| City & Temples Tour |
Tour Code: CHMT 01-08
Duration of Tour 08.30 a.m.- 12.00 p.m. and 13.30 a.m. - 17.00 p.m. (Lunch excluded) |
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Visit and explore 4 revered temples in Chiangmai. All constructed during the Lanna period, each reflects the glory, splendors and nobility of a rich historical era. |
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In the West of the city lies Wat Suan Dok. |
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Built by King Kuna, the large white chedi towers above the numerous small ones and contains the ashes of the Lanna King and the remains of many generations of the old Chiangmai Royal family. |
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A short distance from Suan Dok Gate ( Western Gate ) is Wat Phra Singh. First built during the reign of Phra Chao Kham Fu ( 1328-1335 ) the temple compound includes the Lai Kam Chapel and the abbot of this important temple is the head of the local religious administration. |
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Lying smack in the heart of the city ( almost right in the middle of the square-walled city ) is Wat Chedi Luang. |
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The large chedi ( the biggest in the city ) behind the viharn was constructed by King Saen Muang Ma around 1401. |
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Originally 90 meters high, it is now a mere 40 meters as the result of an earthquake in 1545. |
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A small building near the main entrance encloses the “Sao Intakin” ( spirit of the city ). Last but not least is Wat Chiang Mun. |
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Lying in the Northern part of the old walled city, it is the oldest temple within the city walls. |
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Constructed by King Mengrai ( 1296-1311 ) the founder of Chiangmai, it is said that the king spent his last years at this temple. |
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After all this heavy stuff, how about something light. |
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Drive around the old city to see the moat surrounding it and the ruins of the city gates. |
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Then visit the largest central market, Worarot Market, alive with its daily hustle and bustle. |
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Exotic fresh fruits, preserved food, local delicacies, clothes galore, flowers and other nick nacks, all at reasonable prices. |
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Home Industries |
Tour Code: CHMT 02-08
Duration of Tour 08.30 a.m.- 12.00 p.m. and 13.30 a.m. - 17.00 p.m. (Lunch excluded) |
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A paradise program for shoppers prepared and willing to enjoy the fun art of shopping. |
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Folks, be sure you’ve got your credit cards and wads of lovely money….to splurge. |
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See exquisite native handicrafts actually being crafted by master craftsmen and their assistants. |
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Elaborate teak-wood carvings, intricate silverware, lustrous black lacquer ware, high-fired ceramics, famous Thai silk and cotton being woven the ancient traditional way on rustic wooden looms, paper-making being done in the ancient traditional way, hand-made paper and silk parasols in a rainbow hue of dazzling colors. |
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Watch skilled artists deftly and swiftly paint art-work on parasols. |
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It’s absolutely amazing. |
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Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall and Hill tribe Village |
Tour Code: CHMT 03-08
Duration of Tour 08.00 a.m. - 17.00 p.m. (Lunch included) |
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Lying south of Chiangmai, the granite mass of Doi Inthanon, at 8,500 feet above sea level, is the highest mountain in the country. |
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Designated as a national park, the moist natural environment is habitat to a large species of birds, animals, flowers and fauna. After a final steep climb, the summit is surprisingly flat though misty, cold and windy. |
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Visit the pagodas built in honor of their Majesties the King and Queen. A visitors’ center contains information in Thai and English. A small chedi above the visitors’ center contains the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon who died in 1897, the last independent ruler of Chiangmai, before the Kingdom of Lanna was incorporated into Siam. |
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Enjoy the cool cascading waters of Mae Klang and Vachiratharn waterfalls. |
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Visit a Meo hilltribe village which is a Royal sponsored project, and a poor Karen hilltribe village. |
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Lunch is included. ( The drive up to the top of the mountain is exhilarating. |
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Sweaters or warm jackets should be taken along as it can be extremely cold at the top.) |
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Experience Elephant Riding & Bamboo Rafting. |
Tour Code: CHMT 04
Duration of Tour 08.00 a.m. - 17.00 p.m. (Lunch included) |
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A pleasant scenic trip to the north of Chiang Mai. Amidst lush tropical jungle beside a meandering river, watch elephants take their daily bath. (OK guys, blow your trumpet and clean those nostrils). |
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A show of how these magnificent animals are used in the timber industry pushing, dragging and rolling logs in unison at the command of their mahouts. |
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And here comes the best part…”ride ‘em cowboy” time. It’s now time for an exciting 1 hour elephant ride over the hills and into the lush jungle. |
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You’ve got to “swing with the sway” as you rumble and thrash along…and hang on tight folks. (Elephants are very sure-footed animals). |
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Then experience a 15 minutes ox-cart ride back to the camp. (This form of transportation is probably similar to what your ancestors traveled in, in the Middle Ages). |
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A picnic lunch is provided under the cool jungle shade. |
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After lunch, enjoy a 1 hour “Huckleberry Finn” bamboo rafting trip on the placid MaeTaeng river. |
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Glide along in a summer dream. Visit an Orchid Nursery Farm filled with exotic orchid blooms. |
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A superb butterfly collection is also available for your perusal at a Butterfly Farm. |
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Return to Chiang Mai. |
