Top 5 Attractions in Chiang Mai
Doi Inthanon National Park is an idyllic destination for nature enthusiasts with stunning viewpoints and trails, not to mention an abundance of reptiles and birds that inhabit its beautiful terrain.
Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, hike the Monk’s Trail to a hidden jungle temple and admire Bhubing Palace gardens before winding down your day with delicious local delicacies at Chang Phuak Night Market!
Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm
This charming greenhouse boasts butterflies, orchids, plants and flowers in addition to offering refreshments at its small cafe. Entrance fees do apply and all flower lovers should make time for this delightful spot!
Secret Garden Chiang Mai offers multilingual staff that speak English, Spanish and German for your comfort and enjoyment during their stay. Enjoy complimentary wireless internet access throughout their stay as well as private parking on site; English breakfast is also served each morning! With easy driving distance of Lamphun, Tube Trek Waterpark and Chiang Mai Airport as well as multiple shopping and dining destinations nearby this hotel makes the ideal choice to discover more of Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Botanic Garden
The Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, dedicated to Queen Mother, is only 30 minutes drive from Chiang Mai city and makes for a fantastic nature excursion. As a multi-purpose conservation center dedicated to botanical research and environmental protection, its main goals include botanical research. With many attractions for nature enthusiasts ranging from hill tribe medicinal plants exhibits to the 400 meter skywalk over Doi Mon Kwham Long; visitors will surely learn something while indulging in this massive botanical garden.
With over 7000 species in its collections, this garden is an immensely popular tourist attraction from all around the globe. There are multiple areas dedicated to various plant varieties – like its popular orchid garden or even where Buddha found enlightenment at Bodhi Tree!
The garden boasts several glasshouses that showcase plants from around the world, such as Savanna House, Orchid House and Carnivorous Plant House – plus many species indigenous to Thailand for added fun! There’s much to see and explore!
Hire a driver for an hour, half-day or full day at the Gardens to take you around all of their attractions – this is ideal if you don’t have access to your own vehicle and will save both time and money! This option provides convenient transportation without wasting precious vacation days waiting in line at attractions!
At the Botanic Garden, entry costs 50 Baht and you will receive a complimentary map when paying. Due to its immense size, covering it all may require multiple visits; to maximize your enjoyment make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water; there is also a food court on-site with staff that can help select what you eat!
Elephant Nature Park
Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary (BEES), about two hours drive from Chiang Mai, provides older or injured elephants from logging or tourist trekking who have found refuge here the ideal environment to spend their golden years. Watch as they frolic through the river while making friends with their mahouts – or walk across an elevated boardwalk to observe from above!
This family-run sanctuary, founded in 2015 and directed by Lek Chailert – an avid advocate for elephant rights – offers herds ample space and full medical attention, while females and young males form close-knit groups that allow them to resume their natural behavior.
Lek has placed animal welfare first and it shows. Visitors can stroll alongside herds of elephants as they forage in the forest or take mud baths; visitors can feed fresh fruit, rice-and-millet balls, or fresh fruit treats; interactions are limited – you may only touch an elephant if one comes up to you and even then only briefly; Lek recently stopped bathing the elephants as she believes they can take care of themselves by showering outdoors!
Lek and her staff have also established a program to give flood-affected dogs a second chance at life at this park.
Chiang Mai’s Teakwood Cafe is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m visiting, providing an escape from its hectic streets and providing an oasis of vines and trees as you climb its stairs up to its seating area. Chirping birds and its soothing waterfall provide a peaceful retreat from city traffic below while its delicious menu offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Baan Dam Museum
Baan Dam Museum stands out as an unconventional and slightly disconcerting exhibit by national artist Thawan Duchanee, boasting paintings, sculptures and displays of animal bones, skins and horns to convey a poignant message from their death naturally. Though assuring visitors of their natural death through explanations from museum personnel, visitors who love animals might find this display distressing.
The entire complex is dark and haunting, with each building decorated and furnished in animal remains to represent death and Duchanee’s interpretation of hell. He was an ardent Buddhist and many pieces in each building depict different aspects of samsara – life, death and rebirth – along with human traits such as greed and lust.
Discover exciting pieces like a throne seat crafted from black crocodile skin, reptilian horn table runners and Buddhist stupas reimagined with contemporary graffiti art at this must-visit destination in Chiang Rai. Despite the macabre subject matter, this place must be experienced!
From the clock tower, it should take around 30 minutes to reach the museum and is open daily from 9 am-5 pm.
As part of your Thai experience, why not visit Choui Fong Tea Plantation to sample local products and gain more knowledge about tea production? This family-owned enterprise is one of the biggest tea producers in Thailand.
Tea from this region is well-renowned for its quality, particularly Oolong and green varieties. Additionally, many believe it may help in protecting against cancer or other forms of diseases.
If you need a break from touring, there are plenty of activities in the area to entertain yourself with. Visit Kamlar Herbal Steam and have a relaxing massage before visiting one of Thana Lai Road’s night markets for some shopping spree fun!
Bangkok can be reached in approximately 200 kilometres or five hours’ driving from Chiang Mai. Known for its spicy cuisine and unique mix of Thai and western culture, Bangkok will surely impress visitors to Thailand!