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Doi Inthanon National Park :
The
1,005 - square - kilometre park covers
Thailand's highest mountain (2,565 metres).
The lovely Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Pan
waterfalls share the mountain with Meo and
Karen hilltribe settlements. Forest above
1,800 metres is covered with lichens and
wild orchids.
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Mae Klang Waterfall
Chiang
Mai's most photographed waterfall lies some
58 kilometres west of the city at the foot
of Doi Inthanon Mountain, and provides a
picturesque setting for picnics and
relaxation.
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Wat
Phra Singh Dating back from 1345 this is one of the
focal points of Songkran festivities each April 3-15
when people bathe the revered Phra Buddha Sihing
image. The temple includes the lovely Lai Kham
chapel with its exquisite woodcarvings and
northern-style murals and a magnificent scriptural
repository with striking base relief. |
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This
temple was built in a 14th century Lanna
Thai monarch's pleasure gardens and is a
favourite spot for photographers,
particularly for striking sunsets. Several
the white chedis contain ashes of Chiang
Mai's former royal family. The 500 - year -
old bronze Buddha image in a secondary
chapel is one of Thailand's largest metal
images.
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Wat Chiang Man Ratchaphakkinai Road
This
is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably
dates from 1296. The temple was the
residence of King Mengrai, who founded
Chiang Mai, and is noteworthy for a chedi
supported by rows of elephantine buttresses,
and a small ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeow
Khaow.
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Wat Chedi Luang Phrapokklao Road
This
temple is the site of an enormous pagoda,
originally 280 feet high, and which was
partially destroyed by an earthquake in
1545. At one time, Wat Chedi Luang housed
the revered Emerald Buddha image now
enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo. A
magnificent Naga staircase adorns the
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, north of the
Huai
Kaew - Nimmanhemin Roads intersection This temple
dates from 1458. The seven-spired square chedi was
inspired by designs at Bodhagaya, the site of the
Buddha's Enlightenment in north India over 2,500
years ago, and was built by Lanna Thai architects
after visiting the holy site.
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Wat U-Mong Suthep Road
This delightful meditation temple is completely different from
Chiang Mai's other major temples and enjoys a bu-colic forest
setting. The ancient chedi is of particular interest.
Wat Ku Tao near Chiang Mai Stadium
This temple is noteworthy for an unusual bulbous pagoda. The
structure is decorated with colourful porcelain chips and is
believed to represent five Buddhist monks' alms bowls which
symbolise five Lord Buddhas.
Chiang Mai National Museum Beside Wat
Chet Yot
The museum houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art, ancient
Buddha images, and war weapons. The museum opens daily, except
Mondays, Tuesdays and official holidays, from 9.00 AM until noon,
and 1.00 until 4.00 PM.
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National Parks :
Increasing
numbers of visitors now come to Chiang Mai in search
of the natural environment preserved a famous
national parks. Famous national park in Chiang Mai
is Doi Inthanon,the highest mountain in Thailand. In
most cases, you will find easy access and bungalow
accommodation for overnight stays.
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:The entrance to the Mae Sa Valley
is only thirteen kms north of Chiang Mai City. This
pristine area of waterfalls, rushing streams and
largely undamaged northern forest is one of Chiang
Mai's best-kept secrets. The Mae Sa Valley forms
partof a loop road encircling the national park of
Doi Suthep and Doi Pui. There are several villages
of different hill tribe people, camps where
elephants can be seen at work and ridden, orchid,
snake and butterfly farms and spectacular waterfalls
of which the most popular is the Mae Sa Waterfall.
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The Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens
The
Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, were opened in
1992. They cover an area of some 3500 rai (about
2000 acres) and include a wide variety of vegetation
containing over 10,000 trees as well as ferns,
palms, herbs and flowers - many of which are
extremely rare. Even if you are not a botanist it is
well worth visiting these beautiful gardens.
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There is no other market in Chiang Mai
like Kad Luang, or the Royal Market as it is fondly
called by the locals. This ultimate market of all
markets sits in the heart of Chiang Mai on the Ping
River, it's vast buildings house hundreds of shops
and stalls selling almost anything you could wish to
buy in Chiang Mai. |