Amazing activities in Chiang Mai

Whereas Bangkok is a mere 200 years old, Chiang Mai was founded in the late 13th century. The year of 1996 marked the official 700 year anniversary. Chiang Mai was once of the capital of Lanna, an independent Thai Kingdom and has remained one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements of Thailand. The north was teak country where elephants used to work in the forests. It was this commerce that drew foreign entrepreneurs to north Thailand. They wrote in journals and letters to their families about this beautiful area. This tradition of adventurers visiting Chiang Mai continues today with you..

Museum Buffs

• Chiang Mai City Arts & Culture Center, Prapokklao Road between Rajdumnern Road and Rajwithee Road. If travelling by tuk-tuk or songtheaw, ask for the "Three Kings Monument" (Saam Kasat); the cultural center is in the large, elegant white building just behind the statue. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except on Mondays. Admission 90 baht. Tel: (053) 217-793.
• Visit Art Galleries featuring northern Artists:
  • Northern Art Gallery, KM 29 Hangdong Rd.; KT Gallery near Mengrai Kilns
  • Gong Dee Fallery & Tea Room on Soi 1 Nimanhemin Rd.
  • The Gallery Restaurant on Mae Ping River
  • Chiang Mai University Museum of Art, Nimanhemin Road. (Closed Mondays)
• Stamp collectors can visit the Postal Museum on Vichayanon Rd. (opposite the Mae Ping Branch Post Office.)
• Harris House Museum of Old Photos at Prince Royal's College, Kaew Nawarat Rd.
• Hilltribe Museum atat Rama 9 Park (Suan Low Gao) on Mae Rim Rd. Open Tuesday through Fridays from 9 am to 4 pm. Tel. 0 5321 0872. Phone ahead to see slide show.
• Insect MuseumSirimangklajarn Road. Fun for all ages. Tel.0 53 2 11891
• Dara Pirom Palace Museum at Dara Rasamee Military Camp, Mae Rim Road. 100 year old restored teak palace complete with antique decor.
• Chiangmai National Museum, Super-highway. Open 9 am-4.30 pm. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. Tel. 0 5322 1308.
• The Dhamma Park Gallery, 109/2 Baan Pasang Noi, Moo1, T. Baan Paen, Lamphun. Tel 512609.
• The Chiang Mai Doll-making Centre and Museum, 187/2 Moo 9, Dong Khee Lek, Sanpatong,. Tel/Fax 0 5383 7229.

Thai Lifestyle

• For northern Thai wedding ceremony contact CTC Chiangmai Travel Center. Package includes costumes, photos and more. ContactContact Tel. 0 5327 5097, 053 202993-5.
• Khum Khan Toke, Behind Carrefour Superstore. Tel.3041212. Lanna style pavilion accommodates over 200 persons.

Philosophy.

• Tai Chi Chuan, an intensive 10day course (60 hours) three sessions daily, 7.00 to 9.30 am, 1.00 to 2.00 pm & 4.00 to 6.30 pm. Call Keith at 0 5330 6012 ext. 201
• Retreats at Tao Garden, Doi Saket. Courses are designed for all levels, as well as instructor/practitioner trainees. Ayurvedic Medicine courses. Certificates are issued. Call for information at 0 5349 5596.
• Tibetan Kung Fu,International Center Chiangmai by Master Joe (Kheliang), Traditional Doctor. Wushu Muay Thai, a hybrid fighting form, the best of Muay Thai boxing and Wushu Kung Fu. 5 Element Tibetan self healing. Tibetan food cooking classes. Wushu Kung Fu and more disciplines. Open daily 9.00 am to 6 pm. 43 Changmoi Kao Road., Tel. 053 252523.
  

Thai Skills

• BaanThai Cookery School, 11 Ratchdamnern Rd. Tel 357339. Cook like a Thai chef upon completion of course.
• The Chili Academy,. Learn Thai and vegetarian cooking also. Tel. 0 5323 5387

Clay Dolls

• Make clay dollsfor home and garden decoration at Mae Pao Din, Paw Tam Suan., 361/5 Moo 8, Rimtai-Mae Jo Rd., Tel. 053 298897. 6 rooms Baht 600 per person include ABF.

