Chiang Mai Attractions

The botanic garden, beyond the university, contains a wealth of exotic plants including orchids. The neighboring zoo, Thailand's largest, is well worth a visit, concentrating on native south Asian animals and rare species of birds and butterflies.

The old walled city is no longer the heart of Chiang Mai today, the new town center being situated just to the east, closer to the Menam Ping. Four of the five original city gates - Tha Phae (east), Suan Dok ("Flower Garden", west), Chang Phuak ("White Elephant", north) and San Poong (south-west) - have been rebuilt from designs based on old models.

Every evening Tha Phae Road and Chang Klan Road, between the east gate and the Menam Ping, are transformed into a huge street market with a multitude of stalls selling food, fabrics and typical local products (mainly from the hill tribes). There are also numerous small, mostly open-air, restaurants from which the colorful atmosphere can be imbibed.

Chiang Mai University, opened in 1965, is also situated north-west of the city on the way to Wat Doi Suthep. The university's Tribal Research Center and Museum is dedicated to the study of the hill tribes, and to ensuring their survival and that of their culture. The museum provides an interesting insight into the lives of the hill peoples. Examples of their craftwork are also on display.