Chiang Mai Sightseeing

Castle Rock Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary established for the preservation of Asian bears and gibbons. Located 30 km from Chiang Mai with lakeside frontage in beautiful countryside, it provides a perfect spot to spend the whole day relaxing and learning more about Thailand’s animals. There's plenty of space for the kids to run around too. Tel: 053 350 387 for more information.

Chiang Mai Arboretum is an attractively landscaped garden near Chiang Mai University, containing many kinds of tropical trees and flowers as well as a small display of Asian and African mammals and birds.

Chiang Mai National Museum contains Lanna Thai works of art, ancient Buddha images and war weapons dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. It is located on the Superhighway road about 5 km from the city centre.

Chiang Mai University occupies a vast space of land on the foothills of Doi Sutep. It is an attractive place with its own lake, waterfall and many good facilities including a sports stadium, food centres, a late night market and an arts centre. Performances and concerts are also held that would interest children and their families. Contact the university on: 053 221 699.

Chiang Mai Zoo, located about 5 km from Chiang Mai City Centre, occupies 200 acres in the foothills of Doi Sutep and is the largest zoo in Thailand. Landscaped gardens, waterfalls, lakes and views of the city make it a worthwhile visit.

Doi Sutep Mountain and Temple is probably the first feature any first-time visitor to Chiang Mai would notice. It is part of the ring of mountains that surround the city and is home to a spectacular temple. Wat Prathat Doi Sutep is a gleaming temple and guardian of the city that can be seen from any point in Chiang Mai. There are plenty of places to stop and picnic en-route, or see how many different birds and wild flowers you can spot. Located 17 km from the city in a national park.

Huay Keaw Waterfall is a great picnic spot or just a place to go and cool off. It is a relatively small waterfall that flows steadily during the rainy season but tends to trickle down to a small stream in summer. Located near the zoo, 6 km from town, on the foothills of Doi Sutep Mountain.

Montaturn Waterfall is another popular waterfall and picnic spot, located 15 km from Chiang Mai, on the road up to Doi Sutep. It can be hard to access during the wet season, however, the rainy season is also the best time to be at this falls as the water then is more powerful, cascading down from the mountain into a small pool that is wonderfully clean and refreshing to swim in. For a more rewarding time, take a brief and steep climb up the side of the falls. It will lead you to a very private area whereby you can slide down the shoot into the pond. It is also a great place to admire the city below.

Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre (OCMCC) puts on nightly dinner performances of northern Thai and hill tribe dances. It’s a touristy affair, but done well. Several big hotels around town offer similar events, but the OCMCC was the first and the best. Tel: 053 202 933. For a bigger show that includes live elephants, try the newer Lanna Nakorn 1296, near the Night Bazaar. Tel: 053 818 249.

Puping Palace is the winter Royal residence located further up the mountain from Doi Sutep. You may visit the palace during weekends and public holidays as long as the Royal Family is not in residence. Completed in 1962 the palace grounds are beautifully in bloom during the cool winter months (December - January).

Wat Chedi Luang on Pra Pokklao Road is the old site of an enormous pagoda (chedi), originally 85 metres high, which was partially destroyed during an earthquake in 1545. At one time, Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha image now found in Bangkok’s Wat Pra Kaeow in the Grand Palace compound. One of the most striking architectural features of Wat Chedi Luang is a Naga (dragon) staircase adorning the main chapel’s front porch.

Wat Chiang man on Ratchaphakhinai Road is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple and dates from 1296 when Chiang Mai was founded as a capital by King Mengrai. It first served as King Mengrai’s residence and is noted for a its massive teak columns, a chedi supported by rows of elephant statues, and two important and ancient Buddha images.

Wat Jet Yot near the National Museum was built in 1453 to host the eighth World Buddhist Council in 1477. Based on the design of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India, the proportions of the Chiang Mai version are quite different from the original. The seven spires of the chedi represent the seven weeks Buddha spent in Bodhgaya after his enlightenment. The entire area is surrounded by manicured lawns and provides a peaceful place to relax.

Wat Ku Tao near Chiang Mai Stadium, north of the moat, was built in 1613. It contains a unique chedi that looks like a pile of diminishing spheres and is said to contain the ashes of a son of a Burmese King who reigned from 1578-1607. Note the amusing sculptures on the outer wall.

Wat Pra Singh, dating from 1345 this temple on Sam Lan Road is one of the focal points of the mid April Songkran festivities each April when people bathe the Buddha Singh image. Also on the temple compound is the Lai Kham chapel with exquisite woodcarvings, murals and a scripture repository.