Nail Art

• S'nails, Soi 11, Sirimangkalajarn Road. Tel. 05389 4988.

Holistic Health Care

• Acupuncture treatments in your home. For info in English call 01 881 2267.
• Angsana Spa, 183/1 Chotana Rd., Mae Rim, Tel. 298220-3. Award winning Banyan Tree master brand.
• Ban Sabai Spa for Health and Well Being, 17/7 Charern Prathet Rd. Chiang Mai 50100 , Tel. 053 285 604-6.
• Northern Heritage Spa, Chiangmai Lamphun Golf Club, Tel. 0 5338 1000-11.
• The Pothiyalai Center offers Clairvoyant & Spiritual healing readings. 253 Moo 2 Ban Ton Kaew, Sanpunwan, ChiangmaiHod Road or Tel.0 5344 1663, 0 1882 1506
• Dr. Petchara Lohwitaya, Acupuncture treatments McCormick Hospital, Kaew Nawarat Rd. Monday - Friday 9 am to 4 pm. Tel. 0 5392 1777
• Reflexology. Chetawan Massage School, Opp Rajabhat University, Chotana Road. Tel. 0 5341 0360,
• Tao Garden Health Resort. World renowned for holistic health programs. Luang Nua, Doi Saket Road. Tel. 0 5349 5596-9.

Leisure

• Bowling alleys .
• Vista Cinema Tel. 0 5389 4415
• Scheduledevening Thai boxing matches.at Thapae Gate near Top North Hotel.
• Chiang Mai Flying Club: Chiang Mai Flying Club: Flight Training Course or Basic Flying.Tel. 053 200515. Email: cmfc@chiangmaiflyingclub.com

Chiangmai Sights

• View Chiangmai from the SKY! Discovery Adventure on pilot assisted 2 man microlight 20 min flight. Nov - Feb Hot air balloon rides. Call 0 5386 8460, 0 5386 7646. 08 1952 5300.
• Fascinating Thai Buffalo Training Camp, 4 shows daily. Tel. 0 5330 1628
• Visit Chiangmai Zoo on Huay Kaew Rd over 700 species of animals & birds residing on 200 acres of Doi Suthep foothills.
• Mountain Biking, opposite Wat Prasingh. 081-024-7046.   
• Visit the only temple in Chiangmai with modern art murals depicting lessons of Buddhism at Wat Doi Saket.
• Have a mineral bath in one of the hot springs parks around Chiangmai such as the TAT operated Sankampaeng Hot Springs, 23 kms east of Sankampaeng.
• Visit the camp site of King Mengrai at Wiang Goom Garm (over 700 years old) on Lamphun Road opposite the Mae Ping Police Station.  Go there by river boat and horse carriage. Free PICK UP, call 081-884-4621, 081-885-0663.
• Elephant riding, oxcart riding, bamboo rafting and caving.
• Visit the Elephant Hospital and Training Camp in Lampang. Open daily.
• Birdwatching at Doi Inthanon National Park. The center for Wildlife Research at Mahidol University records a present total of 362 species and expects additions.
• Chiangmai Rock Climbing, 8 Soi 2, Suriyawongse Rd., Haiya, Tel. 053 207102.
• Monkey Center Park., 229 Moo 1, Mae Ram, Tel./fax 053 298442. Open daily. Call for show times.
• Flight of the Gibbon, Mae Kampong. Open every day. mobile 0899 705 511, 0898 503 808
• Tiger Kingdom, Mae Rim. Open every day. Tel. 0 5386 0704-5

Cultural Speakers

• Attend lectures at Informal Northern Thai Group every 2nd Tuesday at 7.30 pm at Alliance Francaise. Call Frank Kelly, the convenor Tel. 0 5394 4357 (mornings).

Challenging Sports

• Bungy Jump, 299 Moo 1 T.Mae Ram A.Mae Rim Chiangmai. Tel. 0 5329 8442, 0 1894 7698, 01 671 8624
• Go Kart Track at the Chiangmai Speedway, 254 Moo 8, ChmHangdong Rd. Open every day.
• Golf courses and driving ranges