Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional heritage that dig deep into the soil of time. It's a city with a beautiful cultural personality of its own. In addition, it's been blessed with much majestic beauty in nature. The people themselves are an unforgettable part of Chiang Mai. Handicrafts of silk, silver and wood are timeless souvenirs for visitors from all over the globe.

Wat Phra Singh Sam Lan Road

This lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each April 3-15 when people bathe the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image. The temple compound includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarvings and northern-style murals, and a magnificent scriptural repository with striking has relief.

Wat Suan Temple Dok Suthep Road

This temple was built in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch's pleasure gardens and is a favourite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunsets. Several 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 Chiang Man Temple Ratchaphakkinai Road

This is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was the residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai, and is noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses, and a small ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeow Khaow.

Wat Chedi Luang Temple Phrapokklao Road

This temple is the site of an enormous pagoda, originally 280 feet high, and which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. At one time, Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha image now enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. A magnificent Naga staircase adorns the chapel's front porch.

Wat Chet Yot Temple Super Highway

North of the Huai Kaew-Nimmanhemin Roads intersection This temple dates from 1458. The seven-spired square chedi was inspired by designs at Bodhagaya, the site of the Buddha's Enlightenment in north India over 2,500 years ago, and was built by Lanna Thai architects after visiting the holy site.

Wat U-Mong Temple Suthep Road

This delightful meditation temple is completely different from Chiang Mai's other major temples and enjoys a bu-colic forest setting. The ancient chedi is of particular interest.

Wat Ku Tao Temple near Chiang Mai Stadium

This temple is noteworthy for an unusual bulbous pagoda. The structure is decorated with colourful porcelain chips and is believed to represent five Buddhist monks' alms bowls which symbolise five Lord Buddhas.

Chiang Mai Museum Beside Wat Chet Yot

This temple is noteworthy for an unusual bulbous pagoda. The structure is decorated with colourful porcelain chips and is believed to represent five Buddhist monks' alms bowls which symbolise five Lord Buddhas.

Trekking

Meo, Lisu, Yao, Akha, Lawa and Karen hilltribes live throughout northern Thailand's mountains. They share animist beliefs and honour numerous forest and guardian spirits. Each tribe has distinctive ceremonial attire, courtship rituals, games, dances, agricultural customs, puberty rites, languages or dialects, aesthetic values and hygienic habits.

Popular 'Jungle Treks', lasting from 2 to 7 days, take visitors through forested mountains and high valleys and meadows, and include visits to remoter high-altitude hilltribe settlements for overnight stays. The best guides are Prospective trekkers are advised to shop around companies offering such tours for the best conditions. All treks must be registered with the Tourist Police. This is done for trekkers' protection. Avoid companies that do not abide by this law. Visitors are welcome to enquire from the Tourism Police to confirm which tour companies have negative or bad reputations. Also, avoid narcotics, essentially everything from 'soft drugs' such as marijuana to 'hard drugs' such as opium and heroin, both during travel and at hilltribe villages. There are severe penalties for such usage. Valuables, such as passport, jewelry and money, should be deposited in the safe of your hotel or guest house while you are trekking upcountry.

Wear sensible clothing to protect your limbs and sleep under a mosquito net at night. Malaria is a real threat, and sensible precautions should be taken to avoid it.

Visitors should remember to a) Respect hilltribe beliefs and religious symbols and structures. b) Dress modestly. Hilltribe people are generally modest. Inappropriate attire may offend them. c) Ask permission before photographing someone. Some villages do not permit photography. d) Avoid trading western medicines and articles of clothing. Contributions to their welfare, items such as pens, paper, needles, thread, cloth and material used for embroidery are perfectly acceptable. Trek prices are determined by the duration of the trip, transportation modes, meals available and the size of the trekking party.

Four Wheel Drive Safaris

This popular new activity features exciting trips by Land Rover between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, taking five days and four nights, or Chiang Rai and Ken Thun in Myanmar, taking three days and two nights. Much of the journey is along dirt roads and tracks so that visitors can witness out-of-the-way areas. Accommodation is in forest lodges or basic hotels.

