2 Nights in chiang mai
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extend your stay in any of the following destinations: |
Chiang Mai lies on the Ping River, nestled among high mountains in the north of Thailand, around 700 kilometres north of Bangkok.
It is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. There are over 300 Buddhist Temples in this city - as many as all of Bangkok, and the city has a peaceful and traditional feel to it. Many Thai's regard the city as a somewhat mystical, however it is these days a modern city with all the trimmings but has managed to retain it's cultural roots.
The nightlife is quieter than other Thai centres although the city is starting to get quite a few trendy bars and restaurants in recent years.
Chiang Mai has been known as a gateway for mountain trekking. Tour companies take visitors along trails in nearby forests and hills visiting the local tribes.
Many of the tours take place on elephants offering unforgettable experiences.
Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels.
The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town.
Despite the fact that Chiang Mai has a tropical climate, it is cooler than any other parts of Thailand as it is located amidst the mountains and influenced by the southwest monsoon arriving from India.
Doi Suthep
Gleaming like a northern star from the heights of Doi Suthep (the regal mountain overlooking the city from the northwest) is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand and, as such, large numbers of Thais and foreigners come to experience the special magic of this holy place. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is an impressive embodiment of the Lanna (northern Thai) culture with its origins dating back almost 700 years. The temple is open from 06:00 to 20:00 every day, but it is usually crowded on weekends and holidays. |
Zoo - Aquarium
Covering 200 acres of land in the foothills of Doi Suthep and providing excellent views of the city in addition to fascinating wildlife exhibits, Chiang Mai Zoo is certainly worth a visit. Nearly 400 species of animal are kept at the zoo, including elephants, tigers, chimpanzees, hippopotami and rhinoceroses. The zoo also features outstanding special attractions such as the walk through the aviary, a fascinating freshwater aquarium and the zoo's stars – Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, two young pandas and their offspring Lin Ping, the first ever panda born in Thailand. |
Bo Sang Village
The handcrafting of umbrellas and parasols in Bo Sang Village is known throughout the country and even abroad so much so that the umbrella has become one of the symbols of Chiang Mai. Here, you'll find plenty of hand-painted umbrellas, tiny cocktail umbrellas, large parasols for gardens or patios and other handmade products – all made from sa paper (produced from the bark of the mulberry tree.) in various designs and at reasonable prices. The skills involved are outstanding and have been handed down throughout generations. Bo Sang is less than 10km from downtown Chiang Mai. |
Wat Chedi Luang
Built sometime between 1385 and 1402, during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, 7th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty, Wat Chedi Luang's massive chedi (pagoda) is a distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. At its peak, the chedi measured 60 metres across at the square base and 80 metres tall and was once the home of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred religious relic. |
Elephant Park
Walk next to the gentle giants on your way down to the river, look into their eyes as you bathe them, feel the strength of their trunk when you hand them a bunch of bananas, watch them as they scratch their bodies on trees and when they flip their ears and flick their tails, see how they carefully caress their young… at Elephant Nature Park you'll quickly see why these majestic creatures are so special. |