The ancient city of Chiang Mai has plenty of attractions of historical, cultural, natural and contemporary interest. These can be visited on walking tours, by joining a specific tour or exploring under your own steam with a rented bike. Sightseeing in Chiang Mai is a popular activity, with plenty to be seen.Starting in the Old Town you can follow the square mile perimeter of Chiang Mai’s unique 700 year old moat, with its pretty environs, impressive corner bastions and five rebuilt city gates. Within here you’ll find the charming lanes of a traditional Thai city, complete with hundreds of beautiful Thai temples whose architecture reflects the various eras that have influenced the city over the centuries. Tourist information and maps can be picked up from agents across the city
The most famous of the temples is Wat Chedi Luang, with its ruined 42m 16th Century chedi which was topped from an original height of 92m during an earthquake in 1545. Nearby is Wat Pan Tao, constructed entirely from teak. Another highly regarded temple is Wat Pha Singh, which displays a classic Lanna style and is home to a valuable Sinhalese Buddha. Wat Chiang Man, in the northeast corner of the old town is the city’s oldest and dates from the early 14th century. In fact, touring Chiang Mai by yourself, you can simply wander the city and chance upon all sorts of gaudy temples, with several interesting examples along Thapae road. The recently restored Wat Lookmooli outside the northwest side of the moat has a well preserved and enormous chedi and lovely viharn. Presiding over Chiang Mai from the 1300m peak of Doi Suithep, west of the city is Wat Phra That Doi Suithep, which was founded in the 14th century and is one of the most reverred in all of Thailand. It has an impressive gilded chedi in a serene courtyard and certainly attracts the crowds. It sits inside a wonderful national park and boasts fantastic views of the valley. Exploring the park, it’s waterfalls and nature trails or lookout points is highly recommended for day trips touring Chiang Mai.
Also outside of the city, northwards, is the fun-filled Mae Sa Valley, set among mountainous landscape. Here you’ll find an array of attractions and activities which includes the Elephant camp, Mae Sa Waterfall, Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, bungee Jumping, ATV rides, a dog show, snake farm, money show and orchid nurseries.
Also outside of the city, northwards, is the fun-filled Mae Sa Valley, set among mountainous landscape. Here you’ll find an array of attractions and activities which includes the Elephant camp, Mae Sa Waterfall, Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, bungee Jumping, ATV rides, a dog show, snake farm, money show and orchid nurseries.
Wiang Khum Kham is know as ‘the Atlantis of Lanna’ – being the excavated ruins of a previous settlement southeast of the city which was abandoned due to flooding of the Ping river. It has a useful information centre, striking Burmese styled chedi, and is best explored on bicycle.
The Chiang Mai Night Safari is the city’s newest attraction, situated on more than 150 acres of land southwest of the city. Resembling an African safari and open day and night, visitors can see African animals in wild environments and enjoy the impressive facilities in this themed park. Nearby is the 60 acrelandscaped gardens of Royal Ratchaphruek Ground which hosts a massive floral expo during November 2006 to Jan 2007 in honour of His Majesty King Rama XI’s 60 year reign.The Night bazaar is another famous Chiang Mai tourist attraction which attract bargain hunters nightly and presents some of the best value and widest range of any market in Thailand. The Ping River itself is an attraction and lined with entertainment venues, while markets, chedis, monuments and temples can be found scattered across the city.
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