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Chiang Mai

The northern city of Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest. It was founded in the 13th Century in order to centralize King Mangrai's realm.

Chiang Mai is a laid back city with a slower pace. This is a great place to simply wander around and discover things for yourself.

The Flower Carnival: On the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every February, this carnival celebrates Chiang Mai's temperate and tropical flowers in full bloom and is accompanied by a parade of colourful floral floats.

Bo Sang Umbrella Fair: This colourful fair is held in mid to late January in the nearby village of Bo Sang. The village is known for its colourful silk and paper umbrellas. There are demonstrations and stalls where you can buy umbrellas and fantastic mulberry writing paper. There is even a beauty pageant for the title of Miss Bo Sang.

Wat Phra Sing: This Wat is home to Phra Buddha Sihing, considered Chiang Mai's important and sacred Buddha mage.

Wat Chiang Man: Situated in town, this was the first temple built in Chiang Mai around 1300. Formerly it was the residence of King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai.

Wat Chedi Luang: Located in town. It was built in 1411 and was damaged by an earthquake in 1545 and was never restored. Inthakhin, the City Pillar is situated here.

Wat Phra That: Located on Doi Suthep, which also is also a national park. This Wat is the north's holiest due to a magical relic. The tale involves a relic that made a copy of itself before burial and a journey by an elephant with a shrine on its back to find a site for a permanent temple. This is a great trip to get started in Chiang Mai. Catch a songthaew outside Chang Phuak Gate (north gate) and for under Baht 200 you get a round trip journey that also includes Phu Phing Palace

Phu Phing Palace: This winter Palace is located 25 km west of Chiang Mai. It is 5 km past Doi Suthep and can be done on the same trip. Open Fri-Sun and holidays when the Thai Royal Family is not in residence.

Chiang Mai Zoo: Go and have some fun hanging out with the pandas and penguins. There is a lot to see here so if you like zoos be sure to check it out. Open daily 8am-9pm. 100Baht.

Chiang Mai National Museum: This museum has extensive art and cultural items from the Lanna (the old kingdom of the north) perion. The museum is located 2.5km north of the Chang Phuak Gate (north Gate). Open Wed-Sun 9-4. Baht 60

Dinner Cruise: Take a dinner cruise on the Ping River.

Cooking: There are some great cooking classes in Chiang Mai. Choose from single meal classes to full week courses.

Volunteering: If you are in a giving mood there are many places that will welcome your time. Help out a school for the blind or visit an orphanage and share some laughs with the kids (the HIV positive ones could use some extra laughs).

Shopping: Visit one of the ceramics factories and do some real factory outlet shopping.

Horse Riding: The Thai Army Cavalry base on Mae Rim Road has horses for hire if your equestrian skills are slipping. Open Sat-Sun 4-7pm.

Microlight Flight: Want to get some great pictures of Chiang Mai while being terrified then try this. Flights depart the Doi Saket area. 20 minutes for Baht 1200.

Chiang Mai Night Safari: One of only a few night safaris in Asia, this one is a fun spot to see some animals in a nocturnal habitat. A tiger and a Canadian grey wolf have escaped in the past and terrified the locals before being recaptured. Open daily Mon-Fri 1-4, Sat-Sun 10-4. Open nightly 6-midnight.

Day Trips: There is a huge and varied array of things to do within reach of Chiang Mai. Take a day trip out of the city and climb a waterfall, soak in a hot spring or do some hiking. Hiking trips can be for a couple of hours or even a few days.

Waterfalls and National Parks: There are numerous waterfalls and National Parks to explore on your own or on an organized tour. Namtok Mae Klang is a cascading waterfall that is a great spot to bring a packed lunch and have a picnic. Take highway 108 southwest from Chiang Mai for 55km and then go north on 1009 for 10km. If you like caves, Tham Borichinda is 10 minutes away. If you go 20 km further on 1009, you will come to Doi Inthanon National Park This park is one of Thailand's most famous National Parks and one of the best equipped to welcome visitors. There are lots of waterfalls and the highest mountaintop in the country. Op Luang National Park is another park in the area about 115 km southwest of Chiang Mai. Follow highway 108 past the town of Hot and watch for signs. There are accommodations on site at both National Parks. Phone +66 2562 0760 to reserve.

Chiang Rai: You can visit this city and see the sights on a day trip.