Day Trips

Hotels

Museums

The Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Centre

This place is located in an old building of elegant architectural design built in 1924. Standing on the location of a former royal hall, the building was used as the central administrative unit of Siam, and later as the Provincial Hall of Chiang Mai. This place was received an award in 1999 for preservation of a public building from the Royal Society of Siamese Architects (Society of Siamese Architects under Royal Parsonage).

The museum has been divided into two sections. The front (eastern) part of the square-shape building contains permanent exhibits, while the rear section of the building has been dedicated to cultural activities, temporary exhibits, a souvenir shop, lecture theatre and exhibition hall for Lanna arts and an archive.

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays including public holidays (closed on Mondays) from 8.30a.m.-5p.m. Admission fee is B90 for adult, B40 for children. For more information call 053-217793, 053-219833.

Huai Nam Dang National Park

This park was formerly know as an area of Doi Samoeng highland development project, which was initiated by His Majesty the King to solve the problem of forest encroachment and poaching, as well as to enhance the lives of the local hill tribe people. As this area is filled with attractive nature and virginal forests which provide vital watersheds, Huai Nam Dang was declared the 81st National Park of Thailand by the Royal Forest Department on 14 August 1995. Later on it was designated as the National Park to commemorate hundredth year establishment of the Royal Forest Department and also for the celebration of His Majesty the King's 50th year on the throne. Huai Nam Dang National Park covers four districts: Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, and Wiang Haeng in Chiang Mai province and Pai district in Mae Hong Son province, an area of approximately 1,247 square kilometres. The healthy natural condition of Huai Nam Dang National Park provides highly diverse habitat types. Wild animals dwelling in this rich forest, include elephants and some rare animals such as salamanders.

Reference: http://www.chiangmainews.com

Ob Khan National Park

This park is located on the left side of the Khan River at Namprae. This scenic route hugs the irrigation canal to Hang Dong road for about 15 kms. Then turns right on the Namprae, Ob Khan road for about 11 kms. The outstanding sights to see are Takataen Cave, Ob Khan, Pha Ou Mha, Ob Hai, Huay Yha Sai, Pha Toob and Huay Pong. The geographical features of the National Park mostly consist of high mountains. Yod Khun Tien is the highest mountain of the National Park, with an altitude of 1,550 metres.

Camping facilities with food and beverage available from 08.00 to 18.00. From two paths, visitors can take in all the natural beauty of this area. The National Park has beautiful natural tourist attractions and a great variety of interesting plants and wild animals A sightseeing information centre with 24 hour guard is provided.

Reference: http://www.chiangmainews.com

Fang Hot Springs

These hot springs are situated at Ban Pin, which is located approximately 8 kilometers northwest of Fang city. The hot springs originate from simmering granite with temperatures from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius. Most notable is the largest spring which constantly jets out strong sulphur scented steam.

Reference: http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com

Chiang Dao Cave

Chiang Dao Cave

Tham Chiang Dao is a charming cave located in Amphoe Chiang Dao. Climb a staircase with a zinc roof to reach the cave. The lovely cave greets visitors with various kinds of fish swimming in a stream in front of the cave. Touring in and around Tham Chiang Dao with a local guide is possible by contacting local guides in front of the cave.

Travel It is situated 72 kilometres from Chiang Mai town, turn left at the entrance route and proceed for 5 kilometres on an asphalt road. Convenient parking is available. Reference: http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com

Bhubing Palace

Bhubing Palace

Phra Tamnak Bhubing Rajanives was built in northern Thai architectural style called “Ruen Mu” (Group of Houses). The building sits on stilts. The upper floor is the royal residential area while the ground floor houses the royal entourage.The building master plan was design by Prince Samaichalerm Kridagara while Mom Rachawongse Mitrarun Kasemsri designed the building.The construction of the Palace was undertaken by the Crown Property Bureau,under the supervision of Prince Samaichalerm Kridagara, assisted by Mom Mom Rachawongse Mitrarun Kasemsri and Mr. Pradit Yuwapukka.General Luang Kampanath Saenyakorn, the Privy Councilor was assigned to lay foundation stone on August 24, 1961 at 10.49 am. The Construction took 5 months to complete. The first royal visitors to stay at the palace were King Federick the Ninth and Queen Ingrid of Denmark on their royal visit to Thailand in January 1962.



