Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If You Like...
River Cruises
Mae Ping is rural and rustic in most parts with grassy banks and small stilted houses
crouching alongside. There are several day and evening boat tours that explore this wa-
terway.
1 SCORPION TAILED RIVER CRUISE
( 08 1960 9398;
www.scorpiontailed.com
; Th Charoenrat; fare 500B)
Focuses
on the history of the river using traditional-style craft, known as scorpion-tailed
boats. Informative cruises (five daily) last 1½ hours. They depart from Wat Srik-
hong pier near Rim Ping Condo and stop for a snack at the affiliated Scorpion
Tailed Boat Village.
2 MAE PING RIVER CRUISES
( 0 5327 4822;
www.maepingrivercruise.com
;
Wat Chaimongkhon, 133 Th Char-
oen Prathet)
Offers daytime cruises (450B, two hours) in roofed long-tail boats.
The boats stop at a small farm for fruit snacks after touring the countryside. The
1½-hour Thai dinner cruise (550B) offers a set menu.
WAT PHAN TAO
Temple
( Th Phra Pokklao; donations appreciated)
Near Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao
contains a beautiful old teak
wí·hăhn
that was once a royal residence and is today
one of the unsung treasures of Chiang Mai. Constructed entirely of moulded teak
panels fitted together and supported by 28 gargantuan teak pillars, the
wí·hăhn
fea-
tures
naga
bargeboards inset with coloured mirror mosaic. On display inside are old
temple bells, some ceramics, a few old northern-style gilded wooden Buddhas, and
antique cabinets stacked with old palm-leaf manuscripts.
WAT CHIANG MAN
Temple