Bird Watching

Although bird-watching has been a popular activity among Thais for many years, it is only relatively recently that overseas visitors have recognized the potential of this fascinating pastime. In total, almost one thousand different species of birds - some local, others migrating here- have been spotted in Thailand. Most of Thailand's national parks offer good opportunities for bird-watching such as Khao Yai National Park, Kaeng Krachan in Petchburi and Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai province.

Each morning, at Km 10 on the Mae Rim-Samoeng route, trained elephants demonstrate their formidable and highly-valued forestry skills from 9.30 until 11.00 AM, at the Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre. The centre is some 30 kilometres from town. Admission is 80 baht per person. A jungle tour on elephant back, lasting more than two hours through adjacent forests, is offered after the show and costs 250 baht per person. Elephants can also be seen at the Pong Yaeng Elephant Centre at KM 19 on the same route.

Taeng Dao Elephant Camp

This riverside enclave, at KM 56 on Highway 107, features daily shows of elephants at work, from 9.00 AM until 10.00 AM, and from 10.00 AM until 11.00 AM, and offers elephant rides, and opportunities for bucolic river-rafting through largely pristine and tranquil forests, or jungle treks to neighbouring hilltribe settlements.

Northern Thailand is characterized largely by forested mountains, where working elephants are still used in forest management. This mountainous region is home to Thailand's many colorful hilltribe people, and trekking and river rafting enable adventurous exploration of this beautiful area. Chiang Mai is the principal norhtern city and is a good base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.

Doi Inthanon National Park

The 1,005 - square - kilometre park covers Thailand's highest mountain (2,565 metres). The lovely Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Pan waterfalls share the mountain with Meo and Karen hilltribe settlements. Forest above 1,800 metres is covered with lichens and wild orchids.

Mae Klang Waterfall

Chiang Mai's most photographed waterfall lies some 58 kilometres west of the city at the foot of Doi Inthanon Mountain, and provides a picturesque setting for picnics and relaxation.

Chaing Mai Borichinda Cave

Visiting the cave, which provides a pleasant setting for picnics, entails a 10-minute drive and a walk of some 2 hours from the Mae Klang Waterfall.

Mae Ya Waterfall

This is located 12 kilometres from Chom Thong market and is best visited by local mini-bus.

Ob Luang Gorge

This picturesque gorge is 88 kilometres from Chiang Mai provincial capital, and is framed by teak forests and mountains.

National Parks

Increasing numbers of visitors now come to Chiang Mai in search of the natural environment preserved a famous national parks. Famous national park in Chiang Mai is Doi Inthanon,the highest mountain in Thailand. In most cases, you will find easy access and bungalow accommodation for overnight stays

When speaking of shopping in Chiang Mai, one must consider, along with the everyday necessities, the many handicrafts that are part of the city's history. Made with workmanship skill that have been passed down from generation to generation, these beautiful crafts are a good representation of Chiang Mai's proud Lanna heritage.

Bor Sang and Sankampaeng Area (Highway 1006)

This road serves as the location to the largest amount and the most popular of handicraft factories. and shops in Chiang Mai. It begins at the Chiang Mai - Sankampaeng intersection and continues to the Sankampaeng district at k.m. 13. It is lined on both sides by showrooms and factories where you have the opportunity to observe the production of crafts, as well as purchase them. Thai silk, cotton, lacquerware, ceramics, leather products, silverware, umbrellas, woodwork, jewelry, and antiques can all be found along this road. Due to the increased shortage of antiques, artists have turned to creating replicas of old antiques which portray the same beauty and characteristics as the genuine ones. There is no attempt to pass off these neo-antiques as genuine. The famous Bor Sang Village, which sells umbrellas and woodcarvings, is also located on this road.

Umbrellas

made of sa paper, hilltribe crafts with bold colors,fabrics of countless types, delicate ceramics, replicated and genuine antiques, dazzling jewelry and gems, silverware of all sorts, lacquerware with intricate designs, rattan and wickerwork, and woodcarvings ranging from pictures to furniture are only a part of the long list of crafts and arts that help to make Chiang Mai special. Each individual piece of workmanship requires paints taking attention to detail and design in the process of its creation. Owning one of Chiang Mai's tradition crafts is a sure way to take back tangible memories of your visit to Chiang Mai. Whatever it is you are looking for-be it a keychain or Thai silk - Chiang Mai offers the shopping facillities for you to find a buy that you will be pleased with.

