collecting insects most of their lives. There is a vast
collection of insects in all shapes and sizes, with 422 species of mosquitoes,
enormous butterfly specimens which are all attractively displayed inside
mounted in glass cases. Including in the comprehensive collections are
fascinating and exotic sea shells, geological treasures like fossils and
stunning stones among others; and many other wonders of staggering diversity
from around the world.
 
Tarantula Spider
Aedes Aegypti Rain Beetle
The Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders is a
ten minutes tuk tuk ride from the city center and you will be welcomed in a phantasmagorical world of psychedelic butterflies and splendidly
masquerading stick insects, a site where bugs and beetles possessed such bewildering
structures and patterns that were straight from science fiction movies. So
don’t forget to visit this museum when in Chiang Mai.
Entrance Fee: 200
baht.
Open daily: 9am -
5pm
Contact Information:
Museum of World
Insects & Natural Wonders
Srimankalajarn
Road, soi 13.
Suithep and Huay
Kaew roads
(near Suan Dok
Hospital)
Phone: (+66) 53 21-1891
Tribal Museum of Chiang Mai
Are you curious about tribes in
the highlands of Chiang Mai? Can’t distinguished Lahu from a Lisu? Do you think
that YAO is just the power center who plays in NBA? Then, the Tribal Museum is
waiting for you to be enlightened and have a good grasp of these unique ethnic
tribes in Northern Thailand.
This
museum bring forward culture and lifestyle of the preserved history of these
diverse way of life by expressing ambiance of traditional and modern tribal
village existence through crafts made by talented villagers. An impressive
showcase of hunting equipment, colorful costumes, historic
weapons, intricate silver jewelry, musical instruments, various household
utensils, textiles and ornaments with a background of traditional tribal
music and chanting are the things this museum offered to their visitors.
The hill tribes are the minority people who dwell
in the far-flung areas of Thailand. Their indigenous origins, languages and
customs vary from the majority, the Tai. The widely held tribes consist of the
Hmong, Akha, Lahu, Lisu, Karen and the Yao (or Mien). These hill tribes have
been nomadic and only the Yao have ever had a written language, the history of
the other tribes has developed through oral traditions.
Tribal Museum of Chiang Mai is beautifully built in
a pagoda-shaped building in a lake north of the Rama IX garden in Ratchamankla Park, this museum is highly recommended for those who plan to visit many northern
villages; it could serve as an
introduction to the many facets of the ethnic tribes of Chiang Mai.
Admission
is free
Opens
Monday to Friday from 9am-4:30pm
Close on Sat, Sun and
Holiday
Contact Information:
Chiang Mai Tribal Museum
Ratchamangkla Park,
Chotana Road
Muang, Chiang Mai
Phone:
(+66) 53 21-0872
Dara Phirom Museum
Almost everyone is always
mesmerized with the lifestyle of the royal families around the globe and that
is not an exception to Thai royalty. This lovely museum presents an an
excellent insight into the life and era of Princess Dara Rasmi who was a
consort of King Chulalonghorn and half-sister of the chief Prince of Lanna at
the time.
Princess Dara played a
significant role in unifying the Kingdoms of Lanna and Siam and advocated the
preserving of the art, furniture, clothing and social practices from the
traditional northern culture. The museum displays exhibits about 270 pieces of
furniture, paraphernalia which previously embellished the palace. The collections
can be seen displayed in her former home almost all of which is open for public
viewing in the museum. The Dara Phirom Museum is located on the Mae Rim road,
about 30 km north of the old city.
Entrance fee: Adult: 20
baht
Free for Children under
12 years old
Open 9am - 4.30pm
Tuesday-Sunday
Close on Monday
Contact Information:
Dara Phirom Museum
Moo 1, T. Rim Tai, A.
Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
Phone: (+66 ) 53 299-175
Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural
Center
Chiang
Mai City Arts and Culture Center is one of the tourist attractions in Chiang
Mai that encapsulates various aspects that unveils the true identity of Chiang
Mai. The centre is a modern multi-media museum and cultural education center
and it is located in an old building of elegant
architectural design built in 1924.
Arts & Cultural Center
Three Kings Monument
This
Chiang Mai Museum has many rooms documenting the history and culture of the
region from ancient to modern-day Chiang Mai with ingenious blend of video,
wall murals, photos, full-scale prototype of Thai and Chinese merchant shops,
conventional Lanna house and Thai market of the northern region. This museum offers you a glimpse of historic facts
together with human life and local customs through clear illustration and
presentation.
Entrance Fee: Adult: 90
Baht (for Thai 20 Baht)
Children:
40 Baht (for Thai 10 baht)
Opens on Tuesday-Sunday
from 08.30-17.00 hrs.
(Including
public holidays)
Contact
Information:
Chiang Mai City Arts
& Cultural Center
Phra Pokklao Road Muang,
Chiang Mai
Phone: (+66) 53-21-7793
Chiang Mai Museum of Dolls
Museum of
dolls is like Milan’s Haute Couture, miniature cute porcelain dolls seemingly strutting
on the runway in their various attires both traditional and modern.
Divided into three zones - international, fashion design
and traditional Thai - the museum's shelves glitter with more than 4,000 dolls
in eye-catching clothing that would give Donetella Versace a run for her money.
Just a 30-minute drive from Chiang Mai , visitors are
greeted by exquisite dolls imported from Japan, France, Taiwan, Australia,
India, Switzerland, Fiji, America among others. You can also see how there are
created by checking out demonstrations given by owner Youthana and his crafts
worker. Dolls and accessories for souvenirs are also available in the museum.
Admission
is free
Opens daily from 8am - 5pm
Contact Information:
Chiang Mai Doll Museum
187/2 Moo 9, Baan Dong Khilek,
T. Ma Kham Luang,
A. San Pa Tong, Chiang
Mai
Phone:(+66) 53 83-7229
CHIANG MAI AQUARIUM
Claiming to be the largest aquarium in Southeast
Asia, Chiang Mai Aquarium is a 600-million-baht aquarium that measures 13,895
square meters and 4.5 meter deep with a capacity for 8,000 cubic liters of
water. The Chiang Mai Aquarium displays 8,000 fish from 250 salt and
fresh-water species in two compartments.
Salt Water Tank at Chiang Mai's Aquarium
Freshwater Tank at Chiang Mai's Aquarium
 
