North Thailand Attractions Checklist

"Welcome to Chiangmai and Chiangrai" magazine is full of information which can easily answer many questions even before your arrival in Chiangmai. Furthermore, "Welcome to Chiangmai and Chiangrai" magazine has developed an ATTRACTIONS CHECKLIST for your pleasant visit to Chiangmai and her neighboring provinces.

CHIANGMAI

You’ve made the right choice to visit this more than 700 - year old city. “The Rose of the North” and the second largest city in the kingdom. (See Map 1, 5, 6, 7 and Upper North Thailand)

1. City & Temples: Please read “Temples in Chiangmai” article for location and details in this or previous issues : Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Prasart, Wat Jao Mengrai, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Goo Tao, Wat Suan Dork, Wat U-Mong, Wat Jed Yord, Wat Phra Thart Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Liam & others at the Ancient City of Wiang Goom Gaam. A Tour of History : Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center, Chiang Mai Numismatic Museum(The Treasury Hall), Chiang Mai Province Local Museum (Historical).

2. River Boat Tour: (A) Landing at Wat Chaimongkol, Charoenprathet Road. or, (B) Scorpion Tailed Boat, Charoenrasd Rd (opp. Municipal Office), daily service.

3. North - western Route (Rt.1004): (Huay Kaew Rd.,& Doi Suthep)...Chiangmai National Museum, Huay Kaew Arboretum & Doi Suthep Nature Study (Chm University) Chiangmai Zoo, Royal Folk Art & Handicraft Center. Huay Kaew Falls & Pra Krooba Sriwishai Monument, Wat Prathart Doi Suthep, Phuping Palace, Meo Tribal Village.

4A. South - western Route (Rt.121): Along with irrigation canal and southwest of airport,a new project was completed -- Chiangmai Night Safari.

4B. South - western Route (Rt.108): Visit Old Chiangmai Cultural Center, full of shows and northernstyle dinner. Handicraft Industries on Wualai Rd., Baan Tawai of wood carving, on Chiangmai- Harng Dong Rd., toward Mae Waang : Buddhist Meditation Center, Japanese World War II Memorial, Boonsom’s Spirulina Farm, and Elephant safari & rafting, cattle & flea market on Saturday in Sanpatong and on Sunday at Baan Wiang of Tha Lee, Ancient City at Wiang Tha-Gaan, Wat Prathart Doi Jom Thong (58 kms. from Chiangmai) houses Buddha relic. Doi Inthanon National Park (Rt.1009) - the highest peak in Thailand, Mae Ya Waterfall, Mae Glang Waterfall (67 kms. from Chiangmai), Borijinda Cave, Washiratharn Waterfall. Siripoom Waterfall, Zai Luang Waterfall, Mae Bpaan Waterfall. Go on Rt.1192, Ancient temple murals, Cotton Weaving Village, white water rafting in Mae Jaem,also Ob-Luang Grand Canyon (smaller than the one in the U. S.!), Doi Tao Lake, etc.

5. Eastern Route (Rt.101): Cottage industries on the road from Chiangmai to Sankampaeng ... more information in article on Borsarng- Sankampaeng. Also, hot spring 23 kms. from Sankampaeng. From Borsarng going to Doi Saket which has temple on the hills, Mae Guang Dam, Huay Hong Khrai Royal Project.

6. Northern Route (Rt.107): Only 1.5 kms. from Highway intersection, visit Hilltribe Museum & Research, then use canal Road (Rte.121)and past 700 Years Stadium to reach man-made lake, Huay Tueng Thao (kms. from city). Back to Ret. 107 and continue till km. 13, turn left for another 2 kms and arrive at Study Center of Sufficient Economy (His Majesty’s Innitiative Support Center). Continue on the same road to Dara Pirom Palace Museum near Mae Rim district office and across irregation canal is Wat Pa Dara Pirom Temple. This district covers several mountain resorts & elephants at work, along Mae Rim-Samerng highway (Rt.1096.. See Map 5 & Map 5A). Elephant safari, rafting & hilltribes in Mae Dtaeng district as well as Mae Tamann subdistrict. Also on Rt.1095 in Mae Dtaeng, Mohn Unggate, Pa Pae Hot Spring, Huay Thoong Jaw, and Huay Naam Dung. Back on Rt. 107, after Mae Dtaeng district office, Km.44, turn right and 11 Kms. to Mae Ngud Dam, part of Sri Lanna National Park. Shrine-cave & elephant training camp in Chiang Dao, Pa Gia on Chiang Dao mountain top. Leesor hilltribe at Huay Naam Roo/Saam Muen. Before Faang district; Dtub Tao cave, Doi Ang Khang, hot spring, and oil refinery. After Faang to Mae Ai district (Rt. 1089): Doi Poo Muen, Doi Pha Luang or Pha Hompog and finally... Thatorn and Wat Thaton. Boating down Mae Kok river to Chiangrai.

7. North - Eastern Route (Rt.1001): Sri Lanna National Park that covers Mae Ngud dam, forest area of 3 districts - Mae Dtaeng, Chiang Dao, and Prao. Waterfall at Mohn Hin Lai and Yen which also has hot spring.

