Mae Pan Waterfalls in Chiang Mai

Mae Pan Waterfalls

Mae Pan Waterfall at Km. 6.6 on the Mae Chaem road is the turn-off to Mae Pan Waterfall. The laterite access road descends about two kilometers to the Mae Chaem Ranger Station and campground, and is suitable for any vehicle although the road can be slippery on the uphill after a heavy rain. The area is quiet, of the beaten track, and can be described as the backcountry of Doi Inthanon Park. It offers a rewarding loop hike of 1 to 2 hours through untouched terrain with small waterfalls and tumbling creeks along most of the route. You can walk along the whole loop since it is largely unmarked, but any visitor can walk the 800 meters to Mae Pan Falls and back again, as wall as the 200 meters to Huay Sai Luaeng Falls (just beyond the campground).

Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai

Maesa Elephant Camp

"Maesa Elephant Camp" flanks a rushing river in a beautiful lush tropical valley a mere twenty minutes scenic drive from downtown Chiang Mai. Having been open for nearly thirty years and currently home to seventy eight elephants, we have become leaders and experts in the field of elephant breeding, training, healthcare and sustainable tourism. Asian elephants have long been used as beasts of burden by man - transportation, timber logging or in war.


In the early days of elephant camps these were the main abilities showcased, but it was the camp’s founder, Choochart Kalmapijit’s understanding of the deep intelligence of elephants that inspired him to establish Maesa Elephant Camp in 1976. Over the years Choochart purchased elephants from all over the country, and with their mahouts and other experts, worked and fell in love with the elephants, revealing one skill or fact after another about these pachyderms that have not only
helped to develop Maesa’s reputations over the years, but help further the cause of the conservation and future of the Asian elephant.


The wellbeing and nourishment of our elephants are of prime importance and the total of six tons of grass, bananas and sugarcane that go to feed our elephants daily are self grown. We also grow special grasses and herbs which all combine to assure the health and well being of all our elephants. Being the first elephant camp certified by ISO 9001 version 2008, we are determined to offer visitors a new-age elephant camp which gives our visitors a real glimpse into the lives and facts about elephants.
What they eat, how they live, their biology, their future or plight as well as the continued development and promotion of their skills, intelligence and abilities are of utmost importance to our long term goals.


Of great significance is Choochart’s founding of the Association for the Thai Elephant Procreation to encourage the breeding so that the future of the Asian elephants is assured. At the turn of the twentieth century there were over one hundred thousand elephants in Thailand, today there are less than five. Through research, years of trial and error and a determination to succeed, Maesa now has a very successful breeding programme. Only the best bulls and cows are selected for the procreation programme which has lead to the birth of
many healthy baby elephants. One thing you can always be assured of is that elephants at Maesa Elephant Camp are, and always will be, mentally and physically healthy.

Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai

Mae Sa Waterfall

Mae Sa Waterfall is another ‘iconic’ image of Chiang Mai, although it is somewhat less famous than some other sites. The waterfall has 8 tiers and set against a backdrop of huge trees it is very impressive. The climate around the waterfall is cool throughout the year and it is a very popular meeting place for locals. For foreigners, the trip is often combined with a visit to the Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre

How to get there: Mae Sa Waterfall is about 25 kilometers north of Chiang Mai on the Mae Rim-Samoeng Road. A number Songtaews are available from the city to the waterfall.

Fang Hot Springs in Chiangmai

Fang Hot Springs

Hot springs shooting up to the sky in this large national park on the outskirts of Chiang Mai .

This large park is situated at the northern limit of Chiang Mai Province and has a long border with Myanmar (Burma). It is one of the least spoiled areas of Thailand. Doi Pa Hom Bok Clum, 2285 meters high, is the second tallest mountain in Thailand, strong winds blow all round and have caused the mountain to have a flat top from where there is a magnificent view. There are several spectacular waterfalls and caves. The splendid virgin forest contains a wide range of unusual and rare flora and fauna.

Ten kilometres from the town of Fang, are the headquarters of the park where maps and information can be obtained. Here, too, are the famous hot springs. Covering an area of fourteen rai, a number of boiling geysers shoot from the ground - this is a lovely place for a picnic and the whole area is beautifully kept.

