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Attractions in Amphoe Mueang |
Wat Phra Sing
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It is located on Sam Lan Road, this
lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of the
focal points of Songkran festivities each April
13-15 when people bathe the revered Phra
Phutthasihing Buddha image. The temple
compound includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel with
its exquisite woodcarvings and northern-style
murals, and a magnificent scriptural repository with
striking bas relief.
How to get there: From Thapae Gate follow
Ratchadamnern Rd. straight to the end (west). Easy
to walk.
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Wat Suan Dok
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It's built in a 14th century Lanna Thai
monarch's pleasure gardens and is a favourite spot
for photographers, particularly for striking
sunsets. Several of the white chedies contain
ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family.
Interesting are the Buddha Phra Chao Kao Tue, one of
the biggest and most beautiful bronze Buddha images
in Thailand.
How to get there: Take Suthep Rd. towards the
mountain. 1 km approx. on your left hand side.
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Wat Chiang Man
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The oldest temple in Chiang Mai. Build
in 1296 under King Mengrai even before the founding of
the city. Rebuild many times but it's charm
remains. It is noteworthy for a chedi supported by
rows of elephantine buttresses Phra Buddha Sila inside
is a copy of the original Indian image brought here from
Ceylon in 1290. The original is still kept inside
but locked up. The big chedi in the back of the
vihan dates from the 20th century.
How to get there: Situated at the north end of
Ratchaphakkinai Road, almost opposite Wat lam Chang,
next ot a fallow piece of land.
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Wat Ku Tao
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The temple is near the
Chiang Mai Stadium. It is noteworthy for an
unusaual bulbous pagoda. The structure is
decorated with colourful porcelain chips and is
believed to represent five Buddhist monk's alms
bowls which symbolise five Lord Buddhas.
How to get there: Located on Chotana 4 Road.
Along Phrapokklao Road at Phratu Chang Phuek, turn
right, keep left, find a notice of the temple and
turn left along a small lane.
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Wat Chedi Luang
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The 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. One of Wat Chedi Luang's most
striking architectural features is a magnificent
Naga staircase adorns the chapel's front porch.
The viharn houses a 9m bronze Buddha (made between
1438 and 1441). The huge tree not far from the
entrance is believed to house the guardian spirit of
the city, Lak Muang or Sao Inta Kin. |
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How to get there: From Thapae Gate, go West on
Ratchadamnern Rd. and cross the first intersection.
At the 2nd turn left (Prapokklao Rd.) Walk past Wat
Phun Tao (recognizable by the huge wooden vihan).
Chedi Luang is next to it. |
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Wat Ched Yod
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The
seven-spired square chedi was inspired by designs at
Bodhagaya. Building started in 1455 under King
Thilokanat to commemorate the 2000th day since the
Buddha died. Example was the Mahabodhi temple
in Bodh Gaya (India). Wat Ched Yod became a
spiritual center of the first order under King
Thilokanat. On the temple compounds there is
also a big square chedi in Sukhothai style that
contains the ashes of King Thilokanat. |
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How to get there: Located on Super Highway, north of
the Huai Kaeo Nimmanhemin Rd. intersection.
Before you get to the National Museum. |
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Wat U-Mong
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The ruins of this old temple are not that
spectacular. However, a visit is definitely
worthwhile. The place is very well situated within
the forest. It was established in 1355-1385 by
King Kuna as a meditation place for a famous monk.
The compound has a rare statue of the starving Buddha
next to the Chedi. There's also access to an open
zoo in the back of the temple grounds. The little
lake west of the temple contains numerous catfish and
turtles.
How to get there: Located on Suthep Rd. almost the
end, watch a sign on your left-hand side and turn left
to Soi Wat U-Mong).
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Chiang Mai National Museum
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The museum houses a collection of Lanna Thai
works of art, ancient Buddha images and war weapons.
It is open daily, except Mondays, Tuesdays and official
holidays, from 9.00 a.m. until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00
p.m.
