Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The temple was first used during Phaya Mengrai's rule in the 14th century. The monas-
tery was abandoned at a later date and wasn't reactivated until a local Thai prince
sponsored a restoration in the late 1940s. The since-deceased Ajan Buddhadasa Bhikkhu,
a well-known monk and teacher at southern Thailand's Wat Suanmok (a famous medita-
tion temple), sent a number of monks to re-establish a monastic community at Wat U
Mong in the 1960s.
Also on the grounds is a small artificial lake, surrounded by
gù·đì
(monastic cottages).
Chiang Mai University
(CMU; Th Huay Kaew & Th Suthep)
The city's principal public university was established in 1964.
The main campus occupies a 2.9 sq km wedge of land, about 2km west of the city centre,
that has preserved much of its original forest character. There are bike lanes throughout
the campus and cafes for pit-stops.
The area around the university on Th Huay Kaew is referred to as 'nâh mor' (in front of
the university), and on Th Suthep as 'lăng mor' (behind the university).
UNIVERSITY
Chiang Mai University Art
Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.cmumuseum.org
;
Th Nimmanhaemin; 9am-5pm Tue-Sun)
The museum displays tempor-
ary exhibitions of contemporary Thai and international artists. There's no permanent col-
lection and the museum collaborates with established and emerging artists so the special
shows can be a bit hit and miss.
Chiang Mai Night Safari
( 0 5399 9000;
www.chiangmainightsafari.com
;
Rte 121/Th Klorng Chonprathan; safari adult/child 800/400B;
11am-10pm)
This attraction is open during the day, but the real action happens at night when
an open-sided tram transports visitors through the park. The Predator Prowl and Savannah
Safari are the two zones visited during these night safaris and English-language trams
leave at 7.45pm and 9.30pm, and 8.30pm and 10.15pm, respectively.
Non-human-eating animals - including wildebeest, giraffe, rhinoceros and zebra -
come right up to the tram. In the Predator Prowl section, the tigers, lions, Asiatic black
bears and crocodiles are kept at a safe distance by deep trenches.
ZOO