Clownfish Sea horse Lionfish
Some of the highlights are stingrays, lionfish, sea
horses, starfish, and clownfish or popularly known as NEMO all of these are
long-time favorites of small children. Several
varieties of sharks, including the Great White, swim around visitors as they
make their way through the viewing tunnel. Chiang Mai Aquarium center has a reception hall and an 8,000 meter viewing walkway,
and have a capacity of 1,000 visitors at any given time.
Salt Water Tank at Chiang Mai’s Aquarium
Entrance fee: Adult
450 baht
Children 330 baht (90-150 cm)
Children free (below 90 cm)
Contact Information:
Chiang Mai Aquarium
Marinescape (Thailand)
Co., Ltd.
100 Huay Kaew Rd,
Suthep Sub District,
Muang District, Chiang
Mai,
Phone:   (   +66) 53 89-3111
Fax: (+66) 53 89-2100
CHIANG MAI ZOO
If you want to experience some thrill and intimacy
of various species of animals in their natural habitat, then a visit to Chiang Mai Zoo maybe
one of the highlights of your visit to Chiang Mai. Founded in 1974, the zoo is
now home to more than 6000 animals, mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.
  
However, the popular attractions
of the zoo are the giant pandas,
named ‘Chuang Chuang’ and ‘Lin Hui’ and their new cub born on May 27.
They are housed in an air-conditioned building that simulates their natural
habitat. The cute vegetarian bears have been on loan by the Chinese government
since 2001.
 
