Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you have more time head down the road 2.5 miles to the Phra Tamnak Phu Phing, a
winter palace that is still in use by the royal family but you can visit the palace and gardens
when the family is out. Further along is a small Hmong tribe village called Ban Doi Pui
whichofferscraftsandothersouvenirstovisitors.NearbytoDoiPuiisanoften-overlooked
reserve with more than three hundred species of birds so bring your binoculars along. To
visit a less commercialized village then go another 4.5 miles to Kun Chang Kian Mong
where you can find a fresh cup of coffee straight from the coffee plantation right before the
village.
From Chiang Mai you can go on one- or multi-day tours, hiking through forests, rafting
down the river and getting a chance to see more of the region beyond the inside of a tuk-
tuk. Many of the trips include visits to the hill tribes in the close vicinity of the city. Do
a little research of the villages you will visit as some of them can appear to be commer-
cially packaged cultural experiences. To find a more authentic interaction you can search
for less visited villages like Kun Chang Kian Mong or book a tour with a smaller operator.
If you are looking for the ultimate genuine experience then you should consider hiring a
local guide to take you to places off the tourist map to see traditional villages that are un-
spoiled by previous visitors.
In and near Chiang Mai there are many adrenaline activities to choose from like ziplining,
paragliding and rock climbing to name a few. The Flight of the Gibbon offers three hours
of zipping through the rainforest canopy and time to explore a nearby waterfall. In the Mae
Rim area there is no shortage of entertainment, you can go bungee jumping, visit a snake
farm and the butterfly farm all in the same day.
For those wanting to keep their feet on the ground you can explore beneath the surface, lit-
erally. There are a few cave systems in northern Thailand with the most popular one being
Chiang Dao, 43 mi from Chiang Mai. The name means "city of stars" and the limestone
peaks are an incredible 7,174 feet high, the third highest in Thailand. Once inside you will
see crystal formations and natural limestone, stalactites and stalagmites. You can explore
two of the caverns on your own but it is best to hire a guide and lantern for the last three
so that you don't get lost or fall down a hole. The ceiling can be low at some points so you
may have to duck, crawl and climb into the caverns so if you are traveling with a group
make sure everyone is up for the challenge.
Another spectacular cave system called Muang On is less than 20 miles to the east of Chi-
ang Mai. What it lacks in prestige it makes up for in lack of tourists since most go to
the Chiang Dao caves. It is also more accessible with higher ceilings and a concrete path
that you can wander at will. Muang On is in the San Kamphaeng District which also has
