Doi Chiang Dao

Doi Chiang Dao. One of Thailand’s most impressive mountains, lies in the Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Reserve. To get there, follow route 107 from Chiang Mai to Fang then turn off to the left after 77 kilometres and drive to Chiang Dao Cave. Villagers there act as guides and can be hired as porters for the long, hard climb through the dense forest to the remote mountaintop.

Pa Pae Hot Springs

Pa Pae Hot Springs in Mae Taeng district is the largest hot springs in Thailand with the main geyser shooting up to 4 metres in the air. There is an intense smell of sulfur in the vicinity of the spring as the surrounding dense forest cuts down the strength of the wind. To get there, turn left from the Chiang Mai – Fang road at Mae Malai intersection, and proceed on Mae Malai – Pai road (route 1095) for 44 kilometres. Make a right walk of about 500 metres leads to this impressive spring. It is best to visit the site during the dry season

Wiang Kum Kam

In 1984, just outside the modern Chiang Mai metropolitan area, archaeologists uncovered the remains of an ancient city. Research concluded that this was the city of Wiang Kum Kam, one of many fortified cities built by King Mengrai as he consolidated his hold on the north. In fact, it appears that Mengrai may have lived at Wiang Kum Kam for a few years before Chiang Mai was constructed. Nearly 20 temple sites have been uncovered in the area, which lies between the Ping river and the Lamphun highway. The buildings were buried underground by years of flooding, which apparently is the reason Mengrai eventually moved his capital to Chiang Mai. In fact, the Ping river originally flowed along the north side of the town, but at some point during the Burmese occupation from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, the river changed course and now flows along the west side of the site. The change of course was apparently the final straw which caused the city to be largely abandoned for 300 years. The site is too large to cover on foot. The best way to see it is to start at the still working temple of Wat Chedi Liam, and tour the site by bicycle, tram or pony carriage. The nine main sites taken in on a typical tour are not greatly interesting compared to many of 's ancient sites. What does make the trip worthwhile is the gentle pace and scenery of the countryside viewed from the back of a carriage or on a bicycle. Although most of the sites are not much more than platforms and ruined chedis, there are two working temples in the area that date from the city's heyday at the end of the thirteenth century. One is your logical starting point, Wat Chedi Liam. The other, more vibrant temple is Wat Khan Tom (also known as Wat Chang Kum), where in fact the spirit of King Mengrai is said to still reside.

Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand

Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand, about 720 kilometers from Bangkok at an elevation of 1,027 feet (310 meters) above sea level. To the North it borders Myanmar’s Shan State while to the South it connects with Sam Ngao district of Tak province. Chiang Rai, Lamphun and Lampang lie to the East, and the West touches Pai, Khun Yuam and Mae Sareang districts of Mae Hong Sorn province.Chiang Mai’s geography comprises mainly groves and mountains with a broad plain in the middle of the region on both sides of Ping River. The province covers an area of 20,107.057 square kilometers (12,566,910 rai), made up of8,787,656 rai (69.92%) of forest, 1,611,283 rai (12.82%) of agricultural land and 2,167,971 rai (17.25%) of residential and other land.

Khao Laem Ya-Samet Island National Park

Khao Laem Ya-Samet Island National Park.11 kilometres form town turn of Sukhumvit Road is Mae Ramphuent beach, located within Khao Laem Ya-Samet Island National Park, 12 kilometres long beach on the way to Ban Kon Ao; a small fishing village with traditional way of life. The beach is clean with gentle slope which is suitable for swimming. On the shore there are several bungalows. A little further from Ban Kon Ao on the beach-front road to Khao Leam ya is covered with small shrubs and a cape jutting into the sea. Along one side of the hill is stretch beach where the headquarters of the Khao Leam Ya-Samet Island National Park is located.