Chiang Mai tourist attractions
Wat Chedi Luang is still the highest point in old CM
Wat Chedi Luang is still the highest point in old CM
With a legacy of 700 years of history and its own distinctive culture Chiang Mai offers its five million annual tourists a busy brochure of attractions. Only Bangkok has more urban sites to point your camera at, and this laidback city offers numerous stunning temples, waterfalls and national parks, ancient ruins, fascinating markets and animal parks for family fun.
To visit all the popular Chiang Mai tourist attractions, you would need several days; we have listed the main ones here in order of importance and popularity. Renting a moped and finding your own way around is practical, although a tour guide is useful to impart interesting history and mysticism behind the city and its attractions.
Wat Prathat Doi Suithep
This is one of Thailand’s most famous temples, overlooking the city from its spectacular mountain location. The winding road up to the temple passes a couple of nice waterfalls and the view from the temple platform is impressive.
The site dates from 1386 and is revered among Thais as one of the country’s most important religious sites. With its distinctive gilded chedi and marble-floored courtyard, the temple is full of symbolism and is usually busy. If the 300 steps leading up to the temple are too much for you, a lift offers a quick shortcut.
On the way up to the temple, it's worth looking at Huay Kaew and Monthathal Falls - a meditation centre is attached to the temple and food, drink and souvenirs are on sale at the entrance. Open: 06:00-21.00; entry: foreigners 30 baht, free for Thais, lift: 20 baht per person each way; tel: (053) 295 003. More on Doi Suthep.
Phuping Palace and National Park
Located another six kilometres up the mountain, this site is decorated with plenty of colourful, exotic flowers. It serves as the royal winter residence from mid–December to early February, when it is closed to visitors. Carry on up the mountain and you visit a very touristy Hmong hill tribe village, Baan Doi Pui, or continue to a lovely viewpoint near the summit. Open: 08:30 to 16:30 (tickets not sold from 11:30-13:00), closed from January to March; entry: foreigners 50 baht, Thais 20 baht; trolley car 300 baht per car (max. 3 persons); tel: (053) 233 065, email: bhubingpalace@yahoo.co.th, website: www.bhubingpalace.org.
Wat Chiang Man
Chiang Mai’s oldest temple began construction shortly after the city’s founding in 1296, and has pretty grounds near the Sriphum corner of the old city. It’s one of the most important historic sites in Chiang Mai and although not as photogenic as other temples (and somewhat neglected), it contains two ancient, diminutive Buddha images; one purported to be almost 2,000 years old. This temple is a good example of classic Lanna architecture. Open: 06:00-17:00; entry: free.
Wat Chedi Luang
This is perhaps Chiang Mai’s most striking relic and was once the most important in the Lanna capital. Dating from 1441, the 91-metre high pagoda was felled to half that height in an earthquake in the late 16th century. To this day the partially renovated chedi remains the tallest structure in the old city and the main attraction. There are several Viharn or Ubosots in the compound as well. The much revered Emerald Buddha, found in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, briefly lived here during its remarkable travels. Open: 06:00-17:00; entry: free.
Chiang's illustrious Wat Pra Singh in the old town
Wat Phra Singh
Situated in the middle of the old city, this temple contains Chiang Mai’s most important Buddha statue. The recently restored Viharn Lai Kham is a classic example of a Lanna-style viharn while the main viharn (c. 15th century) houses the much venerated Phra Sihing Buddha, which has a murky background yet a unique lion-style originating from Sri Lanka. A distinctive, elevated Hoi Tra (scriptures repository) is also on site. The mural paintings on the walls of Wat Phra Singh depict the scenes of Suwannahong and Sang Thong classic literature. Open: 06:00-17:00; entry: free.
Chiang Mai Zoo
Spread out over a huge area, at the foot of Doi Suithep, is this exhausting zoo - it’s very hilly - although there is a tram and a monorail. Most of the animals enjoy quite large natural habitats here, with inhabitants ranging from bears to penguins. The latest additions are two pandas (on loan from China) and their recent offspring, which have become national celebrities. There is also a brand new snow dome, which is a novelty for the locals. Open: daily 08:00-17:00; entry: foreigners: adults/children 100/50 baht, Thais: adults/children 70/20 baht (pandas, snow dome, aquarium, adventure park and tram, extra); 100 Huay Kaew Road, tel: (053) 221 179, email: chiangmaizoomail@gmail.com, website: www.chiangmaizoo.com.
