Chiang Mai

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Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment and there are countless possibilities to enjoy your stay in Chiang Mai. Among them trekking amid wonderful mountain scenery, visiting hill tribes, elephant training centers, temples and cultural shows (Thai dancing) and plenty opportunities for shopping and dining. Below a summary of the major attractions and things to do.

Temples & cultural performances
The old walled city of Chiang Mai with its moats contains some magnificent temples. The lovely temple Wat Phra Sing dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each year in April. The temple compound includes the Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarvings and northern style murals. Wat Suan Dok is a favourite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunsets. Several of the white chedies contain ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family. Thailand's oldest temple Wat Chiang Man (1296) was the residence of King Mengrai who founded Chiang Mai. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep on the top of Doi Suthep mountain (1056 m / 3520 ft above sea level) just out of town is Chiang Mai's most important and visible landmark and dates from 1383. The temple is approached on foot by climbing a steep Naga staircase of 200 steps. There is also a railcar going up. The temple's golden pagoda contains holy Buddha relics and attracts Buddhist pilgrims all over the world. The temple compound offers exhilarating view of Chiang Mai city and surrounding countryside. Old Chiang Mai cultural centre, located on the road to Chom Thong, stages Lanna Thai cultural performances with a Kantoke dinner among Objets d'Art.

Elephant training centers
Each morning, trained elephants demonstrate their formidable and highly valued forestry skills from 09:30 until 11:00h at the Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre, some 30 km out of town. A jungle tour on elephant back, lasting more than 2 hours through adjacent forests, is offered after the show. Elephants can also be seen at the Pong Yaeng Elephant Centre and the Elephant Nature Park at Mae Taman. Several picturesque resorts on route with accommodation and dining facilities offer rural living. For instance at Mae Sa Valley Resort, Kangsadan Resort, Pong Yaeng Garden Resort and Erawan Resort. The Taeng Do Elephant Camp on the riverside features daily shows of elephants at work in 2 morning shows. They also offer elephant rides and opportunities for river rafting through largely pristine and tranquil forests as well as jungle treks to neighbouring hill tribe settlements.

Trekking
Various hilltribes live throughout northern Thailand's mountains. Each tribe has their own distinctive customs, rituals, games, dances, language and hygiene habits. Popular jungle treks last 2 to 5 days and take visitors through forested mountains and valleys. They include visits to remoter high altitude hill tribe settlements for overnight stays. Delicious meals are prepared by your guide according to western (hygiene) standards. Treks commonly feature a combination of travel by foot, sometimes boat, elephant back, horse back or jeep and raft. Treks are registered with the Tourist Police for trekkers protection. Avoid narcotics both during travel and at hill tribe villages. There are severe penalties for usage. Valuables such as passport, jewelry and money should be deposited in the safe of your hotel. Wear sensible clothing for protection and sleep under a mosquito net at night. Take malaria precautions. Respect hill tribe beliefs, dress modestly, ask permission before photographing someone and avoid trading western medicines and articles.

Mountains, caves & waterfalls
Chiang Mai's most photographed Mae Klang waterfall lies some 58 km west of the city at the foot of Doi Inthanon mountain and provides a picturesque setting for picnics and relaxation. A 10 minute drive and a walk of some 2 hours take you to the Borichinda cave. Doi Inthanon national park covers Thailand's highest mountain (2565 m / 8550 ft). The lovely Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Pan waterfalls share the mountain with Meo and Karen hill tribe settlements. Forests above 1800 m / 6000 ft is covered with lichens and wild orchids. The Mae Ya waterfall, 12 km from Chom Thong market, is one of the highest waterfalls in Thailand. Sacred Buddha images occupy the Chiang Dao caves (km 72 on highway 107). Caves are illuminated by electric lights. Deepest recesses can be explored with local guides. Fang Hot Springs located at Ban Pin (163 km north of Chiang Mai city) occupy a 10 acre forest setting. Three springs boil continuously with a string smell of sulphur. Water temperatures at the springs range from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius. There are 50 springs in total.

Orchid & Butterfly farm
Major nurseries in Chiang Mai's Mae Sai valley include the Mountain Orchid, Mae Rim Orchid and Sai Nam Phung Orchid complexes. Each provides opportunities for visitors to admire these exotic year-round looks. Certain orchid farms also have special butterfly enclosures wherein exotic species can be seen in their natural environment.

Shopping
Chiang Mai is a major centre for quality handicrafts. At the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar in the city centre you can buy a wide variety of antiques, silver jewelry, hilltribe opium pipes and embroidery, Thai silk, cotton, silverware, furniture, lacquerware, woodcarvings and umbrellas. Often you can see the artisans working. The eastern route to Bo Sang features an abundance of shops selling earthenware, lacquerware, wood carvings, gemstones, jewels & gold and cottage industries where young women manufacture silk and cotton umbrellas and paper parasols. This place is very touristy.

Festivals
Chiang Mai celebrates many annual festivals. Three are particularly lovely and noteworthy. They are the Chiang Mai Flower Festival on the first weekend of February, Songkran from 13 to 15 April and Loy Kratong on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, generally in November. The 3 day Flower festival occurs when Chiang Mai's flowers are in full bloom and at their colourful best. Festivities include colourful floral floats, parades, music an dancing and beauty pageant. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year with religious merit-making, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited, good-natured water throwing. Loy Kratong is the time when people float away under the fool moon, onto rivers, canals and lakes, banana-leaf boats bearing a lighted candle with incense, flower and small coin to honour the water spirits and was away the previous year's misfortunes.