Category: Chiang Mai Sightseeing

Chiang Mai Sightseeing Tours : Chiang Mai Day Tours : Chiang Mai Day Trips : Must place in Chiang Mai

Huay Tung Tao Reservoir

Relaxing Breezy at Huay Tung Tao Reservoir

Huay Tung Tao Reservoir is a popular destination for Thais to relax. Huay Tung Tao is a small artificial lake at the foot of Doi Suthep. The shallow lake’s good for swimming and the grassy banks are packed with picnic areas, drink and food stalls plus the view are awesome.

Huay Tung Thao Reservoir is also a wonderful place first thing in the morning for avid birdwatchers. It is really gorgeous and calming lake adored by all the tourists visiting Thailand. You can sit back and relax in a floating bamboo raft with thatched roof around the lake edge. You can cheerfully swim about in the lake and run around the lake and have boundless fun and frolic.

Once you arrive at Huay Tung Tao Lake you’ll immediately notice the tranquil and laid back atmosphere; the place is not frequented often by tourists, nor will you see any tour buses turning up.

All along the lakeside are small wooden stalls where you can get shelter from the sun, order some cheap food or cool down with a couple of cold drinks.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of food here at the reservoir as there are more than 20 restaurants located in the area. After your tummy is full of yummy, you can take your time to relax with Thai massage or foot massage by just call the number that is written on billboards and later on the massager will come to you.

If you brought your swimwear, you can go for a bath in the lake by the huts. The water is usually pretty warm and not too deep in the area that is marked for bathing. In some parts it’s not really suited for swimming, but at least you can cool down a bit or grab one of the available rubber rings to enjoy a cold drink while floating in the water. You can also hire a tube to float around on the water for 20 baht.

Another great thing to do at Huay Tung Tao Reservoir is renting a swan pedal boat. You can enjoy a last view of the mountains from the middle of the lake before you head back home.

Huay Tung Tao Reservoir is surrounded by mountains. The scenery is absolutely stunning. It is definitely recommended to bring a camera to capture these amazing views.

How to get to Huay Tung Tao Reservoir

Huay Tung Tao Reservoir is located further along the Irrigation Canal Road and the 700 Year Sports Stadium, as you head towards Mae Rim (Route 121). The lake is about 12 kilometers from the city center.

Entrance fee & opening hours

The entrance fee is only 20 baht per person, Thai nationals as well. It’s open times are 8:00 until 18:00 daily. Dogs are allowed in, but not to swim in the lake.

Tags chiang mai sightseeing, huay tung tao reservoir

Wiang Kum Kam

Wiang Kum Kam the First Lanna Ancient Kingdom

Wiang Kum Kam is located close to the Ping River, in the the south of Chiang Mai. Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city dating back to the eighth-century Haripunchai Kingdom. Expect to see many interesting items and structures such as stone tablets with Mon inscriptions, Buddhist sculptures and architecture, earthenware and pottery.

Wiang Kum Kam was the capital of the Lanna empire for a period of only 10 years. Because the town regularly flooded, Mengrai decided to move the capital to his newly founded city Chiang Mai in 1296. Wiang Kum Kam remained an important town in the Lanna Kingdom until the 16^th century, when the Ping river changed its course. After flooding largely buried Wiang Kum Kam under mud and silt, the town was abandoned.

Later on it served as the capital of the then Lanna Kingdom for a short while until Chiang Mai was chosen to replace it in 1296. King Mengrai had constructed a new capital on the opposite bank of the Ping River, which he named Chiang Mai. Translating to “new city,” Chiang Mai was built on higher ground and used a large pond to receive the excess of flood water.

Excavations of Wiang Kum Kam

In 1984, the Department of Fine Arts in Thailand discovered remnants of the old city at Wat Kam Thom and afterwards excavation was begun, later many new remains have been found and restoration has proceeded since that time.

A total of 42 ancient monuments have been excavated, the majority of which have been partly restored. Most comprise of a viharn and a chedi, surrounded by a wall.