Chiang Mai Night Safari
One of Chiang Mai’s newest attractions, this 120-acre woodland at the foot of Doi Suithep National Park is worthwhile for the whole family. A two-kilometre Jaguar Trail around a pretty lake has many zoo-like enclosures and when it gets dark two different tram rides take visitors through open safari area full of African, Asia and South American predators and wild animals. It includes a large pavilion area with restaurant and Southeast Asia’s biggest musical fountain. Open: daily, 11:00-22.00, day safari Thai version, depart every 30 mins., riding: 15:00-16.30, tram riding: Thai version, depart every 5-30 mins., during 17.00-22.00; North zone: English version, depart at 18.30 and 22.15, South zone: English version, depart at 18.30 and 22.15, entry: Walking zone: Foreigners: adults/children 100/50 baht, Thais: adults/children 50/25 baht, Day safari: Foreigners: adults/children 800/400 baht, Thais: adults/children 200/100 baht, Night safari: Foreigners: adults/children 800/400 baht, Thais: adults/children 300/125 baht, 33 Moo 12, tel: (053) 999 000. More on the Night Safari. website: www.chiangmainightsafari.com.
Chiang Mai Aquarium
Surprisingly, landlocked Chiang Mai now boasts the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia (opened in November, 2008). It’s located inside the zoo and has an 8,000 cubic-litre tank that apparently includes the world’s longest aquarium tunnel (at 133m). More than 8,000 aquatic species, including 250 fresh water varieties, are found here. Entry: Foreigners: adults/children: 520/390 baht, Thais: adults/children 290/190 baht, snorkelling: Foreigners 1,000 baht, Thais: 500 baht, Open: 10.00-16.00, tel: (053) 893 111, email: info@chiangmaiaquarium.com, website: www.chiangmaiaquarium.com.
Wiang Kum Kam
The original Chiang Mai city was unearthed in 1984 and is situated just outside the modern metropolitan area, to the southwest. It was built by King Mengrai as his first attempt to establish a settlement in the valley before chronic flooding of the Ping River forced its abandonment. Almost 20 temples have been uncovered in the area and a ride by horse–drawn carriage, or by bicycle, will let you take most of them in within half a day. Some have been well excavated and offer a fascinating ‘Atlantis of Chiang Mai’. There is also the striking Chedi Liam in the area, attached to a working temple. Open: 08.30-17:00; entry: 10 baht, horse carriage tour 200 baht (for 2-3 person), tram person300 baht (for 1-10 person); tel: (053) 140 322, email: tatchmai@tat.or.th.
Mae Khampong and zipling
This eco village, and the pristine Mae Takhrai National Park in which it is nestled, is best seen from the tree tops which is why most the visitors are part of the Flight of the Gibbon experience. This is the original zip line in Chiang Mai and the most professionally run, a thrilling adventure 50m above ground on more than 25 lines. It takes several hours to negotiate the sky bridges, abseiling obstacles and canopy. You might even spott gibbons in the wild. Mae Khampong, where it's based, is a pretty little village perched besides a mountain stream at altitude. It's a refreshing escape from the tourist trail. Open: daily. Tours run from 7am throughout the day, costing 3,300 baht. Tel: 053 010 660, email:
info@treetopasia.com
Chiang Mai National Museum
This is located next to Wat Jet Yot and houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art, ancient Buddha images, and war weapons. The museum is built in a vague neo–northern Thai style and aims to preserve the art and culture of Northern Thailand. It’s hardly world-class but a good introduction to local history. Open: 09:00-16.00 (Wednesday to Sunday); entry: 100 baht, Thais: 20 baht; 451 Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway, tel: (053) 221 308, fax: (053) 408 568.
Mae Sa Elephant Camp is educational
Mae Sa Elephant Camp is educational
Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre
Mae Sa offers elephant shows, bathing elephants and elephant rides. Located about an hour’s drive into the Mae Sa Valley, this is a great outing for the whole family. There’s even a bamboo rafting centre. It’s one of several camps in the area, with the rival Mae Taman camp in Mae Tang operated by the estranged wife of this camp’s owner.
There’s another well-known camp in Lampang, and all provide a fun experience with elephants trained to paint, play musical instruments and conduct humorous stunts. Mahout courses are also offered, shows are at 08:00, 09:40 and 13:30. Open: 08:00-15:00; entry: adults/children 200/120 baht (elephant rides: one hour/30 min cost 1,200/800 baht); 119/9 Tapae Road (town office); tel: (053) 206 247/8, fax: (053) 20 6247, email: maesaele@loxinfo.co.th, website: www.measaelephantcamp.com.
Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden
Continue up the Mae Sa valley, just past Mae Sa Elephant Centre, and discover this lovely landscaped mountainside garden collection which covers an area of 560 acres among the cool hills of Mae Sa Valley. Home to over 700 species of plants, including cacti and some spectacular orchids, it also features a number of attractive nature walks, along with greenhouses, a