Local Attractions in Chiang Mai
The Natural Beauty of Chiang Mai, and Mountain Valley

Mon Cham is located on a hill ridge in the area of Mong Nong Hoi village, Mae Rim. The area was previously a desolate forest. Later, villagers came over the area and turned it into Opium farm. Finally, the Royal Project took over and changed the area into Nong Hoi Royal Project. There are many viewpoints up here where you can spot the spectacular view of green mountains and the whole area of the Royal Project as well as the sea mist. The southern part of the area is Mong Nong Hoi village and the development centre of Royal Project which is surrounded by vegetable bed for the purpose of researching.  The weather gets chilly all year round and the perfect time to visit to Mon Cham is from October to February. 

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 8.4 KM 

Thailand’s very first botanic garden is located 800m above sea level covering a mountainous area of 560 acres and displays a vast collection of plants from different climates around the world.  The garden features several highlights including a Rainforest Glasshouse where you get to walk amid abundant kinds of plants from all tropical forests in Asia. There is a Thailand’s longest canopy walkway, stretches for 369m, winding along the mountainside.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 18.6 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

The park is named after the mountain where the hermit Sudeva lived on its slopes for many years.  Doi Suthep is part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range, most of its bedrock is granite.  The main attractions of the park is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which is built near the Peak of Doi Suthep Mountain at 1055 meters above the sea level.  Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, generally referred as Doi Suthep Temple, it is a Theravada Buddhist temple with holy shrines, pagodas, statues and murals around. The temple can be reached from the main road through the national park, accessible by walking 309 steps steep up or by tram. The way up is flanked by trees and Naga snake figures

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 65 KM 

Opening times are irregular, people seen in the temple from very early in the morning from around 5 to 6 am, closes around 7 pm.

Wat Chedi Luang temple is home to Chiang Mai’s largest Buddhist, featuring 98 meters tall and 54 meters in diameter. The construction of the original chedi was completed in 1481, but the current Chedi is a restoration according to the deconstruction in 1545 due to an earthquake. The ordination hall located in the front is also an example of beautiful Lanna architecture.  Wat Chedi Luang was also important because for a short time it housed the most important object in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha which is now in its own temple in Bangkok.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 47 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. 

Archaeological evidence discovered indicate that this area was once the locality of the Shaicob community (periphery) in the Hariphunchai region, which remained inhabited until the rise of the Lanna Kingdom.  In the year 1296 A.D. King Mhangrai established Chiang Mai to become the center of the Lanna region, while keeping Wiang Kum Kam as a twin capital city. Wiang Kum Kam was once a large community, equal in population to Chiang Mai at the time.

When the Ping River changed its course at a point where it flowed from the north to the west very near to Wiang Kum Kam. The evidence recovered from the soil layers, is clear that the destruction and abandonment was not initially caused by floods. Rather, it was primarily caused by the upheaval of war, which occurred as Myanmar sought to acquire Chiang Mai and Lanna. Myanmar forcibly relocate the people of Wiang Kum Kam as slave labour. The city was left uninhabited and transformed into a forested area. Subsequently, the continuous floods and currents of the Ping River eventually covered the city with 1-2 meters of sediment.

The old area of Wiang Kum Kam had now become a farming and agricultural area. The Fine Arts Department has discovered 42 historical monuments both inside and outside the city periphery. 

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 60 KM 

Boasting some of the most spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations in the country, Chiang Dao Cave stretches 12 kilometres into the mountains, you can explore only a small part of it.  The cave is part of the 2,100-metre-high Doi Chiang Dao mountain range, the third highest peak in Thailand formed by pushed up sea floors some 230-250 million years ago. For the most part, the cave is well lit, but as you progress further in, even a powerful flashlight is useless. The best way to go exploring the cave is to hire a guide, who is well-equipped with a kerosene lantern and know his way around.

Long Neck Ethnic Hill-tribe Further up from Chiang Dao Cave, a visit to the Padung Village introduces you to the ‘Long Neck Karen’ ethnic hill-tribe. The women wear brass rings around their necks, wrists and ankles as part of their culture. It is a good idea to explore, with respect.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge:  110 KM 

One of the most famous landmarks in Chiang Mai and is part of the crumbling city wall which once acted as a fortress for the ‘Old City’ (today acts as a geographical boundary). The area has a spacious public square which plays host to a variety of events, from lantern-lighting during Loy Kratong, to water-fights at Songkran and regular live music and cultural shows throughout the year. Other notable dates include the Flower Carnival Festival and Makha Bucha Day (both February).

Tha Pae Gate can be found on the eastern side of the Old City, in between Rachadmnoen Road (running west into the Old City), and Tha Phae Road (running east towards the River Ping).  On Saturday evenings, a live band performs on a semi-permanent stage in front of the brick gate. Food vendors pop up all over the place.  The Sunday Market is a showcase of the art and craftsmanship of the Northern Thai people. The goods are made from a wide variety of materials such as silk, paper, fabric, wood, metal, glass, ceramic etc.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge:  46 KM

Also known as "The Roof of Thailand", Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of 482 km².  The park is part of the Himalayan mountain range, elevation ranges between 800 and 2,565 meters with the highest peak at Doi Inthanon which is the highest mountain in Thailand. The average daily temperatures are around 10-12 °C at the higher elevations and has high humidity and cold weather all year round.

The park is famous for its number of waterfalls, few trails, remote villages, picturesque montane farms, viewpoints, watching sunrise /sunset, bird watching.

The main attractions of the park are the summit of Doi Inthanon for its great views, several waterfalls, few trails and the two chedis (stupas) dedicated to the king and queens 60th birthday anniversaries. The summit viewpoint facing east is frequently visited for sunrise, while Two Chedis facing west are more popular for sunset visit.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 137 KM 

Located in San Kamphaeng, a district in the outskirts of Chiang Mai, Bo Sang Umbrella Village has been making umbrellas from traditional bamboo or cane and exquisitely decorated with colourful pictures on Saa paper (mulberry bark) for centuries. The handmade umbrella production are made in variety of sizes, alongside large brightly colourful fans and gorgeous lamps.  You can wander around the open-sided wooden workshops and watch each stage of the umbrella making. 

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 56 KM

Opening hours: Daily 8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.

Mae Sa Elephant Camp is where you could spend the whole day with one of their cute giant mammals, amid the natural environment.  With more than 30 years of caretaking experience, Mae Sa offers choices of activities you can choose to experience, from watching shows of talented elephants, a parade of elephants as well as learning how the mahouts take care of their giant friends.

Now the name changed to MSEC & Thai Elephant Kingdom. Start with baby elephants at Maesa Elephant Nursery, Main working area at Maesa Elephant Camp and home for retired elephants or elderly elephants at Thai Elephant Care Center. 

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 20 KM 

Opening hour: 08.00 am. 04.00 pm.

Doi Pui Village is home to members of the Hmong hill tribe, and is set on the far heights of Doi Suthep Mountain in Doi Suthep National Park. Some villagers still farming the land using traditional methods and others providing the necessities for village life.  The village streets are lined with little stores selling mostly tourist souvenirs and Hmong traditional clothing with its distinctive colours and intricate geometric embroidery. Traditional ethnic jewellery can also be purchased.  Climbing the hill away from the village, you’ll be rewarded by breath-taking vistas across soaring mountains running north and dividing the Ping River Valley from the far northern plains and the Burmese border at Mae Sai. 

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 65 KM 

The park size is more than 800,000 Square Metres.  The exposition is divided distinctly into zones which make it easier for visitors to wander around the park. Discover countless number of plants and varied kinds of agricultural exposition which would be advantageous to visitors.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 54 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.

The first Illusion Art Museum of Chiang Mai, presents Illusion Art, the painting art requiring techniques and expertise in painting on a flat surface into a "3D" and giving a sense of realistic art.  The museum also offers artworks in the form that allow visitors to take part in the artworks closely (Interactive Art), where the visitors can take photos with creative imagination, emotion and postures designed to correspond with each painting according to their own preferences as if they are a part of the painting.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 48 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 9.00 a.m. – 8.30 p.m. 