Wat Pra That Doi Suthep commands a spectacular location 1156 metres above sea level on Doi Suthep Mountain, overlooking the Chiang Mai plateau. It is one of Chiang Mai’s most famous landmarks, dating from 1383 with holy Buddha relics in its golden pagoda. Buddhist from all over the world make pilgrimages here throughout the year. The ascent to the temple is by way of an impressive Naga staircase of around 300 steps, or for the less energetic, by funicular cars.

Wat Suan Dok on Suthep Road was built in 1373 by a king for as a retreat for a travelling teaching monk. It is a favourite spot for photographers, particularly at sunset. Several of the Chedis contain ashes of local royals. One of northern Thailand’s largest metal images is the 500 year old bronze Buddha in a secondary chapel.

Wat U Mong is an interesting temple surrounded by a forest, just 3 km west of town on the way to Doi Suthep. Brick tunnels in an unusual flat-topped hill were supposedly fashioned around 1380 for the clairvoyant monk Thera Jan. Later on, the monastery was abandoned and wasn’t reinstated until a local prince sponsored a restoration in the late 1940s. One building contains modern artwork by various resident monks, including several foreigners. There is a very large chedi, small lake and museum/library with English language books on Buddhism. Resident foreign monks give talks in English on Sunday afternoons at 3pm by the lake.

Climb the Naga Staircase at Doi Suthep Temple. Wat Pra That Doi Suthep commands spectacular views at 1156 metres above sea level on Doi Suthep Mountain. If you choose to climb the 300 steps to the top, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views and a great feeling of accomplishment. (For the less energetic, funicular cars are available). This 14th century temple is one of Chiang Mai’s most famous landmarks that can be seen from almost anywhere within the city.

Dine on the River. The Riverside Bar & Restaurant offers dinner cruises along the river as well as on-shore dining. It’s a favourite spot among Thais and foreigners with a jovial atmosphere and live music nightly. The dinner cruise launches at 8pm. Just board the boat anytime after 7:30pm. Call 053 243 239 for more information. Mae Ping River Cruises also offers dinner cruises as well as a day cruise to a fruit farm. Call 053 274 822 for more information.

Go Climb a Rock. Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures leads rock climbing instruction trips to a set of limestone cliffs. Excursions include two guides, transport, food, water, equipment, insurance and a souvenir T-shirt. Call 06 911 1470 or visit their web-site at www.thailandclimbing.com

Go Shopping at the Night Bazaar. There is no other market like it in Chiang Mai. This ultimate bazaar sits in the heart of Chiang Mai on the Ping River, selling almost anything you could wish to buy in Chiang Mai. Remember to bargain.

Go Trekking. Chiang Mai is trekking central. Adventurous jungle treks, lasting from two to seven days, take visitors through forested mountains, rivers and hill tribe villages. Trek on foot, elephant, bamboo raft or all three. Trekking can be arranged at most hotels and tour companies.

Learn Thai Massage. The Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai, located on the University campus, offers certified courses from 18 hours to a full year’s curriculum. The English language standard tends to be very high here. Visit their web-site at www.1thaimassage.com. Another recommended course is that of Lek Chaiya, a woman who has been massaging and teaching for over 40 years. Lek specialises in jap sen (similar to acupressure) and the use of medicinal herbs. Courses take 3-5 days. Call 053 278 325 or visit www.nervetouch.com

See Chiang Mai from the Air. Oriental Balloon Flights arranges one-hour early morning hot-air balloon cruises over the Chiang Mai countryside. Prices include transfers from your hotel plus a champagne breakfast. A magnificent way to start the day! Call 053 398 609 for more information. The Chiang Mai Flying Club offers aerial sightseeing tours as well as pilot training courses. Sightseeing flights last from 30-90 minutes, depending on the route. For more information E-mail the club at alpharom@samart.co.th or call 053 200 515 / 01 952 0144.

Seek Enlightenment. Buddhist Meditation courses are offered at Northern Insight Meditation Centre, located in the large Wat Ram Poeng, near Wat U Mong. Traditional Vipassana meditation is taught during 10-26 day individual courses by a Thai monk with western students or bilingual Thais acting as interpreters. Meditation can also be learned from the monks at Wat U Mong. The best way to arrange this is to attend the Sunday talks by the temple’s lake.

Soak up the Sunset at Wat Suan Dok. This 14th century temple is a favorite spot for photographers, especially at sunset. Several 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.

Visit Mae Sa Valley. This pristine area of waterfalls, rushing streams and ancient forest is one of Chiang Mai's best-kept secrets. The Mae Sa Valley forms part of a loop road encircling the national park of Doi Suthep and Doi Pui. There are several villages of different hill tribe people, camps where elephants can be ridden, orchid, snake and butterfly farms and gorgeous waterfalls.