Northern Route (Road No. 1096 off Highway No. 107)
Orchid & Butterfly Farms
Major
nurseries are located along Mae Rim-Samoeng route (Road
No.1096). These farms include Sai Nam Phung, Mountain
Orchid, and Mae Ram Orchid, Each Provide opportunities for
visitors admire these exotic year-round blooms.
Certain orchid farms also have special butterfly enclosures
where in exotic species can be seen in their natural
environment.
Mae Sa Waterfall
This
8-tiered waterfall is 26 kms from town and occupies a
natural setting among gigantic towering trees.
Elephant Training Centres
Each
morning, at Km 10 on Mae Rim-Samoeng route, some 30 kms
from town, trained elephants demonstrate their
formidable and highly-valued forestry skills from 9.30
untill 10.00 am, at the Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre.
A jungle tour on elephant back, lasting more than two
hours through adjacent forests, is offered after the
show. Elephants at work can also be seen at the
Pong Yaeng Elephant Centre at Km. 19 on the same route,
and the Elephant Nature Park at Mae Taman on the Chiang
Mai-Fang Road, some 57 kms from Chiang Mai.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
This
national botanic garden is located at Km 12 of Mae Rim-Samoeng
route and covers an area of 560 acres. It was
established in April 1992 in order to gather, to
conserve, as well as to strengthen studies and research
on Thai plants. More than 700 species of plants
with the emphasis on Thai Flora have been collected.
Resorts
Several
picturesque resorts, with accommodation and dining
facilities, offer bucolic rural living on the Mae Rim-Samoeng
route and include Mae Sa Valley Resort and Erawan
Resort, and the Samoeng -Hang Dong route which includes
Lanna Resort, Krisadadoi Resort and Suan Bua Resort.
Some occupy hillsides, others secluded valleys.
Taeng Dao Elephant Camp
The
riverside enclave, at km 56 on Highway No.107, features
daily shows of elephants at work, from 9.00 a.m. and
offers elephant rides, and opportunities for bucolic
river-rafting through largely pristine and tranquil
forests, or jungle treks to neighbouring hilltribe
settlements.
Chiang Dao Caves
Scared
Buddha images occupy the caves of Wat Tham Chiang Dao at
km 72 on Highway 107. Caves are illuminated by
electric lights. Deepest recesses can be explored
with local guides.
Doi Ang Khang
This
royal agricultural station situated among beautiful
mountainous scenery, provincial capital, 163 kms north
of Chiang Mai, is a demonstration site for planting and
researching flowering plants, temperate fruit trees,
vegetables and other crops under the patronage of His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Fang Hot Springs
Located
at Ban Pin, also 163 kms north of Chiang Mai provincial
capital, 50 hot springs occupy a 10-acre forest setting.
Three boil continuously with a strong smell of sulphur.
Water temperatures at the springs range from 90 to 100
degrees Celsius.
Scared
Buddha images occupy the caves of Wat Tham Chiang Dao at
km 72 on Highway 107. Caves are illuminated by
electric lights. Deepest recesses can be explored
with local guides.
