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Phra Borom That Saen Hai, Chiang Mai This temple is situated in Wiang Haeng, San Pa Tong District, which can be dated back to the early Buddhist times, was renovated in 1914. The pagoda is a unique blend of Myanmar and Lanna Thai architecture. According to the legend, King Naresuan the Great rested his troops here and built a pool at the foot of the hill for his use and that of his elephants.

Chiang Mai Zoo, Chiang Mai 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. Contact: tel. 0-5322-1179, 0-5322-22

San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, Chiang Mai San Kamphaeng Hot Springs are located 36 kilometres from town amid natural surroundings of trees and verdant hills. The water has a high sulphur content and possesses curative and restorative properties. Accommodation, a swimming pool, dining facilities and segregated mineral water bathing rooms are available. Nearby is Roong Arun Hot Spring Resort which offers bungalows, mineral baths and a sumptuous park setting. Public transport operates from Chang Phuak bus terminal, get off at San Kamphaeng, and then ride a chartered local truck (Song Thaeo). Call 0 5392 9077, 0 5392 9099 for more information or visit www.skp-hotsprings.com.

Bo Kaeo Botanic Research Station, Chiang Mai This station, which plants pine and eucalyptus on an area of 828 acres, has a cool and moist climate throughout the year.

Si Lanna National Park, Chiang Mai This national park has an abundance of wildlife and verdant forests, which are the sources of various tributaries of the Mae Ping River. The park covers a mountainous area of 260,800 acres in Phrao, Mae Taeng, and Chiang Dao Districts. Attractions within the park include Namtok Mon Hin Lai, Nae Ngat Sombun Chon Dam, Pha Daeng Cave, etc. Getting to the ranger office is easy, drive along Highway No. 107 (Chiang Mai-Fang route), and then turn right to Sombun Chon Reservoir and proceed for 12 kilometers.

Wiang Kum Kam, Chiang Mai 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.

Wat U Mong, Chiang Mai Built in 1296 by King Meng Rai, it is situated in a rustic forest setting on Suthep Road and was renovated during the reign of King Keu Na. This famous meditation temple is unique in its large tunnel-like construction.

Wat Saen Fang, Chiang Mai Wat Saen Fang 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.

Wat Prasat, Chiang Mai Wat Prasat Located on Inthawarorot Road, near Wat Phra Sing, is Wat Prasat where a rare Lanna style Buddha image is enshrined. The temple is composed of a traditional Lanna style chapel, with its roof is decorated in colorful glasses and carved wooden lions.

Wat Phan Tao, Chiang Mai Wat Phan Tao 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 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.

Wat Ku Tao, Chiang Mai Formerly known as Wat Veru Vanaram, the temple is located in Sri Phum Sub-district, near the Chiang Mai Stadium. Wat Ku Tao, ku tao being the local term for watermelon, is famous for its unusual watermelon-shaped pagoda. According to the legend, Ku Tao chedi contains the ashes of Prince Saravadee, the son of King Bureng Nong who ruled Chiang Mai from1579 to 1607.

Wat Gate Museum, Chiang Mai 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 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.

Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai The oldest temple in Chiang Mai town, Wat Chiang Man was built in 1296 by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. The temple is famous for its Lanna-style chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses and an ancient and invaluable Buddha image named Phra Kaeo Khao. Wat Chiang Man is situated off of Ratchapakhinai Road in the northeast corner of the old city.

Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai This 14th century temple, where the City Pillar Shrine is located, is famous for its enormous chedi, which is measured at 282 feet high and 144 feet wide (at the base). Located right in the middle of the city, it is considered to be the largest chedi in Chiang Mai. Its spire collapsed in 1545 due to an earthquake. A pair of magnificent Naga staircases at the front porch of the chapel is among the most beautiful manmade serpents in the North. Chao Khun Uba Lee Poramacharn (Sirichantathera) and Chao Kaeo Navarat built the front chapel in 1928.

Wat Chedi Liam or Chedi Ku Kham, Chiang Mai 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.

Wat Chedi Chet Yot, Chiang Mai Located on the Super Highway Road (Chiang Mai-Lampang) only 4 kilometers from the town, the temple is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai. One of the main attractions is a seven-spired square chedi, which was inspired by the design of the Phuttakaya stupa in India. More importantly, the stupa contains the ashes of King Tilokkarat, a king of the Meng Rai Dynasty who built this temple.

Wat Buppharam, Chiang Mai 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.

Sbun-Nga Textile Musuem, Chiang Mai Address: 185/20 Wua Lai Road, Muang, Chiang Mai. Tel: 053 200655 or 01 8836713 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. 1/2/3/4/5