This plantation has been established for over 20 years and is famous for breeding a variety of species of orchids using appropriate technology. In addition to learning about orchid breeding, it is also possible to learn about various butterfly species. Facilities for tourists include toilets, parking area and beverage and souvenir shops. A lecturer is provided upon request. Advance contact is recommended for group visits.
Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre
Located in the forested area of Khun Mae Kuang, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province, the Study Centre covers an area of over 3,000 acres. It was established on His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s initiation in order to conduct studies and research on various development patterns such as forest development. The Royal initiative includes three classes of tree cultivation: those cultivated for fruit, those for firewood, and those cultivated for sale and purely economic benefits. This cultivation yields benefits according the value produced in each case, as well as a more diffuse benefit in terms of increased moisture retention in the soil and a general increase in the health of the land itself.At the entrance to the Study Centre, the area begins with a forestry study project which has served to improve the environment in the Centre area, eliminate forest fires, and produce a moist climate bursting with fertile water sources. Subsequently, visitors will come upon facilities for ongoing studies of industrial agriculture and fishery studies at check dams, as well as farms for livestock and dairy cattle.
The Study Centre’s main aim is to function as a complete one-stop service centre replete with practical wisdom aptly demonstrated for farmers to learn and apply the model into practice. It also provides services, such as supporting animal husbandry activities and providing seeds, and giving advice and guidance on techniques which farmers can adopt in their daily lives. The Study Centre promotes the coexistence of man and land involving the distribution of the water supply to agricultural areas and the establishment of forest and fishery stations.
In the words of HM King Bhumibol, “Let this Study Centre function as living museum of Mother Nature.”
The Study Centre is open every day from 08:30-16:30, but visitors are advised to call ahead in order to obtain bungalow reservations and camping permission. Visitors must supply their own camping gear.
Tham Tap Tao Temple
This temple is situated in Chai Prakan Sub-district along the Chiang Mai-Fang route between Km.120 and Km.121. Temple attractions include a scripture hall located in the middle of a pond and Tap Tao cave which houses several unique Buddha images.
Ban Rai Phai Ngam
Located between Km.69 to 70 along Chiang Mai-Hot route, the place is famous for its high quality traditionally woven cotton. To get to the village from the main route, turn left and proceed for 1 kilometer until you seethe village sign.
Inthakhin Archaeological Site and Pottery Museum
The museum is situated at Ban San Pa Tong, Tambon Inthakhin, Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai. It is an archaeological dig site which uncovered ancient Inthakhin kilns of the Mueang Kaen area of Thailand. Because of this, it is very important to Thai history and archaeology, helping to firmly establish the fact the Village of Phan Aek Phan Fuea Mueang Kaen actually existed in the ancient Kingdom of Lanna. Stone inscriptions have been found, dating back to the era of King Mengrai era (1258 – 1311 AD). It is also very important to the archaeology because kilns in good condition as well as beautiful examples of traditional pottery have been found here. Nowhere else in the Upper North have kilns or earthenware been found in such good condition as the ones unearthed here.From the evidence found, archaeologists determine that these kilns were in use from approximately 1407-1457 AD, and it is assumed that the Ban San Pa Tong area was once a major producer of earthenware for the entire Lanna Kingdom. By the 14th century the art of glazed pottery making was widespread throughout Chiang Mai and the rest of the Lanna Kingdom.
Most of the earthenware found here are of the celadon type – with a light green or greenish-brown glaze – molded from extremely good quality white earth which can be compared with the Sangkhalok wares of Si Satchanalai, and with also specimens produced in Tao Phan Kiln in Chiang Rai Province. The products were uniquely strong and beautiful. Significantly, pre-fired ceramics molded from white earth have also been discovered, a find unduplicated in kiln sites anywhere else in Thailand.
This celadon glazed earthenware made Lanna famous in early times, although originally it traces its origins to China. The green glaze in especially treasured as it mimics jade, which is considered the most auspicious of Chinese colors and materials. Throughout this entire period, native Thai sensitivity, craftsmanship and artistic warmth imbued the pottery with unique flavour and vitality.
A nearby attraction is Mae Ngat Sombun Chon Dam, where visitors can relax at the water’s edge and dine surrounded by the natural environment.
Doi Mon Chong Mountain
Situated within the Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers areas of Amphoe Omkoi in Chiang Mai Province and Amphoe Sam Ngao in Tak Province, Doi Mon Chong is a beautiful mountain retreat in Northern Thailand. Attractions include the nearly-extinct and therefore protected mountain goat, as well as breathtaking mountainscape vistas. Thailand’s largest Azelia (Rhododendron sp.), which blooms from December to January, adorns the mountains with its red-, pink-, and white-petaled blooms. The landscape includes peaceful, sweeping hills and wide open grassy plains. The forests and plains are home to many rare birds and other creatures.Hiking trip up Doi Mon Chong can be done within a day, but it would be a very exhausting trip which should not be begun any later than 6:30 am. Hikers are advised to spend at least 2 days and 1 night for a more pleasurable visit. In addition, advance permission is required from Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary at Musoe Unit, where the office of Wildlife Sanctuary is located.
