Offering panoramic views of Chiang Mai and the plains below, Doi Suthep is a hill about 3,500 feet high some twelve miles north west of the city. A zig-zag road leads upward to a 300 step staircase that leads to the famous temple of War Phrathat - avoid the walk by taking the cable car. The temple is dominated by a 24 metre chedi (religios memorial) topped with a five tiered parasol. the temple is a centre for meditation instruction frequently disturbed by visitors ringing the numerous bells that surround the compound.
Visit Maesa, the hilly, wooded area north of the city where for many people the main attraction is the Elephant Training Camp. The elephant is still a working animal in the north of Thailand and here visitors can watch elephants bathing, dragging logs and other feats in a daily show. In addition visit an orchid farm containing over 500 species and a small butterfly enclosure. After lunch, visit Bor Sang home of the 'umbrella village' famous for its colourful hand made umbrellas made from oiled rice paper, bamboo and local softwood before being brightly hand painted. Other handicrafts include workshop displays of silk and cotton weaving, teak wood and silver carving, and the making of celadon pottery. Demonstrations show the products being hand made from start to finish. Great for souvenir shoppers! |
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Thailand has a hilltribe population of
some half a million of which maybe a quarter live in
Chiang Mai province. Each tribe has a different language,
dress religion and culture. The Meo (or Hmong) are the
second largest group famed for their independence and
association with the poppy industry. The village at Doi
Pui shows another way of life and contains two small
"museum huts" that focus on hilltribe cultures
and opium production techniques.
