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Chiang
Mai : Attractions / Tour Routes |
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Among the places most worth visiting in Chiang Mai
are its centuries-old wats (Buddhist temples), many
of them in the city area. As the city is of a moderate-size,
touring around town to visit these temples by bicycle
is very popular.
| Wat
Chiang Man |
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(off Ratchapakhinai
Road in the northeast corner of the old city)
This is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai town
which 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.
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| Wat
Lok Moli |
| Another visit-worthy temple of Chiang Mai |
The exterior of Wat Lok
Moli |
When in Chiang Mai, the city of old culture and
sweet-mannered people, the sites where you can
linger all day to admire the city's magical charm
are temples dotting the city in abundance. Apart
from Wat Phra Sing which is a well-known beautiful
Buddhist temple where Phra Phuttha Sihing, a most
revered Buddha image of the north is enshrined,
Wat Lok Moli appears to be another interesting
and visit-worthy temple.
For taxi : วัดโลกโมฬี |
| Wat Phra
Sing |
(Samlan Road)
This lovely temple, built in 1345, houses the North's
most revered Buddha statue, Phra Phuttha Sihing.
Every year on April 13, Songkran Day, the image
is paraded on Chiang Mai streets for local people
to sprinkle scented water at. |
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The temple compound contains a lai-kham chapel
which features exquisite woodcarvings and northern
style murals.
For taxi : วัดพระสิงห์ |
| Wat
U-Mong |
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(Suthep Road )
Built in 1296 by King Mengrai, it is situated in
a rustic forest setting. This famous meditation
temple is unique in its large tunnel-like construction.
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| Wat
Ku Tao |
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(off Chotana Road near the Chiang
Mai Stadium /
see Map
of Chiang Mai City)
This old temple is noteworthy for its unique Burmese-style
chedi (pagoda) that consists of a series of circular
layers piling one above the other and decorated
with coloured porcelain pieces. As this round layered
pagoda resembles a water gourd, the temple is called
Wat Ku Tao, which means "Temple with the
Water Gourd Chedi".
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| Wat
Suan Dok |
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(Suthep Road / see Map
of Chiang Mai City)
This temple was built by command of King Kuena of
Lanna Thai Kingdom in 1371.The 500-year-old bronze
Buddha image, enshrined in the temple, is one of
the most beautiful and largest metal images of the
Buddha in Thailand. The temple ground is also a
favourite spot for photographers, especially for
scenes of the striking sunset.
For taxi : วัดสวนดอก |
(Phra Pokklao Road / see Map
of Chiang Mai City)
This 14th century temple, where the City Pillar Shrine
is located, is famous for its enormous chedi (pagoda)
measuring 282 feet high and 144 feet wide at the base.
Its spire collapsed in 1545 because of an earthquake.
A pair of magnificent Naga staircases at the front porch
of the chapel is among the most beautiful in the North.
| Night
Bazaar (Chang Khlan Road / see Map
of Chiang Mai City) |
This popular place is an extensive
night market spreading out along Chang Khlan
Road. It consists of a great number of shops
and street vendors, many of whom are hilltribes.
The market offers a large variety of Thai and
northern Thai goods, especially handicrafts
and souvenirs, at attractive prices. This is
a must for shopping-oriented visitors and bargain
lovers.
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Warorot market, locally called Kad Luang, is Chiang Mai's first shopping
centre in Chinatown and a place to see real Chiang Mai. The most famous
souvenir here is northern style food. Kaeb mu (crispy pig skin), mu yo (traditional Thai pork sausage), and nam phrik num (traditional northern style green chilly paste). Beyond the market on Praisani
Road are dozens of stalls where hilltribe people sell various kinds of tribal
handicrafts and tropical fresh fruits and flowers from the highland farms.
| Wualai
Walking Street (Saturday Market) |
The Wualai community has been so far known for its fine silver and lacquer
wares. On Saturday evenings, the Wualai Street is closed to traffic making
it an open-air showcase for the area's famous handicrafts. It is therefore
called Saturday Market. Don't miss a chance to shop for authentic northern
silver and lacquer wares as well as other unique handicrafts at the venue.
You are recommended to go there from around 4 p.m. on, when the weather
is cooling down and most vendors have already set up shops. The market runs
to 10 p.m.
| Tha
Pae Walking Street (Sunday Market) |
Tha Pae Walking Street runs on Sundays at Tha Phae Gate and along Ratchadamnoen
Road. It hence, in the same way as Wualai Walking Street is called Saturday
Market, is known as Sunday Market. The Sunday Market features shopping at
reasonable prices for various kinds of goods, ranging from local handicraft
products to portrait paintings. Besides, local food and music are also key
attractions to both locals and tourists. Expect to find activities of all
kinds alongside special theme events for young and old alike. This pedestrian
market starts around 4 p.m. and runs to 10 p.m.
| For taxi : |
ถนนคนเดิน ท่าแพ |
Chiang
Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre
(Phra Pokklao
Road, Muang County) |
| Information |
Tel. 0 5321 7793, 0 5321 9833 |
| Open |
Tuesday-Sunday (including public holidays)
08.30-17.00 hrs. |
| Admission Fees |
Adult: 90 Baht / Child: 40 Baht
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| For taxi : |
หอศิลปวัฒนธรรมเมืองเชียงใหม่
ถนนพระปกเกล้า อำเภอเมือง |
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| Ratchaphruek Garden |
Location: 12 km southwest of Chiang Mai, in Mae Hia Sub-county, Muang County
Ratchaphruek Garden, the former site of the Royal Flora Expo 2006, Thailand’s largest international horticultural exposition, has been developed and opened to the public. It has become a great learning site for agro-tourism. Inside over 470 rai (188 acres) of land amid a mountainous terrain, the garden features various species of plants and flowers as well as many exquisite architectural styles. Examples of what to see in the garden are as follow:
Ho Kham Royal Pavilion
The symbolic structure and great photogenic site of this garden, featuring delicate traditional Northern style architecture, Ho Kham Royal Pavilion houses exhibitions in honour of King Bhumibol, wall paintings depicting His Majesty’s exceptional abilities in the country’s development and a sculpture of the tree of the ten kingly virtues.
Corporate Garden
Showing sustainability and eco-friendly agricultural techniques, the corporate gardens presented by many organizations and state enterprises are aimed at inspiring visitors to follow the king’s theories.
International Garden
Including not only innovative horticultural shows from 33 countries around the globe, the international gardens also offer showcases of each particular country’s identity through its art and architectural style.
Indoor Exhibition
This zone demonstrates hydroponics, a tissue culture nursery and features buildings that grow tropical, desert and temperate plants.
Outdoor Exhibition
The outdoor exhibition is an area comprising a large outdoor garden featuring various kinds of tropical plants, water plants, Buddhist auspicious plants and beautifully trained trees as well as a building exhibiting the history of Thai horticulture.
Rare Plants
Apart from the above mentioned plants, Ratchaphruek Garden collects some rare species like the “Royal Palm”, the “Double Coconut” and ancient pine trees.
Tram services are available at 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children. The garden is open every day from 9.00-18.00 hrs except Monday. For now the admission is free. For more information, please contact the Ratchaphruek Garden on tel. 0 5311 4110-5.
For taxi : สวนเฉลิมพระเกียรติฯ ราชพฤกษ์ 2549 ตำบลแม่เหียะ อำเภอเมือง |
| For your personal safety and protection
by law, please use the services of travel agencies holding a TAT license
only. |
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