LUMPHUN

Lamphun, the “Longest Established” city in the kingdom, is the capital of a small province close to Chiangmai. You may want to make a full day or 3-4 hour trip. Most interesting places are in the old city or its suburbs, and the south side of the province. The trip can be based on 2 areas :

1, Old City: About 21 kms south from Chiangmai city, visit the following temples and places: Goo Shaang & Goo Mah--Cemetery of Queen Jarmmathaewee’s elephant & horses. Wat Jarmmathaewee- Chedi (Jedee) or pagoda containing Queen Jarmmathaewee’s remains. Wat Mahawan-about 1300 years old, built by Queen Jarmmathaewee. Wat Pra Yuen - - a standing Buddha image, about 700 - 800 years old. Finally, Wat Prathart Haripoonshai Temple with beautifully -- gilded Jedee (pagoda) which contains Buddha’s relics, about 1,500 years old. Also, National Museum of Lamphun should be included.

2. Suburbs & South Side: Eight kilometers on the old road of Chiangmai- Lamphun (Rt.106) before Lamphun city, turn right and another 7 kilometers, Baan Nohng Chang Kreun, the biggest Lumyai or Longan orchard in the country is located. Baan Paen is home of “Hat Maker Village” (bamboo& palm leaves are used). Further south, Huan Samoonprai then Pazang district.... Dhamma Gallery Park, Buddha’s footprint, and cotton weaving cottage industries. On the way to the districts of Baan Hohng and Lee, see the way of life of Karen Hilltribe villages, Huay Lah and Huay Tohm. Twenty kilometers on Rt.1087 after intersection at Km. 47 of Rt.106, Mae Ping National Park is located that combines some parts of 3 provinces, Chiangmai, Lamphun, and Tak covering dam, rapids, waterfalls, caves, forest. Meanwhile, east of the province is Mae Taa district which is well known of wood carving producers. Further, Khun Dtaan National Park that covers Mae Taa, Haang Chat & Muang Districts of Lampang with mountain, tunnel, waterfalls.

CHIANGRAI

Chiangrai, the northern most province, has the natural beauty of mountains, rivers, klongs, etc. The city is about 725 years old.

1. City& Temples: Emerald Buddha ( Pra Kaew), Wat Pra Singh, Wat Ngarm Muang, Golden Mountain Temple, and Sleeping Buddha Temples. About 5 Kms. away from the city toward west direction, visit Mae Fah Luang Foundation’s Art & Cultural Center which honored late H.R.H Princess Mother.

2. Mae Jaan (Chan) District (Rt.110) : Hot Spring, Forestry Park, Hilltribes Development & Welfare Center, Mae Salong Mountain’s “Santikiree” Settlement of Chinese Army, KMT, Princess Mother’s Pagoda.

3. Mae Sai District: On the way to Mae Sai after leaving Mae Jaan, turn left at Hong Khrai subdistrict to Mae Fah Luang district (Rt.1149) at least 2 main interesting places -- Doi Dtoong Palace and Wat Prathart Doi Dtoong. Then the Northernmost point on the border with Burma. Foreign nationals are permitted to cross the bridge at the Burmese border. Also in Mae Sai but before reaching the district office Pha Jom Cave, Khoon-Namm Naang-Norn (Lagoon of the Sleeping Lady),Thumm Poom Thumm Pla (Reef & Fish Caverns), Payanark Cave & Reservoir, Akha Village at Pha Mee.

4. Chiangsaen District (Rt.1016): Historically, Chiangsaen which is about 900 -1400 years old, was the 1st or 2nd oldest capital along with Lamphun era. You will see ruins, National Museum, Wat Prathart Jom Gitti, Wat Pa Sak, Wat Prathart Pha Ngow, Chiangsaen Lake, The Golden Triangle. Also, you will enjoy 1- 1/2 hr. River Boat Trip (oneway) between Chiangsaen and Chiangkhong.

MAE HONG SORN

Mae Hong Sorn, the "Misty City", still retains its own identity with natural resources and culture.

1. City & Temple : Wat Prathart Doi Gong Moo, Wat Pra norn, Wat Gumgor, Wat Jong Come, Wat Jong Glang, Wat Hua Wiang, Royal Folk Art & Handicraft Center.

2. City & Surroundings : Elephant riding & rafting at Huay Dua, hot spring at Pha Bong, Longneck Karen tribers, Phu Clone mud spa, Tumm Pla (fish cave) at Phasua Waterfall National Park, Royal Project of Bamboo Studies Center at Baan Paang Tong Royal Villa, KMT Chinese Settlement at Mae Or.

3. Along Rte.108, 105 : Mae Surin waterfall & National Park, and colorful Mexican Sunflowers at Doi Mae Ookor, Japanese Memorial Museum, Wat Tor Pae, Gaew Gomon Calcite Crystal Cave, Karen Hilltribes at Huay Horm & Mae Sa Gua, Lua Hilltribe at Mae La-Oob, Mai Oom-Lohng Hotspring, Mexican Sunflowers at Mae Haw, Mae Sariang’s four wellknown temples and Museum and Exhibition Hall. More adventures at Salaween National Park and rafting at Mae Saam Laeb or Mae Naam Ngao near Mae Ngao National Park.

4. Along Rt.1095 : Tumm Naam Lord Cave, Tumm Pee Man Cave of Prehistory, Mae La-Na Cave... all in Paang Ma-Pah area. Approaching to Pai from Paang Ma Paa, Mor Paeng Waterfall, then temples in town -- Wat Luang and Wat Glaang, Tha Pai Hot Spring, and rafting. Between Pai and Mae Malai intersection (back to Chm.), Huay Naam Dung National Park.