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Chiang Mai Attraction Highlights
The most important and most visible landmark, Wat Phra That
Doi Suthep,
is perched high atop a mountain overlooking the city with the forested
mountain backdrop providing a very scenic panorama. The temple is accessible
by climbing a steep 300-step staircase with naga siderails or, for those
less active, by funicular railcars. The temple contains a golden pagoda
that houses a part of the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. Wat Phra Borommahathat
Doi Suthep was built in 1383 by King Gue-Na on a plateau commanding an
impressive view of the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand's northern capital.
Buddhists from around the world come here to pay worship to the holy temple.
Further up the road from the temple is the Phu Phing Palace.
Built in 1962, the royal winter palace's lavish landscaped gardens
are open to the public on weekends and holidays when the Royal Family
is not in residence.
 Wat
Chiang Man, the temple, which is located within the walled city on
Ratchaphakhinai Road, is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple and probably dates
from 1296 and is the finest example of Northern Thai architecture. King
Mengrai, the city's founder, allegedly lived here while the new city
of Chiang Mai was constructed. The temple has massive teak columns and
a Chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses. The temple houses
two sacred ancient Buddha images. The larger of the two, Phra Sila Khao
(or stone Buddha) is a stone bas-relief which reflects the fine workmanship
of Indian craftsmanship. It is believed to have originated in India or
Sri Lanka some 2,500 years ago The smaller ancient Buddha image, Phra
Kaew Khao or Phra Sae Tang Kamani (crystal Buddha) heighten only around
10 cm and is thought to have originally come from Lopburi around 1,800
years ago. Phra Kaew Khao, is thought to have the power to bring rain.
The stupa in this temple imitates the stupa at Si Satchanalai.
The chapel of Wat Phra Singh houses the image of Phra Buddha
Singh,
an image which is highly revered by the Chiang Mai and Thai people alike.
The architectural style of the chapel exemplifies the splendors of Lanna-Thai
art and culture at its finest.
The focal point of the Songkran (Thai New Year's) festivities occurs
at Wat Phra Singh where local people bathe the revered Buddha image. Dating
back to mid-14th century, the lovely temple is named after the Phra Singh
Buddha image, believed to have originated in Sri Lanka 300 years ago.
The Buddha image's travels to its present location is clouded in myth.
View the exquisite woodcarvings on temple pillars and doors and northern
style murals. The mural paintings on the walls of temple depict the scenes
of Suwannahong and Sang Thong classic literature.
The highest point in Thailand is located at the peak of the Doi Inthanon
National Park. Rare, colorful floral plants that thrive in the year-round
chilled air are only found here at the peak Sites of interest include
the Inthanon Royal Project which promotes sustainable income to Karen
and Maew hill tribe by growing flowers and the Royal Pagodas dedicated
to H.R.H. the King and the Queen.
Early birds are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the sea of
mists in the early morning hours at the Huai Nam Dang National Park.
The park also has well maintained flowerbed landscapes and tribal villages.
Nearby at the Huai Nam Roo, visitors can stop by a Lisu hill
tribe
village or enjoy the tranquility of a coffee farm and fruit cultivation
center.
Only
36 km away from town is the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs amidst the
natural forest surroundings and verdant hills. The continuously boiling
water, with temperatures ranging from 90 to 100 Celsius, contains a high
content of sulfur, popular for its curative and restorative properties.
Private mineral water bathing rooms, a swimming pool, accommodations,
and dining facilities are available. Chiang Mai is Thailand's main
center for quality handicrafts. San Kamphaeng is also renowned
for its silk and handicraft products. Visitors can watch artisans working
in the outlying villages where authentic cottage industries thrive, particularly
along the Bo Sang-San Kamphaeng Road, lined with handicraft-producing
factories. Along this road is the famous umbrella village of Bo Sang where
young women manufacture and paint silk and cotton umbrellas and paper
parasols. This trade has been passed down for more than 200 years.
For those short on time, a visit to the Night Bazaar will
give you the advantage of viewing a variety of handicrafts without traveling
the distance. At night, the pavements of the Changklan Road are transformed
into a bazaar selling a wide range of goods besides handicraft products.