Another attraction was added in the
zoo, the Koalas and Penguins. The Koalas are given by the Australian government
as a gift during the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to
the throne in 2006, the Penguins on the other hand arrived from South America.
The zoo is divided into different
sections such as a Panda zone, bird section, a fresh water aquarium, an open
zoo, a gibbon island, a safari animal zone and a camping area, There are trams
inside the zoo for convenience and fun.
  
Chiang
Mai Zoo is located at the Huay Kaew Road near Chiang Mai University. Perhaps
the easiest way to get there is Tuk-Tuk. Local buses that goes to Doi Suthep
also take you to the zoo.
Entrance Fee: Adults :
30 baht
Children 10 baht ( over 135 cm)
Children 5 baht ( below 135 cm)
Vehicle:
30 Baht
Motorcycle:
10 Baht
Contact Information:
Chiang Mai Zoo
100 Huay Kaew Road,
Suthep, Chiang Mai
Phone: (+66) 53 22-1179
Fax: (+66) 53 22-2283
E-mail: cmzooinfocenter@yahoo.com
SNOW DOME IN CHIANG
MAI ZOO
Snow
Dome in Chiang Mai Zoo is the new attraction in the City of Chiang Mai and
fully ready to welcome visitors. Soon to be the new home and play pen for
Chiang Mai’s famous panda family. The newly-opened 580 square-meter Snow Dome
is set to be very popular with children and families. For visitors whose countries
don’t experienced snow, a mere mention of snow gives thrill and metaphor of a
winter wonderland.
The
Snow Dome includes a huge slide, a snow terrace, and a viewing platform. Unique
features in the snow dome are the panda dolls and doughnut skis for the
visitors to play on. Visitors will be provided with a coat and shoes to keep
warm while inside the dome.
Entrance fee: Adults
150 baht
Children
100 baht ( for less than 135 cm in height)
Visits are limited to
20-minutes.
The zoo runs a total of
12 Snow Dome sessions per day.
First session
beginning at 9.00 am & Last session is 5pm.
Contact information:
Chiang Mai Zoo
100 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Phone: (+66)53 22-1179
Fax: (+66) 53 22-2283
E-mail: cmzooinfocenter@yahoo.com
BHUBING PALACE
Phu Ping Palace was built in 1962 and serves as the
winter residence of the Thai royal family from mid–December to early
February. The palace is located just four kilometers beyond Wat Phra That Doi
Suthep on the same road about 22 km drive from Chiang Mai. Surrounded by
picturesque, well manicured and multicolored flower gardens, the temperature is
usually very comfortable here situated at altitude above the planes of Chiang Mai.
Phu Ping Palace is closed to the general public when the Royal Family or state
visitors are in residence.
  
Getting to the palace is by the same road (highway
1004) that leads to Wat Pra That Doi Suthep. It's simply a case of following
the road past Wat Pra That Doi Suthep for roughly 7 kilometers.
Open daily from 08.30 to 16.30 H
Admission: 50 baht
MAE SA ELEPHANT CAMP
Mae Sa Valley is famous
for its seven-tiered waterfalls as well as assortment of tourist attractions
and that includes Mae Sa Elephant Camp.
Mae Sa Elephant Camp is
situated on the banks of a small river in a scenic fertile tropical valley and
less than an hour from downtown Chiang Mai. Having been open for nearly 30
years and at present the camp which is privately owned has seventy eight
elephants under their care. Visiting the elephant camp is not just seeing the
jumbos in flesh but you will be entertained in your hearts desire, you’ll be
able to watch an incredible show of the elephants that are willing to show
their skills and antics and you’ll find
yourself admiring them for being so talented. Even Monet would be proud of the
elephants’ paintings.
The program starts by
bathing the elephants on the river and followed by their performance in a large
arena with all kinds of tricks that surely brings fun and laughter to adults
and kids alike. Here’s what to expect of the show these gentle giants offered.
Musical performance and dancing
by the talented elephants
Demonstration of how the
elephants massage their mahouts by using their trunks
How the elephants sleep at
night (lying on their side)
Football matches consisting of
many talented elephant players like Play Khamsan, Lankam and Kongkam
Elephant stick picking
competition.
Dart game show by little
elephants.
Logging and lumber dragging
show
Painting of many abstract and
natural pictures by the eight elephants – Kamsan, Songpun, Kongkum,
Lankam, Wanpen, Pu Ood, Duanpen, and Punpetch
 
