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 ChiangMai
Carnival Tour - ChiangMai
 
 e-mail
: vieng@chiangmai-online.com
 ChiangMai
is a truly historical city (ChiangMai's 700th Anniversary was indeed celebrated
in 1996) with a distinct beauty and heritage of its own. Blending Burmese,
Laotian and Indian culture, the Lanna culture is unique. In addition to
special dishes found only in the North, the people of ChiangMai have their
own dialect, their own customs and their own Lanna architecture, immediately
recognizable on the ancient temples that can be seen everywhere in the
city.
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1)
Wat Suan Dok and Wat Chet Yot
You start your day with the visit of the most
photographed and most inspiring temples of ChiangMai : Wat Suan Dok (built
in a 14th century pleasure garden) and Wat Chet Yot (built in 1447 by Lanna
architects recently returned from Buddhagaya, the site of the Buddha's
enlightenment in northern India over 2,500 years ago)
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2)
ChiangMai National Museum
The ChiangMai National Museum (open Wednesday
through Sunday) provides a superb overview of Lanna Thai Culture including
works of art, war weapons and ancient Buddha images.
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3)
Kruba Srivichai Monument and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
After your lunch, you head for Doi Suthep - the
holy hill west of ChiangMai - on an steep road meandering for 12 km (7.5
miles) up the flanks of the mountain ('Doi'). On the way, you stop at the
popular Kruba Srivichai Monument (which honours the man whose followers
built the first motor road to the mountain in 1935).
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, perched high on the flank
of the hill, 1,022 m (3,000ft) above sea level, is Chang Mai most famous
temple. The pagoda in its centre contains some of the relics of the Lord
Buddha. The temple is visited thoughout the year by thousands of tourists
and Buddhist pilrims from all over the world.
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4)
Phuping palace
On the way back, you drive onto a road wich mounts
through pine forest to Phuping Palace (if open), the summer residence of
the royal family. The beautifull flower gardens are open to the public
from 8.30am to 4.00pm Friday to Sunday and on official holyday.
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With
an abundance of mountains, forests, valleys, waterfalls, caves, lakes and
parks in the area, Chiang Mai abounds in natural beauty. The natural attractions
of the city are indeed popular tourist destinations. In addition, if merely
contemplating nature leaves you yawning, you may want to consider elephant
treks through the jungle or river rafting....
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9.40
- Pong Yang Elephant Camp
You start your day along the Mae Rim- Samoeng
route, inside the Mae Sa Valley, with a visit to the Pong Yang Elephant
Training Centre -30 kms from town - where elephants demonstrate their formidable
and highly valued forestry skills.
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Mae
Sa Waterfalls
Back on the road, you head then for the Mae Sa
Waterfalls, a eight level waterfall which occupies a tranquil setting amid
gigantic trees.
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Mae
Sa Butterfly Farm and Orchid Farm
Your next attraction is the Mae Sa Butterfly Farm
where a large variety of beautiful butterflies are raised in a spacious
garden. The farm gift shop sells framed butterfly specimens, a wide variety
continuously blooming orchids and jewelry made from fresh flowers electroplated
in gold.
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(ChiangMai
Snake farm)
You have the option of stopping at the ChiangMai
Snake Farm to safely observe these dangerous reptiles.
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Lunch
at Huay Thung Thao (lake)
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10.00
- Chiang Dao Elephant Camp
You start your day heading for Chiang Dao, north
of ChiangMai, winding along the bends of the road high above the Mae (River)
Ping. You will arrive at the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp in time for the 40
minute, 10 am show.
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(Elephant-Back
Amble Around)
After the show, you have the option of taking
a one hour elephant ride.
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Rafting
down the Mae Ping River
Next on your programme is an exciting bamboo raft
ride down the Mae Ping to Tha Rua.
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Chiang
Dao Caves
Returning to the highway you will drive to Chiang
Dao and its famous caves. These sacred caves are filled with Budda images
and deep recesses that must be explored with oil lantern carrying local
guides.
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When
shopping in Chiang Mai, you should think of the many handicrafts that are
part of the city's history; Sah paper Umbrellas, Celedon and other delicate
ceramics, dazzling gems and jewelry, all sorts of silverware, intricately
designed lacquerware, Thai silk, woodcarvings, antiques and semi-antiques,
furniture, etc. Whatever you are looking for, you'll surely find a buy
in Chiang Mai that you will be pleased with.
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1)
ChiangMai - Sankampaeng Road
The largest and most popular of the local handicraft
factories are situated along a 13 km stretch of the ChiangMai - Sankampaeng
Road. Both sides of the road are lined with factories and showrooms which
give you the opportunity to both observe the production of the crafts and
purchase your favorites. When shopping, this is certainly the best area
to visit.
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2)
Bor Sang Village
Another area that must be seen on the Sankampaeng
road is Bor Sang - the world-famous village which sells cotton umbrellas
and paper parasols handpainted in variety of floral and animals designs.
Generations of Bor Sang families have been engaged in umbrella and parasol
making for over 200 years.
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3) Lunch
at Baan Suan Restaurant
For lunch, you can head for delicious Thai food
or just a cool drink in the beautiful garden at Baan Suan Restaurant.
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If
you want to keep up an exercise programme or continue in a sport while
abroad, you won't be at loss in ChiangMai. Only a few kms away from town,
you'll find sports clubs located in the heart of private villages, offering
everything when it comes to physical fitness : tennis courts, swimming
pool, saunas, weight rooms, aerobics room. In addition, there are good
restaurants which offer a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery.
e-mail
: vieng@chiangmai-online.com
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