How to get there: Located beside Wat Ched Yod, on the
intersection of Nimmanhemin & Suthep roads, opposite the
CMU Convention Center.
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Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center
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Located at Prapokklao Rd., Tambon Sriphum. An old
building of elegant architectural design was built in
1924. Standing on the location of former royal hall, the
building was used as the central administrative offices
of the Monthon Phayap administrative unit of Siam, and
later as the Provisncial Hall of Chiang Mai.
The
cultural center was created to help them understand
their roots and foster a sense of pride in local
indentity and thus to help preserve the beauty of local
customs and culture. The museum has been divided into
two sections. The front (eastern) part of the
square-shaped building contains permanent exhibits. The
rear section of the building has been dedicated to
cultural activities, temporary exhibits, a souvenir
shop, a lecture theatre, an exhibition hall for Lanna
arts and an archive.
Permanent Exhibits
The Permanent exhibits
are thematically divided into periods and topics which
are shown in 15 rooms. They show the development of the
region and the city from pre-history to its rise and
decline as an independent capital.The city's history is
illustrated up until present times.The system of
administration, way of life, local wisdom and the
culture that have created the city's proud identity are
presented using a variety of media . Models, slides,
pictures with text explanations, digital video
presentations and graphic displays will impress visitors
and help them understand the origins of the city.
Temporary Displays and Activities
The rear of the building
and the enclosed open-air courtyard are reserved for a
variety of cultural acitvities aimed at conserving and
promoting the valuable traditions of the local culture. |
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Chiang Mai Cultural Centre
The Centre is
situated at the beginning of Chiang Mai-Hang Dong road.
The center has an exceptional collection of Lanna art,
and intriguing displays of traditional northern culture.
A spectacular folk dance and tribal shows are performed
while the typical northern dinner Khan Tok is
served. |
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Chiang Mai Zoo
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Situated next to Huai Kaew Arboretum at
the foot of the mountain where Phra That Doi Suthep is
located, the zoo houses a pair of cuddly Pandas on loan
from China. Inside the zoo, there are over 200 types of
Asian and African mammals and birds for visitors to
observe. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., the admission
fee for an adult is 100 baht and a child is 20 baht.
There are excellent facilities for tourists with
restaurants and a camping site. Advance booking is
required for large groups. |
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CMU Art Museum (Chiang Mai University Art Museum)
The Art Museum is situated on Nimmanhemin Road opposite
the Chiang Mai University Auditorium. There are a lot of
interesting exhibitions on display in the museum art
gallery, check the schedule at the Faculty of Fine Arts,
Chiang Mai University 239 Huey Kaew Road Chiang Mai
50200. |
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Doi Suthep - Doi Pui National Park
Covering an area of 262 sq. km., this luxuriant park is
home to more than 300 bird species and nearly 2,000
species of ferns and flowering plants. Some hiking
trails in the park pass Hmong villages while others lead
to a few small waterfalls where local people come to
picnicking on weekends. Accommodations are available
near the park headquarters. To get there, take Highway
No. 1004, its only 16 kilometers drive northwest of
Chiang Mai town. The Park has interesting attractions,
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Namtok Huai Kaew
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This waterfall is located near the Chiang
Mai Zoo and is a pleasant place for relaxation and
picnics. |
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Doi Pui Tribal Village
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This village is a Hmong village situated
on an asphalt road approximately 3 kilometers from Phu
Phing Palace and approximately one hour from Chiang Mai.
The village presents the typical lifestyle of the Hmong
as well as a scenic view of Doi Inthanon. |
Phu Phing Palace (Royal Winter Palace)
The palace is located further up the mountain and
approximately 6 kilometers from Wat Phra That Doi
Suthep. The royal winter palace was built in 1962.
