An introduction to Chiang Mai - Rose of the North

Accessibility	The Land of Beauty	Attractions of Chiang Mai
By road 696 km. from Bangkok, taking the Asia Highway (BKK to Nakhon Sawan), Highway No.1 (Nakhon Sawan to Thoen District, Lampang Province), then use Highway No.106 to (Chiang Mai town), about 9 hrs. drive. Daily coach services from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal. By air (1hr.), several flights daily. By rail (751 km. about 13 hrs.), daily service. See Useful Calls Bangkok for phone numbers.	Warm hospitality and good manners.....the land of fascinating, mist-shrouded mountain scenery and fertile valleys....the land of religion with nearly 1,100 Buddhist temples....and the land of Thai art and handicrafts. These are some attractions you can find in Chiang Mai, an old city of 700 years which still retains its natural charm and old culture. If you have a chance to visit this paradise on earth, you will understand why people call it " The Rose of the North."	Native Dance The numerous places of interest in Chiang Mai can be conveniently grouped into the following routes, each easily accessible by car and covered within one day:
City Tour
Among the places most worthy of visiting in Chiang Mai are its centuries-old Wat's ( Buddhist temples ). To name a few: Wat Chiang Man, the oldest Wat (built around 1296 A.D.) famous for its ancient and invaluable Buddha image Phra Kaeo Khao. Wat Phra Sing, which houses the North's most revered Buddha statue Phra Sing presumably aged over 1,000 years. Wat U-Mong, which is particularly shady and is unique in its tunnel-like construction. Wat Ku Toa with a thousand-year-old chedi (pagoda) decorated with coloured porcelain pieces. Wat Suan Dok, in which is enshrined a 500-year-old bronze Buddha image, one of the most beautiful and largest metal images in the North. Wat Chedi Luang, where the City Pillar Shrine is located, is famous for its Chedi measuring 282 feet high and 144 feet wide. Its spire collapsed in 1002 because of an earthquake.		Temple Buddha Image
Doi Suthep Route
climb these steps to get to the temple	A tour along this route begins with a visit to Wat Chet Yot (Wat Photharam) whose pagoda is in the same style as the one in Buddha Gaya in India, Chiang Mai National Museum where works of art of Lanna-Thai are kept, then on to the Tribal Research Centre in Chiang Mai University where a collection of interesting cultural objects of northern hill tribes are displayed, Chiang Mai Zoo where, on 531 rai (210 acres) of woody land at the foot of Doi Suthep, one can see a lot of fauna and flora, both native and foreign, Huai Kaeo Cascade, a pleasant place for picnics and the statue to Khru Ba Siwichai, a most reverend monk who constructed the road up to Wat Phra That on Mpunt Doi Suthep.
Then visitors can follow the zigzag road up the mountain to Wat Phra That, where a relic of the Buddha is enshrined. Six kms. from Wat Phra That further up the mountain stands the Royal Winter Palace (Bhubing Palace) with plenty of colourful, exotic flowers. It is open on Fridays, weekends and public holidays, except when the Royal Family is in residence, usually in January. Then the tour ends with a visit to the Meo (Hmong) village at Doi Pui to see the life of the tribesmen and to buy souvenirs from them.
Mae Rim-Samoeng Route	Bosang-Sankamphaeng Route	Doi Chiang Dao Route
Park The most popular places on this route which tourists should not miss are Elephants at Work & Elephant Camp, and a beautiful waterfall called Mae Sa Other attractive places are the two orchid nurseries, the Mae Sa Meo Village and private resorts whose flowery surroundings impress every visitor.	Weaver at work Bosang and Sankampaeng are among the old tourist spots of Chiang Mai which got fame for their fine products-umbrellas, Thai silk and cotton. Nowadays this route is dotted with manufacturing centres of silverware, wood carving, ceramics, weaving and embroidery as well. After shopping in this area, it is advisable to go further to Muang-on Cave, where there is a 1-million-year-old fossilized teak tree and to Sankampaeng hot spring where rooms for mineral bathing are provided.	Elephant Trekking Visit colourful flower-ornamented Maw Taeng Dam and Young Elephants Training Centre, where tourists can watch elephants at work and take a short trip on elephant-back into the forest. Then go over to the biggest and well-known Chiang Doa Cave with a mysterious legend.

Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Route
Ob Luang Gorge	The route leads to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain of Thailand, standing 2,563.3 meters above sea level. Doi Inthanon is a national park, covering an area of 1,005 km².,which offers charming mountainous scenery. Attractions along the way include: Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre where cultural performances are given and objects d'art are on display, Kritsada Doi, a garden where hundreds of species of exotic flowers are grown and elaborately arranged,
Mai Klang Falls and Wachirathan Falls, two of the biggest and best known waterfalls of Thailand, Siriphum Falls whose name was derived from the first elements of the names of Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol, the Twin Royal Pagodas which command a wide absorbing view of the mountains and valleys below, Borichinda Cave which is ideal for picnics, and a thousand-year-old wild rose plant near the N.P. Protection Unit on the summit. If there is time available, visitors can make a side-trip to Mae Ya Falls, a most beautiful fall in Chiang Mai which can be accessed by minibus in the dry season only, and Ob Luang Gorge with a steep river valley amid scenic mountains and teak forests.
Shopping	Eating Out
Among Chiang Mai's best buys are silk, cotton, silverware, nielloware, wood carvings, ceramics and other kinds of handicrafts. The shops are mostly scattered on Mae-on Road (Sankampaeng), Wualai Road, Nantharam Road and Chang Khlan Road. The goods are also available at the famous Night Bazaar located in the heart of the city.	Chiang Mai delicacies include hang-le curry, ho curry, sai-ua (Chiang Mai sausage), mu-yo (pork sausage), naem (pork sausage with lime and chilli) and many kinds of naem-prik (a shrimp paste sauce with chilli) to be eaten with crispy deep fried pork skin and fresh vegetables. A great way to enjoy Chiang Mai food and dance is to have a khantok dinner which is served in leading hotels and restaurants.	Mae Ya Falls
Transportation
Airport, Train & Bus Terminals to Town Most hotels provide free transportation from the Chiang Mai airport, railway station and bus terminal to their hotels. There is also a mini-bus (or song thaeo in Thai) service between the airport and town. Check the correct fare at the T.A.T. airport counter.	In Town: Mini-buses Tell the destination to the driver before getting on. For the municipal area, the fare is 5 Baht per person. But for a long journey, the price should be negotiated first.	Motor Samlos & Tricycles Fares to be negotiated.
Buses Several buses provide services along routes throughout the city. The fare is 3 Baht for ordinary buses and 5 Baht for air- conditioned buses.	Out of Town There are mini-buses to Doi Suthep, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Sankampaeng and Bo Sang, also buses to nearby provinces such as Chiang Rai, Lamphun and Lampang. Ask your hotel or T.A.T. for details. Mini-buses or taxies can also be hired at a negotiated price.	Motorbikes and Private Cars can be hired from a car rental company.