Chiang Mai / Neighboring towns
Mae Rim
Mae Rim is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, in the enchanting Mae Sa Valley, some 15km (9mi) north of Chiang Mai city.
Accommodation
Erawan Resort
149/10 Chang Khlan Rd
Tel 23-2450; 49 rooms, sgl/dbl 800-5,000
Bkk Resv Tel 278-1282, 279-1474, 279-4518
Mae Sa Resort
c/o 190/1 Lamphun Rd, Tel 24-8400
19 rooms, sgl/dbl 480-1,500
Bkk Resv Tel 390-0013
Mae Sa Valley
261 Thaphae Rd
Tel 23-4358, 23-5582, 24-8423
40 rooms, sgl/dbl 600-1,300
Bkk Resv Tel 251-1662, 235-6488
Suan Rintr
53/6 Tambon Mae Ram
Tel 22-1750, 22-1483
17 rooms, sgl/dbl 500-2,500
Bkk Resv Tel 251-1870
Places of Interest
Orchid Farms
The two nearby orchid farms, Mountain Orchid and Sai Nam Phung Orchid Nursery, have an amazing variety of all year round blooming orchids. Thais consider orchids as the Queens of the Forests.
Wang Kulap (The Rose Garden)
A great variety of roses and other beautiful flowers can be seen on both sides of the stream passing through the garden.
Mae Sa House
The house is a show place for private collections of Thai antiques.
Mae Sa Falls
The falls in an impressive setting with many gigantic trees stretch over 8 levels.
Ban Hmong Mae Sa Mai
The village offers an insight into the culture and ways of living of the Hmong hill tribe. Lodging, campfire and food are available for visitors desiring to stay overnight. In addition, souvenirs are sold at the village.
Elephant Training Center
At the center at Mae Sa Mai, 30km (19mi) north of Chiang Mai city, half the distance from Mae Rim, trained elephants demonstrate their formidable and highly-valued forestry skills. Admission is 40 Baht per person. A 2 1/2 hour jungle tour is offered after the show at 250 Baht per person.
Chiang Dao
Chiang Dao is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 75km (47mi) north of Chiang Mai city.
Accommodation
Chiang Dao Hill Resort
28 Mu 6 (100km, 63mi from Chiang Mai); Tel 23-6995, 23-2434
71 rooms, sgl/dbl 700-8,000
Bkk Resv Tel 234-9777 to 8, 235-4699
Tlx 43-573 HILLRES TH
Places of Interest
Chiang Dao Caves
The sacred caves, 72km (45mi) north of Chiang Mai city, are filled with Buddha images belonging to Wat Tham Chiang Dao. The upper parts of the caves are illuminated with electric light, while deepest recesses can be explored with local guides equipped with oil lanterns.
Fang
Fang is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 150km (94mi) north of Chiang Mai city.
Accommodation
Chok Thani
Near the Fang Administration Building
10 rooms, sgl/dbl 160-280 (f, ac)
D.J.
Mu 3, Tambon Wiang, 16 rooms
Metta Wattana
Mu 4, Tambon Wiang, 11 rooms
Roza
1 Mu 4, Chotana Rd, Tambon Wiang
16 rooms
Places of Interest
Doi Ang Khang
This demonstration site for the planting of temperate climate vegetables and flowers, 163km (102mi) from Chiang Mai on Highway 107 (Chiang Mai - Fang Road), is under the patronage of King Bhumiphol.
Fang Hot Spring
In a 4 hectare (10 acre) forest clearing at Ban Pin, 11km (7mi) off Highway 107 before reaching Fang, are about 50 hot springs. Three boil continuously with a strong smell of sulfur. Water temperatures range between 90° and 100° C (194°-212° F).
Doi Suket
Doi Suket is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 20km (13mi) northeast of Chiang Mai city.
Accommodation
Wang Tharn
35/1 Mu 1, Tambon Ruam Nua
Tel 23-4357-235099, 23-5405
67 rooms, sgl/dbl 400-2,800
Bkk Resv Tel 258-2419, 259-2370 to 1
Sam Kamphaeng
Sam Kamphaeng is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 15km (9mi) east of Chiang Mai city.