A few temples are in use today, including the Wat Chedi Liam and the Wat Cham Kam. Part of Wiang Kum Kam’s attraction is the peaceful rural surroundings. The site is much less visited than better known sites as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.

You can explore the ruins by horse cart or tram or your own vehicle, starting from the visitor centre.

Now, the Lost City of Wiang Kum Kam is a magnificent place to visit in order to find out more about a forgotten age.

Attraction places in Wiang Kum Kam

The survey found that there are over 42 sites of the ancient remains in the area of Wiang Kum Kam. Some are the ancient Buddhist temples and some are the ancient Buddha image. The important one are Chedi Liam Temple, Chang Kham Temple, the pagoda of Kum Kam Temple, Noi Temple, Pu Pia Temple, Pra That Khao Temple and E-Kang Temple. The art and architecture are varied and mixed between the old and the modern form of ancient Lanna.

Get around Wiang Kum Kam

The Wiang Kum Kam archeological park is too large to be covered on foot. There are several ways to get around. Tours around the site can be made by tram or horse and carriage. Tours take 45 minutes to 1 hour during which stops are made at six to nine ancient monuments. Tickets can be booked at the information center or Wat Chedi Liam. Visitors receive a brochure in English with information about the site.

At the Wiang Kum Kam Information Center and Wat Chedi Liam you can make a tour with a horse carriage (200 THB per carriage per tour) or with a tram (20 seats, 1-5 persons 250 THB, 6-10 persons 300 THB, 11-15 persons 350 THB, 16-20 persons 400 THB per tram per tour).

At the information center you can also rent bicycles (20 THB) or take a look at the Wiang Kum Kam Museum (10 THB).

How to get to Wiang Kum Kam

Wiang Kum Kam is located 5 km south of the city of Chiang Mai, can be accessed by Route 106 (the Chiang Mai – Lamphun road) near the Ping River.

By Car : Any taxi driver in Chiang Mai will be able to take you to the site, but be sure to negotiate for the driver to wait while you tour the site and pay after you have returned to Chiang Mai.

By Boat : Boat departs four times a day at 9.00 a.m., 11.30 a.m. 14.00 p.m. and 16.00 p.m. Visit “Wiang Kum Kam the Ancient Underground City” by horse carriage.(For Boat trip you can contact travel agency in Chiang Mai)

Entrance fee & opening hours

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00, Admission is free.

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Chiang Mai Activities Chiang Mai Sightseeing

3D Museum Art in Paradise

Art in Paradise Chiang Mai “Step into the Picture”

art in paradise chiang mai

Chiang Mai is a city for art lovers. From unique architecture at every single temple to beautiful galleries, the city is full of cultural spaces. And now, Art In Paradise Chiang Mai has finally arrived in our town. Get ready to let your imagination march into a miraculous dimension of original 3D art works.

Art In Paradise Museum stands out as something different in the city. The 3D-trick eye museum located on Changklan road offers visitors the unique opportunity to actually become a part of the art on display. Using the technique of “trompe I’oeil”, the museum turns two-dimensional paintings into three-dimensional images through the use of optical illusions.

At Art In Paradise Chiang Mai, visitors can interact with more than 100 paintings, posing themselves just right so that they look as if they are part of the original work. Paintings on the museum walls, floors and ceilings appear to pop out of the surface and come to life. A total of three floors with six themed galleries gives you the feeling of traveling the world, from Asia to Egypt and Europe. Paintings also take you deep into the sea and on safari: another section includes surrealist paintings.

At Art In Paradise Chiang Mai you’ll be creating unforgettable memories with friends and family amid fun and laughter. The museum prides itself to make art easy and fun for people of all ages.

The latest addition to the museum is the VDO Art Function which censors your movements and changes them with animation characters. This is a favorite for young children and parents.

After an afternoon of fun and pictures, you can enjoy the pleasures of a delicious cafe at the first floor of the museum, offering scrumptious organic drinks and cakes.

Art In Paradise Chiang Mai is open daily from 9 am. to 9 pm.

Admission THB 300 (adult) and THB 200 (children).

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