Reference:http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com

Doi Ang Khang National Park

Doi Ang Khang National Park

Famous for its cool climate all year round, visitors can explore the Royal Angkhang Station Project and visit hill tribe villages to learn more about their daily life. As the route is filled with steep s-curves, an experienced driver and vehicles in good condition is required. The local truck (song taew) from Mae Kha Market offers chartered service to the mountain.

Travel To get there, take Highway No. 107 (Chiang Mai-Fang), turn left at an intersection around Km. 137 (Mae Kha Market) and proceed for another 25 kilometers to Doi Ang Khang.

Reference:http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com

Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon
This national park which covers an area of 1,005 square kilometers is located on Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain which is 2,565 meters above sea level. Located between Mae Chaem and Chom Thong, the park is comprised of the largest tract of upper mountain forest which ranges across Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and ends in Northern Thailand. The mountain ranges gave birth to the main tributaries of the Ping river and formed the beautiful waterfalls, namely Siriphum, Wachirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Klang and Mae Ya. The moist and dense evergreen forest is abundant with lichens and wild orchids. The park is also a paradise for bird lovers. Visiting Doi Inthanon is possible throughout the year however, the best period for viewing the waterfalls is May through November while the best period for viewing wild flowers is December through February and for ornithologists is November through March.
Travel
Travel 58 kilometers west of Chiang Mai via Highway No. 107 to Chom Thong, then turn right into Highway No. 1009 and continue a further distance of 48 kilometers along Highway No. 1009 to the summit. A good but rather steep asphalt road takes visitors up, thus the vehicle must be in a good condition. Visitors could pay for the entrance fee at Km. 8.

Reference:http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com

CM Attractions: Temples

Wat Prathat Doi Suthep
Locals would says " You haven't been to Chiang Mai unless you've visited to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep" Truly, the place is the most important and famous Chiang Mai landmark. Built in 1383, this mountaintop temple has a chedi (pagoda) that houses holy Buddha relics. The gold-plated chedi lies in the middle of a square marble-tiled courtyard. The four corners of the chedi are adorned with parasols which represent royal regalia. The temples courtyard is lined by a cloister, which contains images and murals depicting Buddhas life. There are also two viharns situated in the middle of the east and west sides of the cloister. This temple is 15 kilometers from town and is 3,520 feet above sea level. It is the perfect place to get a birds eye view of the city. The temple can be reached via a steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps or railcars.


Wat Pra Singh

Built in 1345, the temple is located on Sam Lan Road.
It houses the North's most revered Buddha statue, Phra Phuttha Sihing which is enshrined in Vihan Lai Kham, a chapel that features exquisite woodcarvings and northern style murals. Every year on April 13, Songkran Day, the image is paraded through the streets of Chiang Mai for local people to sprinkle scented water on. This area was formerly Wat Li Chiang Market until 1345, when King Pa Yu, the fifth king of the Meng Rai Dynasty commanded the construction of this temple and a 24-feet chedi to contain his father's ashes.

Wat Chiang Mun

The oldest temple in Chiang Mai town, Wat Chiang Man was built in 1296 by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. The temple is famous for its Lanna-style chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses and an ancient and invaluable Buddha image named Phra Kaeo Khao. Wat Chiang Man is situated off of Ratchapakhinai Road in the northeast corner of the old city.





Wat U-Mong

The temple was built in 1296 by King Meng Rai, and was renovated during the reign of King Keu Na. This famous meditation temple is unique in its large tunnel-like construction.



Reference: http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com

Introducing Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the hub of Northerh Thailand with the population of over 250,000. It located on a plain at an elevation of 316 meters and surrounded by a ring of mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, and has a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North". Moreover, Chiang Mai has its own very distinctive culture, arts, festivals, and traditions. It has been voted one of the top destinations to live and it also boasts some of the best value hospitality and shopping in Asia.

Climate and Weather
Normally, the temperature ranges between 20 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius in Chiang Mai. Nevertheless, weather is typically cold all yearb round, with an average temperature of 25 degree Celsius.

Cool season: (Late October to end of Febuary) Average temperature between 21 degree Celsius, and much cooler at night. The coolest months are December and January.

Hot Season: (Early March to end of May) Average temperature between 29.9 degree Celsius. The hottest month is April.

Rainy: (Early June to end of October) Average temperature between 25.5 degree Celsius.