Accommodation
Rung Arun Resort
Tel (053) 25-1191 Ext. 2020
36 rooms, sgl/dbl 900-1,200
Bkk Resv Tel 217-9590 to 3
Places of Interest
Cotton and Silk Weaving Villages
Sam Kamphaeng and the surrounding villages are famous for Thai silk as well as cotton, both still woven by local folk on traditional looms and sold in a wide variety of plain lengths, plaids, brocades, stripes, prints and checks.
Other Cottage Industries
On both sides along the road from Chiang Mai city to Sam Kamphaeng are many so-called factories for silverware, lacquerware, wood carvings and other handicraft. Visitors can watch how particular items are made. However, demonstrations of the manufacture of certain handicraft often are part of the marketing.
Prices at places that manufacture themselves are not necessarily lower than in plain shops. Larger traders who proclaim themselves wholesalers have retail prices which are generally not at all lower than the prices at, for example, the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai city.
Many of the handicrafts sold along the road between Sam Kamphaeng and Chiang Mai are indeed produced in cottage industry, but not mainly along the road at the so-called factories where tourists arrive by the bus loads.
Bo Sang Umbrella Making Village
The village, 9km (6mi) from Chiang Mai city on the road to Sam Kamphaeng, is not to be missed by anybody with an interest in Thai handicrafts. The locals manufacture silk and cotton umbrellas and Sa paper parasols which are hand-painted in a variety of floral and animal designs.
Generations of Bo Sang families have been engaged in umbrella and parasol making for over 200 years. People there also make Temple Bells, produce so-called Sa paper by an ancient process, using the bark of mulberry trees.
Sam Kamphaeng Hot Spring
The spring in a nice green surrounding, about 23km (14mi) from the town of Sam Kamphaeng, has water with a high sulfur content which allegedly possesses curative and restorative properties. Separate male and female bathing facilities are available. The place is popular for picnics, too.
Roong Aroon Hot Springs
The 16 hectare (40 acres) resort near Sam Kamphaeng Hot Spring, 35km (22mi) east of Chiang Mai city, is decorated with different kinds of plants and flowers and has a rock garden as well. Two boiling hot springs provide mineral water for individual bath rooms and bath tubs. The facilities also include bungalows and a restaurant serving Thai specialities and international cuisine.
Hang Dong
Hang Dong is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 15km (9mi) southwest of Chiang Mai city.
Accommodation
Klissada Doi
Km marker 14, Hang Dong-Samoeng Rd
Tel 24-8419
Tents and cottages 180-6,500
Bkk Resv Tel 241-0111 to 2, 243-47412
Chom Thong
Chom Thong is a small town in Chiang Mai Province, some 60km (38mi) southwest of Chiang Mai city.
Places of Interest
Wat Phrathat Si Chom Thong
The temple, on the Chiang Mai - Hod Rd, 58km (36mi) southwest Chiang Mai city, was built in 1451. The Vihara houses a holy relic of the Buddha.
Mae Klang Falls
The Mae Klang Falls, on the Chiang Mai - Hod Rd, 58km (36mi) from Chiang Mai city, are a big cascade in a scenic surrounding near the Doi Inthanont National Park. The spot is popular for picnics and much photographed.
Places of Interest
Doi Inthanont National Park
The park beyond Mae Klang Falls, one of Thailand’s most famous and well equipped to welcome visitors, has an area of 1,005sqkm (388sqmi), mainly west of Chom Thong and extending towards Mae Chaem in the west and Sunpatong in the north. It is named after and has on its terrain Doi Inthanont, Thailand’s highest mountain (2,565m, 8,418ft) and encompasses several Karen and Meo hill tribe villages. The natural scenery is marvellous. Areas above 1,800m (5,880ft) are covered with lichens and are rich in wild orchids. Shooting, fishing or damaging vegetation is strictly forbidden. Particularly scenic spots are around the Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Pim waterfalls.
Wachirathan Falls
They can be viewed on the route to Inthanont Mountain, a 30min drive from Mae Klang Falls.
Siriphum Falls
They are on the same route, an hour’s drive from Mae Klang Falls.
Mae Ya Falls
The falls, 12km (8mi) from Chom Thong market, can be reached by local mini-bus.
Borichinda Cave
The cave is a 10min drive from Mae Klang Falls, after which one must walk for 1 to 2 hours. Since there is a big opening, the cave is not dark.
Ob Luang
Ob Luang is a steep river valley amid scenic mountains and teak forests, 88km (55mi) from Chiang Mai city on the Chiang Mai - Mae Sariang Rd.
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