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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