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Sightseeing Overview
Chiang Mai is surrounded by a giant ring road, the Superhighway. Within this cordon, the city is split into two main parts: the old town, set within a 1.5-sq-km (0.6-square-miles) moat and the last remnants of the original city walls, is home to most of the city’s famous and fascinating traditional wats (temples) and other religious sights.

Between the moat and the Ping River to the east lies the new town, which is home to most of Chiang Mai’s shops, business and banks. Most guesthouses, hotels and restaurants are situated between the two districts, around the landmark Tha Pae Gate, which stands in the middle of the East Moat.

Tourist Information
TAT Information office
105/1 Thanon Chiang Mai-Lamphun
Tel: (053) 248 604.

The tourist office is on the east bank of the river, south of Nawarat Bridge. Free maps and information brochures are available from the English-speaking staff.

Good information about what is happening in the city as well as articles on local events and culture can be gleaned from several free local magazines, including Citylife (website: www.chiangmainews.com) and Welcome to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai (website: www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com), which features extensive hotel and business listings. These magazines are distributed free at money exchanges, cafés and in hotel lobbies. Additional information about the city and region can be found online at One Stop Chiang Mai (website: www.1stopchiangmai.com).

Key Attractions:

Wat Phra Singh
This is probably the single most impressive collection of traditional Lanna architecture in the city. The wooden scripture storehouse, inlaid with glass mosaic and set on a base decorated with stucco angels, is the best example of its kind in northern Thailand. Hidden behind the largest building in the complex is a wooden chedi (spired monument similar to a stupa), constructed in 1345, and the beautiful Viharn Lai Kam, whose squat, multi-tiered roof, gold-stencilled interior and narrative murals are exquisite examples of Lanna styling. Inside is a portly, much-revered bronze Buddha figure, Phra Singh.

Thanon Ratchdamnoen at Thanon Singarat
Free admission.

Wat Chedi Luang
This faded pink-red temple is centered on a giant, partially ruined chedi, which was reduced from 90m (295ft) tall to just 60m (197ft) by an earthquake in 1545. Once covered in bronze plates and gold leaf, it was home to the famous Emerald Buddha for 80 years before it was transferred to Bangkok. Renovations began and although replacement elephants at the base of the stairs and nagas, mythical serpents, along their length have been built, work has now been abandoned since nobody knows what the original spire looked like. In an unprepossessing building stands the revered Inthakin Post, the founding pillar of the city.

Thanon Phra Pokklao
Free admission.

Wat Chiang Man
This is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and features traditional northern Thai architecture and massive teak columns. It is also home to two celebrated holy Buddha images. The Phra Sila is a graceful carved stonework originally from Sri Lanka or India, whilst the Phra Setangamani, or Crystal Buddha, shuttled back and forth between Thailand and Laos. The latter is famed for its rain-bringing properties. A small chedi at the back of the complex stands on the backs of a herd of stone elephants.

Thanon Wiang Kaeo at Thanon Ratchaphakhinai
Free admission.

Chiang Mai National Museum
This national museum boasts the best display of artifacts in Chiang Mai. Displays include artifacts and skeletons unearthed by local archaeologists, photographs of cave paintings found in the region and ceramics. Elsewhere exhibits explore Chiang Mai’s history, look at the region’s growth and development, and detail contemporary life in the city. However, the most important section looks at Thai religious art, and features hundreds of Buddha images in different styles and sizes.

Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway
Tel: (053) 221 308.
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
Admission charge.

The Tribal Museum and Ratchamangkla Park
Beyond the artfully landscaped Ratchamangkla Park, overlooking a tree-lined lake, stands a Chinese-style pagoda, which houses this absorbing museum. Three floors of displays featuring handicrafts, costumes, jewelry, utensils and ceremonial paraphernalia explain a little about each of the hill tribes in the region. The displays give an impression of the agricultural activities, ceremonies and festivals of each group, providing a genuine insight into the way of life of these people.

Thanon Chotana
Tel: (053) 210 872.
Free admission.

Further Distractions:

Chiang Mai Zoo
Set in a pleasant 15-hectare (36-acre) park at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain, this impressive gathering of more than 7,000 birds and animals began as a collection of missionary family pets. The conditions for the animals are reasonable and varied. In addition to the usual larger mammals (elephants, giraffes, etc), the zoo is currently home to two giant pandas, on loan from China until 2013. Feeding times for all the animals are clearly posted. A children’s zoo, aviary and freshwater aquarium add extra interest.

Thanon Huai Kaeo
Tel: (053) 222 479.

Wat Umong
This charming park, which includes a lake filled with carp, features a chedi that was built in the 1830s for a talented clairvoyant but troubled monk who was prone to wandering off into the forest to meditate. Tunnels beneath the chedi are decorated with paintings of flowers, animals and birds to simulate the monk’s preferred habitat, whilst a series of ornate nagas (mythical serpents) guard the staircase that ascends the overgrown chedi itself and a platform, upon which stands a grisly statue of the fasting Buddha, all ribs and veins.

Soi Wat Umong
Free admission.

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