Popular Jungle treks, with duration of 2-7 days, take visitors
through forested mountains, high valleys, meadows, and terraced rice fields
to remote hill tribe settlements for overnight stays. Travel frequently
is a combination of foot, boat, elephant back, horseback or by jeep to
reach these high altitude domiciles. Guides are usually hill tribe youths
who can speak English, Thai and at least three tribal dialects. Such treks
usually occur in the mountainous areas surrounding the city, such as
Doi Ang Khang. Watch trained elephants demonstrate their highly
valued forestry skills as they perform at the Mae Sa Elephant Camp
from 09.30-11.00 hrs daily. After the show, hop on for a thrilling two-hour
jungle tour on elephant back. Close by is the Chiang Dao Cave,
a highly popular tourist attraction with a stream teeming with fish flowing
in front of the cave’s entrance. Within the cavern is Burmese-style Buddha
images and spectacular rock formations.
Chiang Mai's main Temples and other Attractions
Wat Suan Dok is on Suthep Road.
 The
temple was built in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch’s pleasure gardens
and is a favorite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunset.
Several of the white Chedi's 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.
Wat Prasat , located on Inthawarorot Road near Wat Phra Sing. The
temple houses traditional Lanna architecture chapel, the chapel roof is
decorated in colorful glasses and wooden craved lions. Wat Prasat houses
one of the rare Lanna arts’ Buddha image.
Wat Chedi Luang houses the largest Chedi in Chiang Mai. The temple
is located right in the middle of the city and was built in the reign
of King Saen Mueang Mak, the seventh king of Mengrai Dynasty. The 98-metre
tall and 54-metre wide Chedi was built in the reign of King Tilokkarat.
The construction was completed in 1481. In 1545 the Chedi was collapsed
due to an earthquake during the reign of King Jiraprapa. The chapel in
the front was built by Chao Khun Uba Lee Poramacharn (Sirichantathera)
and Chao Kaeo Navarat in 1928.
The magnificent methodological serpents ramble from the entrance of the
chapel to its door on both sides. It is believed that they are the most
beautiful manmade serpents in the north of Thailand.
Sao Inthakil or Sao Lak Muang , the city pillar was built
when the founder of Chiang Mai, King Mengrai governed the city in 1296.
It is located in front of Wat Chedi Luang and enshrined in a small Thai
chapel. The pillar is made of log and kept underground. The Khao Inthakil
or city pillar celebration is held annually in May.
Wat Phan Tao , located on Phra Pok Klao Road beside Wat Chedi Luang.
The temple was a throne hall for King Mahotara Prateth, thus the peacock
shaped doors were built. It is believed that peacock is a symbol of king.
Wat Ku Tao , it was formerly called Wat Veru Vanaram. The temple
is located in Tambon Sri Phum near Chiang Mai Stadium. It is noteworthy
for an unusual watermelon shaped pagoda, thus giving such name by the
locals. An exact period of its establishment is somewhat unknown, but
from a legend, the Ku Tao Chedi contains ashes of Prince Saravadee, the
son of King Bureng Nong who ruined Chiang Mai from 1579 to 1607.
Wat Saen Fang is located on Tha Phae Road. This is the old
temple, built in the Burmese architecture. The residence of the abbot
dating from more than 100 years is an interesting attraction in the temple
compound. King Intavitchayanontha, the seventh king who governed Chiang
Mai commanded to destroy the residence of Phra Chao Gavirorossurivongs
(Chao Chevit Ao), the sixth ruler of Chiang Mai.1877, later his former
residence was rebuilt in this temple. The celebration was held in 1878.
Wat Buppharam , located on Tha Phae Road, Muang district. The interesting
attractions include the Burmese architectural Chedi, the wooden craved
roof main chapel, and the local style wooden small chapel.
Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city that was built in the reign of
King Mengrai in 1286. The city was surrounded by ditches in every corner
and they were used as reservoirs. From the discoveries, there are 20 ancient
remains in and around Wiang Kum Kam include buildings and temples of Wat
Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham, Wat Noi, Wat Pu Pia, Wat Ku Koa, Wat E Kang,
Wat Hua Nong, and Wat Pu Song. The remains are dating from 21-22 Buddhist
centuries.
Presently, Wiang Kum Kam is located in the south east of Chiang Mai, between
Km.3-4 along Chiang Mai-Lamphun route, Tambon Wang Tan, Saraphi district.
It is situated near the east of the Mae Ping River.
Getting there by taking the road at Nong Hoi Police box to the Ko Klang
Pa Kluai intersection and en route to Chedi Liam Police box.
Wat Chedi Liam or Chedi Ku Kham ,the temple was built in
1288 in the reign of King Mengrai after he had authorized an administrative
responsibility of Lamphun town to his minister, Aey Fah. King Mengrai
established a town in the northeast of Chiang Mai for 5 years and then
resettled a town near the Mae Ping River in 1277 and renamed it “Wiang
Kum Kam”. In 1287, the stupa of Wat Jamthewi, Lamphun was rebuilt in Wiang
Kum Kam for the locals to worship.
