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MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ARE :
Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
Chiang Mai Cultural Centre at the beginning of Chiang
Mai-Hang Dong road has an excellent collection of
Lanna Thai art, and displays of traditional northern
culture. A spectacular folk dance is performed while
the typical northern dinner “Khan Tok”
is served. The Khan Tok comprises Kaeng Hang Le,
a gingery pork curry; the chilli-tomato-minced pork
dip called Nam Phrik Ong; and the crunchy pieces
of pork scratching, or Kaep Mu, for dipping into
the rich gravy. Enjoyable tribal shows of Karen,
Hmong, Lahu, Akha, Mien and Lisu are performed after
dinner from 19.00 to 22.00 hrs. For more information,
contact tel. 0-5327-4 540, 0-5327-5097.
Chiang Mai National Museum
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 area is peaceful and refreshing. It is open
from Wednesday to Sunday, 09.00-16.00 hrs. and closed
on Mondays, Tuesdays and the national holidays.
Contact tel. 0-5322-1308 for more information.
Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Zoo is located next to Huai Kaeo Arboretum.
It is a well-managed large zoo, which occupies the
lower forested slopes of Doi Suthep Mountain. The
zoo contains more than 200 types of Asian and African
mammals and birds. It is open everyday from 08.00
to 19.00 hrs. Admission fee for adult is 100 baht,
and children fee is 20 baht. Restaurants and a camping
site are available. For advance booking contact
tel. 0-5322-1179, 0-5322-2283.
Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park
Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park , the superb landscaped
national park covers an area of 262 square kilometres
of Amphoe Mae Rim, Amphoe Hang Dong, and Amphoe
Mueang. The park consists of verdant forests and
mountain ranges.
Major mountains include Doi Suthep, Doi Buak Ha,
and Doi Pui. This is a main source of tributaries
and streams in Chiang Mai. Sacred places, religious
attractions and historical sites are located in
the park complex.
To get to the park
office, drive from Chiang Mai town for 5 kilometres
on the Huai Kaeo-Chiang Mai University-Chiang Mai
Zoo route to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep en route to
the intersection on the right, the Doi Suthep-Pui
National Park road sign will be seen.
Attractions
in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Doi Pui Tribal Village is a Hmong tribal
village some 3 kilometres on an asphalt road from
Phu Phing Palace. The village presents the typical
lifestyle of the Hmong as well as a scenic view
of Doi Inthanon, the highest peak of Thailand. The
trip takes only an hour from Chiang Mai town and
the village is easily accessible.
Huai Kaeo Waterfall is located 6 kilometres from
Chiang Mai town. The 10-metre cascade provides a
delightful ambiance of scenic views and various
plants.
Huai Kaeo
Arboretum
Huai Kaeo Arboretum is next to Chiang Mai University.
The attractively landscaped garden contains many
kinds of tropical trees and lovely flowers. It is
best for recreation, exercise, and plants study.
Insect and Natural’s Wonders
Museum
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.
Kad Suan
Kaeo Art & Cultural Centre
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 5322 4333 ext. Kad Silpa.
Khru Ba Siwichai Monument
Khru Ba Siwichai Monument is situated at the foot
of Doi Suthep Mountain. The monument honours the
devoted Buddhist monk whose followers built the
first 10-kilometre motor road to Wat Phra That Doi
Suthep in 1935.
Phu Phing Palace
Phu Phing Palace is located on the same road, 4
kilometres beyond Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, on Doi
Buak Ha. The royal winter palace was built in 1962.
The lavishly landscaped gardens and grounds are
open to the general public on Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday and official holidays, when the Thai
royal family is not in residence.
Sao Inthakil or Sao Lak Muang
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 Buppharam
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.
Wat Chedi Chet Yot
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.
Wat Chedi Liam or Chedi Ku Kham
Wat Chedi Liam or Chedi Ku Kham ,the temple was
built in 1288 in the reign of King Mengrai after
he had authorised 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 Luang
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.
Wat Chiang
Man
Wat Chiang Man is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple
and probably dates from 1296. King Mengrai allegedly
lived here while the new city of Chiang Mai was
constructed. The temple is located within the walled
city on Ratchaphakhinai Road. It is noteworthy for
a chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses
and a beautiful chapel . Enshrined in the temple
are a tiny crystal Buddha called Phra Kaeo Khao,
which is thought to have the power to bring rain.
Another image, called Phra Sila Khao, reflects the
fine workmanship of Indian craftsmen from thousands
of years ago.
Wat Ku Tao
Wat Ku Tao , it was formerly called Wat Veru Vanaram.
The temple is located in Tambon Sri Phum near Chiang
Mai Satdium. 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 Phan Tao
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 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).
Wat Phra
That Doi Noi
Wat Phra That Doi Noi is in Tambon Doi Lo, Amphoe
Chom Thong along Highway No.108 between Km. 43 and
44. The temple was built by Queen Jamathewi in 658
AD. During excavations, numerous marble Buddha images,
Buddha image containers, and a chapel were discovered.
The hilltop temple allows visitors to glance the
scenic beauty of the Mae Ping River and surrounding
hills and valleys. The temple is approachable on
foot by climbing 241 steps.
Wat Phra
That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai’ most
important and visible landmark, and overlooks the
city from its forested mountain backdrop. This temple
is 15 kilometres from town , 3,520 feet above sea
level, and dates from 1383. The temple is approached
on foot by climbing a steep Naga staircase comprising
290 steps.
The less energetic may ascend by funicular railcars.
The temple’s pagoda contains holy Buddha relics,
and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the
world throughout the year. The temple compound offers
an exhilarating view of Chiang Mai city and surrounding
countryside.
Wat Prasat
Wat Prasat , located on Inthawarorot Road near Wat
Phra Sing. The temple houses traditional Lanna architecture
chapel, the chapel roof is decorated in colourful
glasses and wooden craved lions. Wat Prasat houses
one of the rare Lanna arts’ Buddha image.
Wat
Saen Fang
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 Suan
Dok
Wat Suan Dok is on Suthep Road. The temple was built
in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch’s pleasure
gardens and is a favourite spot for photographers,
particularly for striking sunset. Several of the
white chedis 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 U Mong
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.
Wiang Kum Kam
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.
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