Getting There:
By Car From Chiang Mai, take Highway 108, then take a left turn from Amphoe Hot to Highway 1099 and continue to Amphoe Omkoi. Musoe Unit is on the left after 40 kilometres. From the Unit to the trailhead is a 16 kilometres drive on an unpaved, windy cliff road. Needless to say, it requires a 4WD vehicle as well as a skillful driver.
By Bus Busses leave from Chang Phueak Gate in Chiang Mai, taking passengers to Omkoi Town. Service starts 8 am. Mr. Det Soemmatiwong ferries passengers to and from the trailhead.
Visitors can buy supplies in Omkoi Town. A porter can be hired for 150 baht per day.
Doi Wiang Pha National Park
This park covers the area of Chai Prakan District and Fang District, in Chiang Mai Province. This area provides the watershed for many major rivers, particularly the Fang River as well as branches of the Lao river such as the Mae Fang Luang, the Mae Fang Noi, and the Yang Min River.The geographical features of the National Park consist of high mountains, extending northwards and forming a boundary between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. Doi Wiang Pha is the highest mountain of the National Park, with a maximum elevation of 1,834 meters above sea level. The forests in the area are evergreen and mixed forests. The weather here can be divided into 3 seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and it usually rains most heavily in September. Winter is from November to February, when the weather is fresh and inviting – ideal for travelling. Winter mornings tend to be foggy. March to April is the summertime, when the weather is rather hot.
There are a variety of virgin forests in the National Park, including evergreen, pine, timber forests, and mixed forests, depending on the altitude of the areas. Major tree types are teak, rubber, Leguminosae (Pradu), Michelia Alba, Pinus Merkusii Jungh (two-leaf pines), different kinds of Lithocarpus Cantleyanus (Ko), and the forests also include many types of moss, ferns, orchids, etc.
Due to its abundance of forests, varieties of plants, and different altitudes, the National Park has become the source of food and dwelling places for many different kinds of wild animals including Muntiacus Muntjak, wild boars, gorals, porcupines, wild rabbits, monkeys, masked palm civets, squirrels, tree shrews, and different kinds of birds such as White-rumped Shama, turtle doves, hawks, while fowls, etc.
The Park boasts great lookout points where visitors may experience the natural charms of the mountain range at dawn, in twilight or in the full blaze of day. Many high-altitude plants are found on the mountain top such as Azelia (Rhododendron sp.) and many other types of grasses and flowers.
The Park contains many waterfalls, but most of them are hard to access because the Park landscape is still being developed. The waterfall which is most convenient to access is Huai Sai Khao Waterfall. It is located in the area of the Park headquarters. Huai Sai Khao is a triple-level waterfall with basin suitable for swimming. The flow is most prodigious from May – November. The uppermost level is sandy since the rock above the waterfall is sandstone. The environment around the Waterfall is so moist that all the rocks are covered with cute green moss.
Other waterfalls in the area are Mae Fang Luang Waterfall, Doi Wiang Pha Waterfall and Huai Han Waterfall. All of these are small falls.
The Park has two bungalows. Contact Doi Wiang Pha National Park. P.O. Box 14, Amphoe Chai Prakan, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50320.
Getting There:
By car
From Chiang Mai Town, take Highway No.107 for about 125 kilometres. 2 kilometres before reaching Chai Prakan District, the park entrance is opposite Si Dong Yen School. Continue for another 12 kilometres to Park headquarters.
There are a variety of virgin forests in the National Park, including evergreen, pine, timber forests, and mixed forests, depending on the altitude of the areas. Major tree types are teak, rubber, Leguminosae (Pradu), Michelia Alba, Pinus Merkusii Jungh (two-leaf pines), different kinds of Lithocarpus Cantleyanus (Ko), and the forests also include many types of moss, ferns, orchids, etc.
Due to its abundance of forests, varieties of plants, and different altitudes, the National Park has become the source of food and dwelling places for many different kinds of wild animals including Muntiacus Muntjak, wild boars, gorals, porcupines, wild rabbits, monkeys, masked palm civets, squirrels, tree shrews, and different kinds of birds such as White-rumped Shama, turtle doves, hawks, while fowls, etc.
The Park boasts great lookout points where visitors may experience the natural charms of the mountain range at dawn, in twilight or in the full blaze of day. Many high-altitude plants are found on the mountain top such as Azelia (Rhododendron sp.) and many other types of grasses and flowers.
The Park contains many waterfalls, but most of them are hard to access because the Park landscape is still being developed. The waterfall which is most convenient to access is Huai Sai Khao Waterfall. It is located in the area of the Park headquarters. Huai Sai Khao is a triple-level waterfall with basin suitable for swimming. The flow is most prodigious from May – November. The uppermost level is sandy since the rock above the waterfall is sandstone. The environment around the Waterfall is so moist that all the rocks are covered with cute green moss.
Other waterfalls in the area are Mae Fang Luang Waterfall, Doi Wiang Pha Waterfall and Huai Han Waterfall. All of these are small falls.
The Park has two bungalows. Contact Doi Wiang Pha National Park. P.O. Box 14, Amphoe Chai Prakan, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50320.
Getting There:
By car
From Chiang Mai Town, take Highway No.107 for about 125 kilometres. 2 kilometres before reaching Chai Prakan District, the park entrance is opposite Si Dong Yen School. Continue for another 12 kilometres to Park headquarters.
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