In 1989 in cooperation with a French company, an Israeli geothermal power plant was installed using the pressure of hot water from a hundred meter deep well. Electricity generated is supplied to the national grid. This project has been carefully planned so as not to spoil the environment. The staff are always proud to show visitors around the plant. To the south of Fang are non-commercial oil wells exploited by the army. Songteaw taxis from Chiang Mai to Fang are perhaps a rather uncomfortable mode of travel but leave regularly and are inexpensive. Due to its remoteness there are not many tours to the Fang area but for the adventurous, treks to the region will take you into the heart of the wild.

Chiang Mai Night Safari in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Night Safari

Opened recently, Chiang Mai Night Safari offers the adventurous the opportunity to head off into the animal kingdom while keeping a safe distance from urban creature comforts and a nice hotel!

Only the third night safari in the world (Singapore and Guangxi, China also having them), Chiang Mai Night Safari has proven an immediate hit with visitors and locals alike. Officially opening 1st January, 2006, the safari has been open to the public free of charge and countless visitors have been taking advantage with 40,000 people to date having visited the safari each night and numbers increasing at weekends - way, way over capacity!

The Safari offers a series of trails over three main zones. The Jaguar Trail offers visitors a walk of around 1,200 meters and is open during the day and at night. The Savanna Safari and Predator Prowl areas use rail cars to move visitors around. This is the ideal opportunity to observe wildlife at night.

For further information you can check the Night Safari’s website, but, surprisingly, it is entirely Thai language. No doubt that will change shortly.

Contact:
Chaing Mai Night Safari
Thanon NongKauy
A.Tangkong
Chang Mai 50230
Tel: (053) 999-000
Fax:(053) 999-099

Bangkok Office
33/13 Moo 4 Ratanatibat Road
Srimaeneun
Muang
Nontaburi 11000
Tel: 0-25954384-87, 0-2595-4390-91
Fax: (Bangkok) 0-2595-4387

Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai

Night Bazaar

The Night Bazaar, or Kad Luang (Royal Market) as it is know by locals, is one of Chiang Mai's biggest draws. Located right in the centre of the city on Ping River, it is easily accessible and if you are in Chiang Mai a visit is almost obligatory. The market attracts huge crowds every evening and it is a great place to pick up trinkets and gifts. Given the market’s close proximity to the companies that manufacture them, the price of local handicrafts is attractively cheap here.
The market has huge arcades which hold a multitude of shops and stalls. The place is so packed that stalls actually spill over onto the footpaths around the market. It’s a big place to wander around, and you should put away at least a couple of hours to do it. Aside from local handicrafts, you can buy virtually anything you can think of at the market – ‘Rolex’ watches, silk, jewelry and more high-tech items like TVs and DVD plays and CDs. As with many markets, the Night Bazaar also offers some of the best street food you are likely to come across. Catering for the large number of foreigners visiting, the bazaar also offers camera shops, travel agents and internet cafes. Be prepared to bargain – to get the best price you will have to. One service the bazaar offers that seems eternally popular is portrait paintings from photos. Alternatively, have your portrait painted in Thai costume!

How to get there: The Night Bazaar is on Chang Klan Road between Tha Pae Road and Si Donchai Road. If you are staying in Chiang Mai it is probably within walking distance, but if you want to take a Tuk-Tuk the fare will be around 20 Baht from the centre of town.

Khantoke Dinners in Chiang Mai

Khantoke Dinners

A very popular activity in Chiang Mai is attending Khantoke Dinners and Cultural Shows. There are a number to choose from and they feature a selection of traditional dances and performances unique to the area. Shows include Fon Lep (or ‘Finger Dancing’), Fon Thean (or ‘Candle Dancing’) and Ram Dab (or ‘Sword Dancing’). While you are watching the performances you eat northern-style Thai food served in a traditional fashion – you sit on the floor and food is served on low tables! The cost of Khantoke Dinners varies but is usually within the 500 Baht to 1,000 Baht a person range. The following is a list of a few places in Chiang Mai where you can experience Khantoke Dinners:

Nakorn Lanna 129684
Changklan RoadChiangmai
Tel: (053) 818-428-9, 818-400
Open: 19:00 onwards

Mae Ping Khantoke (Imperial Mae Ping Hotel)
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel
Seedonchai RoadChiangmai
Tel: (053) 283-900

Old Chiangmai Cultural Center
185/3 Wualai RoadChiangmai
Tel: (053) 275-097, 274-540, 202-993-5
Fax: (053) 274-094Open: 19:00 to 21:30

Khum Khantoke
Chiangmai Business Park
130 Moo 4
Nong Pakrung Chiangmai
Tel: (053) 304-121-2, 260-504
Fax: (053) 304-123