Rightfully trumpeted as Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is an alluring city brimming with glittering temples, enticing jungle, mouth-watering street food and the bustle of lively markets. As the gateway to the Thai hills, Chiang Mai has grown far beyond the medieval city walls that once marked it as the original capital of the northern Lanna Kingdom. Still, its temple-lined backstreets conjure up the glory of the great Thai dynasties and it remains a city steeped in culture and tradition.
PATARA ELEPHANT FARM – The Patara Elephant Farm in Chiang Mai is real, harmonious elephant sanctuary. It is not for those who want to see elephant shows but a place to create trust and relationship between you and elephants. What you harvest is the hands-on experience of being an “elephant owner” and a richer understanding of the emotions and intelligence of elephants.
With the conservation philosopher of “extinction is forever”, the Patra Elephant Farm offers the chance for visitors to experience the beautiful animal that should be treasured. During the visit you are trained to approach your elephant correctly, know the elephant’s temperament, feed and check its health, learn how to take care of your own elephant, how to ride on its neck and communicate through different spoken commands. And the real fun comes when you get to go trekking with your elephants through the beautiful forests, into streams, and to a beautiful waterfall where you bathe and brush it. The “Elephant owner for a day” must be your fantastic memorable day, and sure is one of your highlights of your Thailand tour.
ANUSAWARI SAM KASAT (THREE KINGS MONUMENT) – The iconic Three Kings Monument (Anusawari Sam Kasatn in Thai language) is located in front of Chiang Mai Cultural Center, in the area where the former rulers of Chiang Mai built their palaces. The monument was constructed in memory of the alliance of three northern Thai-Lao kings who made a great contribution to the founding of Chiang Mai: King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai and other two kings who worked together to build the city.
The sculpture of the three kings wearing 14th-century royal gard has been something of icon representing Chiang Mai. Local people come regularly to pay homage to their beloved king with offerings of flowers, incense and candles. There are various commemorative activities held in the square in front of the Three Kings Monument. When you travel to Chiang Mai, do check out this place and hear your tour guide telling the city’s history.
WAT PHRA SINGH – The Wat Phra Singh is the most visited temple in Chiang Mai. It is noted for the most revered Buddha image in the city – the Phra Singh, which gave the temple the name when it was brought to the temple from India in 1367.
The Wat Phra Singh was first constructed in 1345 when a chedi (stupa) was built to house the ashes of King Kham Fu. The main attraction of the temple complex is the Wihan Lai Kham housing the Phra Buddha statue, which is a prime example of Lanna architecture with its remarkable murals depicting ancient costumes and folklores. But the Wat Phra Singh is more than just the Phra Singh statue. It also has several other buildings such as a temple library that is one of the most beautiful one of its kind in Thailand, an ubosot built in 1806 containing a south entrance for monks and a north entrance for nuns and a replica of Emerald Buddha.
