Arriving Chiang Mai

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

This famous and important temple founded since 1383 enjoys a prominent position in Chiang Mai, overlooking the city from its mountainside perch. It sits about 3,520 feet above sea level and is accessible via a steep naga staircase comprising around 300 steps.

The temple has a huge golden chedi (spire), within which lie some holy Buddha relics that attract devotees from the world over. To reach the temple itself requires a climb up a naga staircase of 309 steps. For the faint of heart, there's also a funicular cable-car to the top which has just been re-built after several fatal crashes. The fare for the new improved funicular is 20 Baht per person.

The chedi is in a small courtyard at the very peak of the mountain. The courtyard building sits on a larger plaza containing several buildings as well as a lookout point from which you can see, weather permitting, all of Chiang Mai and the surrounding plain.

The visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Sunday. The site is situated at the Continuation of Huay Keaw Road, Chiang Mai 50300 Thailand.

Chiang Mai Zoo

The Chiang Mai Zoo has more than 6,000 animals in an environment comprising two waterfalls, reservoirs, an open park, camping spots and animal breeding areas. Among its recent arrivals are 10 penguins, the first ever in Thailand; gibbons, which are bred successfully; and Chayo, the baby elephant, born at the time of the Leonid meteor shower, who became the symbol of the Bangkok Asian Games. The entrance fee for adult is THB40 and for child is THB20.

Tha Pae Gate

This is one of the five main gates to the old city of Chiang Mai, and a major landmark as well. It was first called Pratu Chiang Ruak because it was situated near Chiang Ruak village when it was built in the reign of King Mangrai in 1296. Each corner and each main gate of the old city faces the eight main points of the compass, with one extra gate on the south side.

You can visit anytime at Moon Muang Road, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand.