Travel Chiang Mai : Chiang Mai Zoo, Doi Inthanon Nation Park and Royal Flora Festival

Last year (2006), I travel Chiang Mai for Royal Flora Festival with my friends. When we arrived there, we travel Chaingmai Zoo first. After that we travel Royal Flora Festival and Doi Inthanon Nation Park.

Chiangmai Zoo is suitable for your kids but I like it because it has Panda from China , Chuang Chuang (male) and Lin Huy (female), and penguin, too. Chaingmai Zoo is located on hill near Doi Suthep.

Doi Inthanon Nation Park is located on the mountain where is the highest in Thailand. It is an Eco-Tourism. There is nothing except tree and wild flower….but it has a good air …it’s quit cold. If you want to go there. you should employ the villagers and their cars at there for drive you to Doi Inthanon…It safe for you …When you drive to Doi Inthanon you will see many shop beside the road. Those shop is the villager’s that sell many product from their crop.

This is a hight light of this travel, Royal Flora Festival. This grand event is made for Celerebration The King. There is so many flower come from around the world and international garden such as Chinese garden, Japanese garden and other. In the present, it had been closed but I had heard that it will open again soon.

General Information

Chiang Mai

Experiencing the merging of the past into the present in Chiang Mai where locals are proud of the city's 700-year history. Its rich traditional heritage and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town.

For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction and the base from which they can explore other provinces. The phrase "a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around" was common. Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is always something new to discover Chiang Mai. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia's most attractive tourist destinations. Two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.

The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai's distinctive diversity.

Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Chiang Mai Zoo

Situated next to Huai Kaew Arboretum at the foot of the mountain where Phra That Doi Suthep is located, the zoo houses a pair of cuddly Pandas on loan from China. Inside the zoo, there are over 200 types of Asian and African mammals and birds for visitors to observe. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., the admission fee for an adult is 100 baht and a child is 20 baht. There are excellent facilities for tourists with restaurants and a camping site. Advance booking is required for large groups. Contact: tel. 0-5322-1179, 0-5322-2283.

Doi Inthanon National Park

This national park which covers an area of 1,005 square kilometers is located on Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain which is 2,565 meters above sea level. Located between Mae Chaem and Chom Thong, the park is comprised of the largest tract of upper mountain forest which ranges across Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and ends in Northern Thailand. The mountain ranges gave birth to the main tributaries of the Ping river and formed the beautiful waterfalls, namely Siriphum, Wachirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Klang and Mae Ya. The moist and dense evergreen forest is abundant with lichens and wild orchids. The park is also a paradise for bird lovers. Visiting Doi Inthanon is possible throughout the year however, the best period for viewing the waterfalls is May through November while the best period for viewing wild flowers is December through February and for ornithologists is November through March. How to Get There: Travel 58 kilometers west of Chiang Mai via Highway No. 107 to Chom Thong, then turn right into Highway No. 1009 and continue a further distance of 48 kilometers along Highway No. 1009 to the summit. A good but rather steep asphalt road takes visitors up, thus the vehicle must be in a good condition. Visitors could pay for the entrance fee at Km. 8.

for more information : http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=38&typeid=7