Mae
Sa Elephant Camp is the only place in the world where you will see paintings of
realistic pictures by elephant artists so amazing that Ripley's Believe It Or
Not and the Guinness World Records acknowledged this special painting as “the
Largest Painting by a Group of Elephants” and “the Most Expensive Painting by A
Group of Elephants” respectively.
Your
encounter with the elephant does not end with the fantastic show; the highlight
would be the opportunity to meet the elephants at the end of the show. You’ll
be able to approach and feed them with sugarcanes and bananas which you can buy
at the stalls inside the park. Aside from this you can also ride the gentle
giant which you can book for half an hour or a full hour. You will be settled
high in a howdah that will take you through the jungle and across the river,
truly an amazing and memorable experience that you should not really miss. The
elephant show is good and the short ride offers the experience without pain to
the pocket or the backside!
3 elephant shows daily:
08:00 am.
09:40 am.
01:30 pm.
Elephant show Fee: 120
baht per person
Ride prices per
elephant - max. 2 adults: 30 min. 800 Baht
Contact Information:
Chiang Mai Elephant
Camp
Mae Rim- Samoeng road
(KM.10)
Phone: (+66) 53 297-060
Email: maesaele@loxinfo.co.th
CHIANG
DAO CAVES
Do
you want to see nature at its best? Be captivated with the stunning formation
of stalagmites and stalactites formed from thousands of years? Then a visit to
Chiang Dao Caves must be one of your itineraries during your visit to Chiang
Mai.
Chiang
Dao Caves is located just 77 km. north of Chiang Mai, the cave is situated at
the base of Thailand’s third highest peak Chiang Dao Mountain. The spectacular
view from the peak of Chiang Dao mountain is interesting in his own right. This
area offers varied range of activities as well from, trekking, hiking, rock
climbing, elephant rides through the jungle, bamboo rafting at the Mae Tang river
amongst others are all possible. However, spelunking is of special interest.
 
The entrance to the cave
Stalactites formation
The
Chiang Dao caves is a multifaceted area, and extend more than twelve kilometers
deep into the base of the mountain, but there are only five main areas where
you can explore safely with the guides on hand at the cave and only two of the caves
Tham Phra Non which is 360 meters in length and Tham Suea Dao which is 540
meters are electrically illuminated.
However,
spelunking is still possible deeper down the caves with just 100 baht, a
lantern lit guided tour could take you longer to the bowels of the earth and
see before your eyes the deeper network of a large chamber in a series of caves
untouched for thousands of years. It is always wise not to explore the unknown
caves on your own, be prepared to crawl a little, if you are claustrophobic
better not go, be careful on your steps as the floor an be slippery.
Buddhist
wooden porters in Chiang Dao cave
The moment you
descend to a large cavern, a sacred Buddha image is the first thing you can
see, the stalagmites and stalactites are breathtaking that they formed
different images which the guide would point out to you one after the other. These limestone caves were gradually
built upward from the floor as a deposit from ground water seeping through and
dripping from the cave's roof. As you
wander inside the cave, you will ponder on how nature offered us such a beauty
for us to behold in our lifetime.
Admission is 10 baht
Guide cost 100 baht no
matter what size the group.
Contact Information:
Chiang Dao Cave
Chiang Mai-Fang Road,
Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai
Phone: (+66 53)24 8604
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