Chiang Mai Activities

Don't walk until you drop but find as many interesting sights as you will need to fill your memory of a truly exotic place. Get around by Tuk Tuk, Songtaeow or even Samlor when your feet tire and make it part of the experience. Remember the good walking shoes and watch your step.

Shopping is part of the experience and some bargains are always waiting to be found whether in the fixed price shops along the main streets or the stalls of the Night Bazaar where haggling (or at least spirited negotiations) can be a fine art.

Day tours have become increasingly popular in the last few years and can be self arranged with a telephone call or more commonly (and for the same price) through one of the tour booking agencies which can be found literally on every street corner and hotel or guesthouse lobby. Listed below are some of the most popular venues. Other links will take you to information on:

Learning

Shopping

Thai Body Massage

Elephant Shows

053-206247 or 053-206248

An elephant camp in the hills about a half hour's drive north of the city center. It has an elephant show, which includes elephants playing football and painting. You can also take half hour or one hour elephant rides.

* Mae Taeng Elephant Camp

053-271680

One of my favorite Chiang Mai activities. Well rehearsed show of elephants at work and at play and the opportunity to ride an elephant into the forest. Tours can be arranged to include a ride in a farmer's ox cart, a gentle bamboo raft ride down the Taeng river and other diversions.

Boat Trips

053-274822

Boats leave from beside the Riverside Restaurant every two hours beginning 9:00 a.m. for a leisurely ride down the Ping River, a stop for refreshments and a tour of a small herb garden before returning.

* Scorpion Tail Boat

053-260299

Operates daily from the Faham area. Cruise along the Ping river.

From the Air

053-398609, 053-398819

An exciting but restful Chiang Mai activity. Enjoy a bird's eye view from a hot air balloon.

* Discovery Adventure

053-868460, 053-867646. 081-952-5300

View Chiang Mai and surrounding areas in a pilot assisted 2-man microlight. 20 minute flights.

Horse Riding

053-217956

7 kilometers from the city on the Chotana-Mae Rim Road. Other activities are also available.

Interesting to Visit

Located on the road beyond Wat Doi Suthep (22km from town.) The royal winter palace has beautifully landscaped gardens open to the public when the Thai royal family is not in residence. This is one of the most popular Chiang Mai activities for Thai families. Open daily 08:30-11:30 & 13:00-15:00 with a small admission charge.

* Chiangmai Zoo

053-221179, 053-222479

On Huay Kaew Road at the foot of Doi Suthep. Boasts of more than 7,000 animals in a wooded natural environment. Currently the home of a pair of Giant Pandas from Sichuan, China. Open 8.00 to 17.00, daily.

* Huay Kaew Arboretum

Huay Kaew Road just before the Zoo. Open 8.30-17.00 daily.

* Night Safari

053-999000

A tram ride through some non-native wildlife exhibits. Mae Hia.Open 4 pm to 11 pm.

* Sankampaeng Hot Springs

053-929077

A variety of outdoor activities, 23 kms. east of Sankampaeng.

Muay Thai

Just For Fun

053-430059

Hang Dong District. Enjoy the speed of go-karting. Four types available for rent, ranging from beginners to competition models.

* Shooting

The physical Education College, on Sanarm Kila Road opens their shooting range to the public on Tuesdays-Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gun rental and ammunition prices vary.

* Jungle Bungy Jump

053-298442

A Chiang Mai activity for non faint of heart. The Jump Tower is 50 meters (165 ft.) over clear water. Open every day in Mae Rim from 8.30 A.M. to 5 P.M.