Wat Phra Sing was built in the 14th century and it may have been the first monastery to house the Emerald Buddha, a cultural treasure that now resides at the royal palace in Bangkok.  The main attraction is the elegantly decorated Lai Kam assembly hall and its restored murals depicting the lives of locals hundreds of years ago.  The Lai Kam assembly hall is a fine example of Lanna temple architecture, featuring soaring wing-shaped roofs as well as lavish wood carvings and stuccos throughout. It houses Phra Singh (Lion Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image showcasing the graceful ‘Lion’ style, believed to be influenced by Sukhothai and Indian Pala styles. Every Songkran, Chiang Mai locals would invite Phra Singh in a ceremonial procession around the city’s main roads for the bathing ritual.  Most of the buildings have undergone several renovations but still retain the original feel. 

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 46 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 6.00 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham (often referred to as Wat Doi Kham or the Golden temple) is located at the top of a hill to the south west of the city. The sacred temple was built more than 1300 years ago, in 687 A.D. It had been abandoned, but in 1966 villagers discovered a hidden chamber containing many ancient Buddha images of various sizes, and this find prompted revitalization. The views from the top of Wat Doi Kham are impressive, you can see both the city and the rolling mountains at the back of Doi Pui Mountain including nearby Royal Park Ratchaphruek.  The temple is mainly visited by Thai’s who come to visit the 17-metre-tall image of sitting Buddha. The Buddha can be seen from the bottom of the hill and is decorated in gold lending to the temple’s nickname ‘the golden temple’.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 60 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 8.00 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

This famous 10-tiered waterfall located at the Km. 7 along the Mae Rim-Samoeng road is a popular recreation spot to unwind with lush natural setting, lush trees and fresh breeze all year round

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 25 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. 

Huay Tung Tao Reservoir is considered as a pattern village due to a royal thought as well as a tourist attraction on a military zone.  The beautiful scenery of this gigantic reservoir seems to be a highlight.  Surrounded by beautiful nature and there is a sand coast along the reservoir which is pretty much like seashore. Swim ring, and pedal boat rental services are provided in the area. If you are a fishing lover, you will be fascinating with the water raft that was provided for fishing activity. Besides, you will be enjoying a variety of activities.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 40 KM 

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is situated in Chiang Mai Province, only few kilometers northwest of Chiang Mai City covering 265 km². Doi Suthep is part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range, most of its bedrock is granite. The other two peaks are Doi Buak Ha and Doi Pui, the latter one is the highest at 1685 meters.

Forests in the park consists of evergreen forest on higher altitudes above 1,000 meters and deciduous forest on lower parts with some mixed deciduous-evergreen forest occurring in gullies and along streams. 

Due to high altitude the climate is cool and pleasant all year round with average temperatures of 20-23 °C, temperatures may drop to 6 °C during the winter nights in February. August and September are the wettest period of the year with daily rainfall.

A beautiful and peaceful waterfalls in the mixed forest.  The waterfall is a stack of rock layers with a height of about 20 meters, clouded with white droplets like a mist. As the fog was the origin of the waterfall name.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 8.5KM 

Opening hours: Daily 8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

A100-year-old royal temple is one of the most significant temples in Chiang Mai.  Located adjacent to Chao Sabai Garden in Dara Phirom Palace of Princess Dara Rasami who was the princess consort of King Rama V

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 29 KM 

Opening hours: Daily 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.

As a legendary tale of Chiang Mai, Nang Phaya Sua Khrong or Thai Sakura, Himalayan cherry, awakens to the welcome of cool breezes howling on the mountaintop of Khun Chang Khian especially in Khun Chang Khian Highland Research Station.  In addition, the Station includes plantations of coffee, plum and peach that produce pink and white flowers.  The wild Himalayan cherry flowers normally blossom during the New Year’s Day festival every year or it could be earlier or later than that time depending on the weather.

Distance from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge: 52 KM