After that for hundreds years, the temple was left abandoned. In 1908,
a Burmese tycoon renovated it, thus the temple has influences of Burmese
architecture instead of its former Khmer style. Only some parts were rebuilt
in Khmer architecture.
Wat Chedi Chet Yot or Wat Photaram Viharn, located on the
Super
 Highway
Road (Chiang Mai-Lampang), 4 kilometres from Chiang Mai town. It is one
of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai and was recently renovated. The interesting
attraction of this temple is the seven tapering finial stupa, which is
supported by lovely divine sculptures at its base. The most interesting
of all is that the stupa possesses architecture of the Phuttakaya stupa
in India. Besides, the stupa contains ashes of King Tilokkarat, the king
of Mengrai Dynasty who built this temple is worth a visit.
Chiang Mai National Museum is located on the Chiang Mai-Lampang
 Super
Highway near Wat Chet Yot. The distinctive building was built in modern
Lanna Thai architecture and features northern arts and culture. The museum
houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art, ancient Buddha images,
and war weapons. The area is peaceful and refreshing. It is open from
Wednesday to Sunday, 9.00 AM until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00 PM, and closed
on Mondays, Tuesdays and the national holidays. Contact tel. 0-5322-1308
for more information.
Wat U Mong , located on Suthep Road in the town. The spacious temple
was found in the reign in King Mengrai around 1296. It renovation was
done in the reign of King Keu Na. The large wall like building with a
connected tunnel inside is a remarkable piece of art is located in the
temple compound. A large stupa is located near the temple’s wall. Wat
U Mong is teemed with various kinds of trees, thus making it an ideal
meditation place.
Wat Phra Sing , located on Sam Lan Road, houses the revered Phra
 Phutthasihing
Buddha image cast in Subduing Mara. The
 Buddha image is now enshrined
in Vihan Lai Kham. During the Songkran festival, each April 13-15, people
process the most sacred Buddha image around Chiang Mai town for traditional
bathing. Formerly, this area was a Wat Li Chiang Market until 1345, King
Pa Yu, the fifth king of Mengrai Dynasty commanded to built this temple
and a 24-feet Chedi containing his father’s ashes. The temple compound
includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel featuring exquisite woodcarvings and
northern-style murals, a magnificent scriptural repository with striking
bas relief, and a circular stupa (in Lankan bell shape).
Kad Suan Kaeo Art & Cultural Centre , located in Kad Suan Kaeo
Shopping Mall. As the name indicates, it is a centre of art and cultural
performances. The Kad Suan Kaeo theatre is equipped with advanced technology
where numerous Thai and foreign shows are performed. For more information
contact, tel: 0-53 22-4333 ext. Kad Silpa.
Insect and Natural’s Wonders Museum has fascinating collection
of domestic and foreign insects including animal fossils. It is located
at 72 Nimmanhemin, Soi 12 (Sirimangkhlalachan Soi 3), Huai Kaeo, Mueang
district, tel: 0-5321-1891, fax: 0-5341-0916, E-mail: insects_museum@hotmail.com.
The Butterfly Garden. Thai orchid is renowned for its color and
beauty.
 The
butterfly and orchid garden in Chiang Mai features countless varieties
of exotic Thai orchids set in a plantation-like surrounding, where the
butterflies roam freely throughout the perimeter. The garden is ideal
for pastime recreation and discovery of the balance between plants and
living creatures.
The elephant camp just 60 kilometers north of Chiang Mai,
 is
a training center for elephants to learn skills in forestry, survival
and working in a rapidly modernizing world. Visitors will witness the
large creatures at work in their natural setting, and taking bath at the
beginning, middle and end of each day to keep them clean and healthy.
Enjoy personal interaction with the animal and watch them perform intelligent
tricks. You can also tour the wild forests that surround the camp on elephant
back.
The Golden Triangle. Located 9 km to the north of Chiang Saen is
the world-famous place where the borders of Thailand, Burma and
 Laos
meet. On the right is Laos PDR, and the triangle land on the left is the
Golden Triangle in Myanmar. You can stand at the very point where the
Rauk River from Burma flows into the Mekong.
The most beautiful and amazing view of the Golden Triangle can be seen
from a small hill where visitors can go up to that point by car. Just
enjoy the natural beauty and be proud that you have been to a widely-known
locality. Accommodations are available for tourists who want to stay over
night. Boats can be rented for trips along the Khong River.
Natural Beauty
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