| Visitors to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand come | | | | treatment. |
| for the quaint, unhurried pace of life, the bargain | | | | Chiang Mai Zoo |
| shopping and the potential to break out on | | | | Don't be surprised if a local asks you if you've |
| retreats into the mountains and jungle with a | | | | visited the zoo yet—most likely, they're |
| trekking trip. Whatever your reason for coming, | | | | wondering if you've seen the pair of pandas which |
| Chiang Mai promises plenty of opportunities for | | | | are on loan from China, an endless source of pride |
| excitement, relaxation and historic journeys into | | | | for locals. These are only two of the more than |
| the city's past. | | | | 6,000 animals on display at the zoo which sits at |
| A trip to Mae Sa | | | | the base of Suthep Mountain, from where there |
| A 30-minute drive to Mae Sa is a fun event for | | | | are wonderful views of the city. |
| the entire family, as the area is packed with | | | | Courses and training |
| activities. Tourists venture out for the orchid | | | | Chiang Mai overflows with all sorts of courses in |
| nurseries; the well-known Elephant Camp where | | | | which tourists can enrol for only a few days or |
| visitors can ride elephants and watch | | | | weeks at a time. Due to the affordable prices and |
| performances including a football match played by | | | | the comfortable atmosphere in Chiang Mai, visitors |
| elephants; a snake farm and bungee jumping. | | | | are tempted to dig in and stay a while. So |
| Finally, the Mae Sa Waterfall offers a place to | | | | whether you're looking to learn the art of Thai |
| relax or perhaps go hiking. | | | | massage, perfect your Thai cooking skills or study |
| Chiang Mai Night Bazaar | | | | Thai boxing, you'll find it here for every level and |
| Chiang Mai is well-known for its handicrafts, silk | | | | length of time. When in Thailand this is highly |
| and large markets. This all comes to a focus at | | | | recommended. |
| the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, a veritable shopper's | | | | The Old City |
| dream. Stretching the entire length of Chang Klan | | | | A tour of the Old City is easily done on foot or |
| road, this market has become more of a tourist's | | | | by bike, and is the best way to come |
| domain than it once was. Here you'll find an | | | | face-to-face with Chiang Mai's legacy. Portions of |
| assortment of jewellery, clothing, antiques, silver, | | | | the old wall were restored in the 19th century, |
| all manners of souvenirs and knock-off designer | | | | and the 700-year-old moat that surrounds the |
| items. It's open every evening until midnight. This | | | | city has been beautifully preserved. The city |
| is where you’ll find many of Chiang Mai hotels. | | | | gates have also been restored, and each marks |
| Doi Inthanon National Park | | | | an important commercial avenue in or out of the |
| Situated south of Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National | | | | city. Temples are spread across the entire Old |
| Park is a unique wildlife preserve and often makes | | | | City, and some of the more important include |
| for a comfortable cool weather retreat after | | | | Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phrasingh and Wat Chiang |
| spending time in the city. It's the tallest mountain | | | | Mai. |
| in Thailand at a grand height of 8,415 feet. | | | | Adventure sports |
| Camping is permitted in the park and the natural | | | | Any number of adventure sports can be |
| surroundings make for an excellent getaway. This | | | | organised through travel agencies in Chiang Mai. |
| is one of the best places for trekking in Northern | | | | Some of the more popular outings include |
| Thailand. | | | | white-water rafting on the Mae Tang River, which |
| Wat Phratat Doi Suthep | | | | is 1 hour, 30 minute drive out of town; mountain |
| Overlooking the Old City of Chiang Mai, the | | | | biking on Doi Suthep with the added bonus of |
| mountain of Doi Suthep holds one of Thailand's | | | | spending time at the temple if you make it all the |
| most sacred temples. The 300-stair climb leads | | | | way to the top, and rock climbing at Crazy Horse |
| you to the large chedi and golden spire. This large | | | | Buttress. There's also an outdoor climbing wall |
| temple complex dates back to the 14th century | | | | located to one side of the Night Bazaar. Trekking |
| and the view of the city achieved from the | | | | in Chiang Mai is perhaps the biggest drawcard |
| marble courtyard is worth the trip alone. No trip | | | | Trekking Northern Thailand |
| to Chiang Mai is complete without visiting Doi | | | | It's impossible to list the major attractions of |
| Suthep. Ask the concierge at the hotels for | | | | Chiang Mai without mentioning trekking. Tour guide |
| assistance getting up there, it’s one of the | | | | operators use the city as a springboard from |
| most important in Thailand. | | | | which to organise trips into the surrounding |
| Thai massage and spas | | | | mountainous jungles. Expeditions are packed with |
| Places to get a massage can literally be found on | | | | a variety of activities and range from daytrips to |
| almost every street of the Old City, and prices | | | | several night journeys that include hiking, elephant |
| range depending on quality and accessibility. Thai | | | | riding and bamboo rafting. Routes are planned |
| massage is world-renown, and some of the most | | | | around hill tribe villages, where overnight |
| skilled masseurs can be found in the more upscale | | | | accommodation is provided. Trekking is the best |
| spas, which also offer body scrubs and detox and | | | | way to see rural Northern Thailand. |
| beautification treatments. Even at these high-end | | | | Remember to book your Chiang Mai hotels early |
| facilities, the money spent is still fantastic value | | | | in the high season. |
| when compared to the superb quality of the | | | | |