Its landscaped gardens are decorated with plenty of
colorful, exotic flowers. It is open every day from
8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. except when the Royal family
is in residence which is usually from mid December
to early February. |
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Huai Kaeo
Arboretum
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Situated next to the
famous Chiang Mai University and the Chiang Mai Zoo,
Huai Kaeo Arboretum, is a mixed blessing of landscaped
gardens with many kinds of tropical trees and exquisite
flowers. Locals love to relax and do morning and evening
exercise in the compound. |
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Insect and
Natural Wonders Museum
Exhibiting an awesome collection of domestic and foreign
insects including animal fossils, the museum is located
at 72 Nimmanhemin, Soi 12 (Sirimangkhlalachan Soi 3),
Huai Kaew, Muang District. |
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Kad Suan Kaeo
Art & Cultural Centre
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This newly developed centre is located in
Kad Suan Kaeo Shopping Mall. It is a centre where
traditional arts and cultural performances are performed
using state-of-the art stage technology. |
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Khantoke
Dinner
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Most of the northern dishes can be sampled at a "Khantoke
Dinner" in Chiang Mai. It is a perfect event where
you can learn more about traditional northern cuisine
while enjoying traditional music and dance. Khantok in
the Northern dialect means a wooden tray used for
carrying dishes. Round in shape, it is made of wood,
varnished or lacquered with 5 or 6 short supporting
legs.
Guests are invited to sit on the floor around a Khantok,
a circular tray with Northern dishes on it. They can
enjoy watching traditional northern dances as well as
hilltribe culture shows while their meal is being
served.
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main dishes on the Khantok usually are steamed sticky
rice, kaeng hang-le (northern-style pork curry), kaeng
ho (spicy curry of bean vermicelli), kaeng om (spicy
curry of entrails), sai ua (Chiang Mai sausage), lap
(minced meat, half cooked and highly seasoned), nam
phrik ong (chili paste with minced pork and tomatoes),
which usually goes with khaep mu (crispy pork rinds) and
khao soi (chicken/ pork /beef curry soup with noodles.
Guests are encouraged to eat with their hands, as the
locals do. The eating procedure is easy: take a handful
of steamed sticky rice from the bamboo basket, roll, and
dip it into the curry or chili paste and then taste it.
After
the meal, a dessert called khao taen fried sticky rice
covered with caramel is served. Also served are khiyo
cigars and fermented tea, which is chewed to help
digestion. The khiyo cigar is made of shredded tobacco
and ground tamarind bark (khiyo), which can reduce the
strong odor of tobacco.
During
the Khantok Dinner, several dances and shows are
performed. The most popular Northern dance is fon lep or
fingernail dance. This show is impressive as female
dancers are dressed in Northern Thai style, and wear
long pointed brass fingernails. |
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Khruba
Siwichai Monument
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Located at the foot of Doi Suthep, the monument was
built in 1935 to honor Khruba Siwichai a famous Lanna
monk who initiated construction of the road leading up
to Phra That Doi Suthep. Throughout his life, Khruba
Siwichai organized many temple related renovation
activities.
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Lanna
Woodcarving Art Museum
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Ban Roi An Phan Yang Museum is the exhibition center of
antiques and woodcarving masterpieces located at Chiang
Mai-Sanpatong Road, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai
50230. |
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Night Bazaar
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The Night Bazaar is a shopping haven where one can find
handmade products and souvenirs from many Chiang Mai
villages and hill tribes. Local cloths and fabrics are
reasonably priced for purchasing. The shopping street
opens around 6:00 p.m. |
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Sao Inthakil
or Sao Lak Muang
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The city pillar was built when the founder of Chiang
Mai, King Meng Rai, ruled the city in 1296. Located in
front of Wat Chedi Luang and enshrined in a small Thai
chapel, the pillar is made of log and kept underground.
The Khao Inthakil or city pillar celebration is held
annually in May. |
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Sbun-Nga
Textile Musuem
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This is the largest textile museum in Thailand which is
situated at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center. See over a
thousand ancient and rare textiles revealing the
elaborate weaving skills of both royal and local
ancestors in Southeast Asia. Open daily (except
Wednesdays) from 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.. |
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The Thriving
Sunday Market
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Located on the
Ratchadamneon Rd. inside the old city of Chiang Mai the
market seems to be ever expaning down more streets and
alleys leading off the central road. With all traffic
halted every sunday, people are free to walk without the
hassle and stress of cars and motorcycles wizzing by.