Cottons & Silks

first-class Chiang Mai cottons and silks are of incomparable quality. Cottons and silkshave innumerable fashion and furnishing applications. The largest possible selection is available in San Kamphaneg.

Furniture/Woodcarving

Chiang Mai is a major centre of furniture making. Major woods and materials include teak, rosewood and rattan. Items may be unadorned or, especially with teak and rosewood, artfully carved in traditional or modern designs. Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous temples. In recent years, wood carving has increasingly embellished furniture, gracing screens, chairs, tables, beds, indeed anything bearing a wooden surface large enough to be carved. Carved elephants, figurines and tableware number among other popular purchases.

Lacquerware

striking black and gold designs give Lacquerware its visual appeal and sheen. This decorative art enhances items made of wood, bamboo, metal, paper and baked clay, in the form of receptacles, ornaments and various souvenirs.

Night Bazaar

The Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Rd. is probably the largest center for the selling of all sorts of crafts in Chiang Mai. A good place to shop if you are pressed for time-the selection is astounding! The Night Bazaar originated as a three story building, and later expanded to be the busy mosaic of department stores, shops, and vendors that it is today.

Markets

Visiting one of Chiang Mai's markets is a good way to observe the local Thai people, as well as get to know them. It is also an excellent place to improve your bargaining skills. Chiang Mai markets are one of a kind, and quite unlike anything you would expect to find in your home country. You can find almost anything at these ld style markets which sell everything from spices to fresh meat. There are several of these markets in Chiang Mai, including the Ton Lamyai, the Warorot, which is famous for its variety of preserved fruits; the Sanpakoi, and the Chiang Mai Gate markets.

Hang Dong Area

This area begins at the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong intersection, and continues until the k.m. 15 post marker. This area is best known for its many antique shops. There are also wood carving, lacquerware, ceramic, silver, and bamboo craft stores along this route. In addition, on k.m. 15 of this road, lies Tawai Village, which is famous for its woodwork. It is a good place to observe carvings and neo-antiques being made, as well as being sold at cheap, wholesale prices.

Wualai Road

This road is famous for being home to generations of silversmiths. It is here that much silverware is produced and sent to shops all over the city to be sold. If you are in search of high quality, Chiang Mai style silverware with expert workmanship, then this is the place to visit. In addition to silver, there is also lacquerware, antiques, ceramics, and silk available on this road.

Villages

As for those who desire to observe crafts being made in their traditional surroundings, the different craft villages are a good place to visit. Apart from the umbrella villageof BorSang, and the Tawai woodcarving village, there is also the rattan and wickerwork of HongDong, the ceramic village of Muangkung, and the cotton village of Nong Aab Chang and Baan Rai Pai Ngam which specializes in natural dyes. These village also give the opportunity for a good bargain.

Hilltribe Products

These include silver ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, pendants, hairpins and pipes of intricate design, and embroidered items including tunics, jackets, purses, bags, caps and dress lengths.

Gold Plated Orchids & Butterflies

Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated with 24-carat gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.

Everyday Necessities

Department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and most of the streets of Chiang Mai sell the everyday necessities that you need. Most will have anything from shampoo to bread for sale. The prices at these stores are fixed.

Kantoke Dinner

It is also possible to sample Northen dishes at one of the "Kantoke Dinner" in Chiang Mai. At this event, visitors are seated on the floor around a circular tray with Northern dishes on it and eat while watching traditional Thai and Northen dances and hilltribe culture shows. Kantoke Dinner provides a good way to get to know both the Northen food and culture at the same time.

Khaosoi

First sampled this for Chiang Mai's food. Noodles in curry gravy with hot, sweet and lemon taste.

Nam Prik Ong

Food eaten with vegetables, pork cracklings or deep-fried crunchy rice cakes, this can also be served with plain white rice as a meat dish.