Chiang Mai Province
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©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Chiang Mai Province Includes ¨ Why Go? Chiang Mai .................306 Thailand’s northern capital is an overnight train ride and Mae Rim ....................354 light years away from the bustle and bombast of Bangkok. Chiang Dao ................355 Wrestled from Burmese control by the kingdom of Siam, the Doi Ang Khang ........... 357 former capital of the Lanna people is a captivating collec- tion of glimmering monasteries, manic markets, modern Fang ...........................358 shopping centres, and quiet residential streets that would Tha Ton ......................358 not look amiss in a country village. San Kamphaeng Chiang Mai is more country retreat than mega-metropolis, & Bo Sang .................360 but this historic city has evolved into a major traveller cen- Hang Dong ................361 tre, luring everyone from backpacking teenagers to young Ban Tawai ...................361 families, round-the-world retirees and a huge contingent of youthful tourists from China, who are redefining the travel- Doi Inthanon National Park .............361 ler experience in the city. Historic monasteries and cooking courses are just part of the picture. The surrounding province is a jumble of for- ested hills, and thrill seekers flock here for rafting, hiking, mountain biking and other adrenaline-charged activities, Best Places to Eat while less energetic visitors interact with elephants, soak ¨ SP Chicken (p340) in hot springs and wander around experimental farms and lush botanic gardens. ¨ Talat Pratu Chiang Mai (p341) ¨ Ginger & Kafe @ The When to Go House (p342) ¨ Chiang Mai is at its best during the cool season, roughly ¨ Tengoku (p344) from November to February, when temperatures are mild and ¨ Chiang Dao Nest (p357) rain is scarce. ¨ The hot season runs from March until June, and the mercury regularly climbs above 35°C; pick a hotel with a pool! Best Places to Stay ¨ Songkran in April is Chiang Mai’s biggest festival – and ¨ Anantara Resort & Spa biggest party – but book well ahead for transport and (p338) accommodation. ¨ Rachamankha (p336) ¨ Baan Orapin (p338) ¨ Mo Rooms (p336) ¨ Awanahouse (p334) Mae Salong 305 110 Doi Pha Hompok Mae Salak National Park Tha 0 50 km Ton 0 25 miles Chiang Rai Doi Ang Khang Fang (1928m) 109 1 MYANMAR 107 CHIANG RAI Pha Daeng CHIANG National Park MAI Doi Chiang Doi Luang Dao National Park (2175m) Si Lanna Mae Hong Son Chiang Dao National Park Phayao Mae Taeng MAE Chae Son HONG 118 National Park SON Suthep-Pui Mae Rim National Park San Kamphaeng Doi Saket Samoeng Hot Springs Bo Sang Mae Kampong LAMPANG Chiang Mai San Kamphaeng 108 Hang Dong Kheuan Doi Inthanon PROVIN MAI CHIANG Ban Tawai Mae Chang 108 Lamphun 1 Doi Inthanon Pasang National Park Doi Khun Tan Salawin National Park National Park Chom Thong Ping 11 Lampang Ob Luang Nam National Park Mae e Sariang 1184 108 Hot Ma 11 PHRAE g C an Yom Mae Ngao E W National Park C hian e Nam ae Ma M Ban Sop 106 Ngao M G 1 CHIANG M 105 LAMPHUN ai ae Nam MAI 101 P Thoen Mae Ping R OV National Park 102 Moei inc LAMPANG Kheuan H E Phumiphon 1 I G H L I G hts Chiang Mai Province Highlights 1 Taking in Chiang Mai’s 3 Learning how to make 6 Exploring the mystical golden trinity – Wat Phra green curry during a Chiang Chiang Dao cave (p356) in Singh (p307), Wat Chedi Mai cooking class (p328). Chiang Dao. Luang (p311) and Wat Phra 4 Joining the human shopping 7 Jungle bathing in the That Doi Suthep (p322). parade at the Saturday hot springs (p361) at San 2 Meeting monks at Monk Walking Street and Sunday Kamphaeng. Chat (p328) and discovering Walking Street (p316). 8 Scaling Doi Inthanon what motivates Chiang Mai’s 5 Plunging into the (p361) to see plunging falls men in orange. commercial beehive of Talat and modernist chedi (stupas). Warorot (p317)..