This makes for a pleasant and facinating day out. Walk
along and bargain with the numerous sellers and listen
to various buskers playing Thai and Western music. |
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Wat Buppharam
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The temple is located on Tha Phae Road, Muang District.
Interesting attractions include the chedi constructed in
the Burmese architectural style, the carved wooden main
chapel roof and the small wood chapel constructed in the
local style. |
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Wat Chedi Liam
or Chedi Ku Kham
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The
temple, situated in newly developed tourist destination,
Wiang Kum Kam, was built in 1288 during the reign of
King Meng Rai. Hundreds of years later, the temple was
left abandoned until a Burmese tycoon renovated the
temple in 1908. As a result, the temple has some Burmese
influences in addition to its former Khmer style of
which only some parts were rebuilt. |
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Wat Gate
Museum
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The temple museum, Wat Gate Museum features an eclectic
collection of artifacts discovered from the attics and
storerooms of the temple. One of the most interesting
art objects is an old Siamese 'White Elephant' flag and
a collection of old phonographs going back more than 100
years to the western trading era in Chiang Mai. There
are pictures of scenes from daily life in Chiang Mai
including old riverboats, markets and even examples of
criminal prosecution. It is possible to see what many of
the town's temples looked like after the Burmese
occupation, when they were mostly abandoned, and before
the modern influx of tourists resulted in their
restoration. There are also displays of records and
record players. The museum opens daily from 8.30 a.m. to
5.00 p.m. |
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Wat Phan Tao
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The temple that was a throne hall for King Mahotara
Prateth whose symbol is the peacock is located on Phra
Pok Klao Road, next to Wat Chedi Luang. The peacock-
shaped doors were thus built to represent the King. |
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Wat Phra That
Doi Suthep
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Locals would say, You havent really gone
to Chiang Mai unless youve been to Wat Phratat Doi
Suthep. Truly, the place is the most important and
famous Chiang Mai landmark. Built in 1383, this
mountaintop temple has a chedi (pagoda) that houses holy
Buddha relics. The gold-plated chedi lies in the middle
of a square marble-tiled courtyard. The four corners of
the chedi are adorned with parasols which represent
royal regalia. The temples courtyard is lined by a
cloister, which contains images and murals depicting
Buddhas life. There are also two viharns situated in the
middle of the east and west sides of the cloister.
This temple is 15 kilometers from town and is 3,520 feet
above sea level. It is the perfect place to get a birds
eye view of the city. The temple can be reached via a
steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps or railcars.
The temple is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
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Wat Saen Fang
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Located on Tha Phae Road, Wat Saen Fang is an old
Burmese-style temple. According to history, King
Intavitchayanontha, the seventh king who governed Chiang
Mai commanded that the residence of Phra Chao
Gavirorossurivongs (Chao Chevit Ao), the sixth ruler of
Chiang Mai be destroyed. Later, his former residence was
rebuilt in this temple.
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Wiang Kum Kam
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A
recently discovered ancient city believed to have been
built during the reign of King Meng Rai in 1286, the
city was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom until the
Maenam Ping flooded and wiped out the whole city. To
visit Wiang Kum Kam today, drive south east of Chiang
Mai, between Km. 3-4, on the Chiang Mai-Lamphun route in
Saraphi District. Just drive along the road at Nong Hoi
Police box to the Ko Klang Pa Kluai intersection and
proceed to Chedi Liam Police box. There are more than 20
ancient ruins inside and around Wiang Kum Kam including
Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham, Wat Noi, Wat Pu Pia, Wat
Ku Koa, Wat E Kang, Wat Hua Nong, and Wat Pu Song which
are dated from the 21st 22nd Buddhist centuries. |
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