If, like me, you find yourself wondering where to go and what to do during Thailand’s ‘wet season’ then wonder no more.

Ok I know many of you may say it’s ok when it rains, we can just go to a bar……well that’s ok too, but for the more adventurous amongst you, I have found seven places in Chiang Mai that will make you forget about the rain!

North Thailand and, in particular, Chiang Mai is one of the most beautiful places you may ever visit. The changing weather and seasons are a beauty to experience, making it unlike anywhere else in Thailand.

The wintertime is beautiful but Chiang Mai is also interesting in rainy season too the grass looks greener and lush, the trees and landscapes seem to come alive and the refreshing cool breeze just adds to the experience.

Bob Marley once said, “Some people feel the rain, others just get wet”.

Maybe I’m getting a little too spiritual or hippy about things but Chiang Mai makes you feel that way too, well for me at least.

On my last trip to the region only recently I stumbled across seven places that I believe will ‘make you forget about the rain’.

Mon Jam……Mae Rim Valley and Royal Project Farms
Mon Jam is a beautiful mountain-top viewpoint and restaurant with views over Mae Rim valley and Royal Project Farms.

The gardens at Mon Jam are just gorgeous. You can see an almost 360-degree view of mountains all around as you wander among the flowers. Many vegetables and strawberries are also grown here. The flowers are stunning and the views are breathtaking. It’s literally in the clouds. The mountain top is so colourful and cool and is only a 40-minute drive from Chiang Mai.

Wat Pa Dara Phirom Temple
Located 15 kilometers north of the city of Chiang Mai, the Wat Pa Dara Phirom is a Royal Buddhist Temple comprising of artifacts and valuables of Buddha. The gate of this temple is guarded by the statues of giant Lions. It’s the 7th Royal Temple of Chiang Mai. It’s simply beautiful and steeped in Royal history.

The Ganesh Museum Doi Lor
It is the first and the only museum in Thailand that collects artifacts and statues of “Ganesh”, the God of Success, Fulfillment, Career, Intellect and Luck and also a remover of obstacles through more than 1,000 forms. The museum has many Buddha images and artifacts made of gold, silver, copper alloy, copper, brass, glass, stone, clay, and wood powder. This place is like nowhere I have ever been to before.

Doi Inthanon National Park
The highest mountain in Thailand at 2,330 meters above sea level and is famous for its waterfalls, viewpoints and cool weather.

It’s also known as ‘The Roof of Thailand’. The park is named in honor of the King Inthawichayanon, one of the last kings of Chiang Mai, who was concerned about the forests in the north of Thailand and wanted to preserve them. After his death, his remains were placed in the park as he ordered and the forest was renamed to Doi Inthanon.

Doi Inthanon is simply beautiful with lush vegetation and beautiful gardens as well as being the home for so much wildlife.

Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn
Located inside the old city wall, at the western end of Ratchadamnoen Road, the temple’s signature Lanna-style roofs and glittering viharn invite visitors. The main entrance is guarded by Singhs (lions). The road runs east from the temple, via Tapae Gate, to the Ping River.

Wat Chiang Man
The Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and goes back all the way to the founding of the city in 1296. There are a number of small buildings in the temple grounds each displaying typical northern-style decoration comprising gold leaf on red lacquer and coloured mirrors. The name “Chiang Man” means “City Stable” which considering is Chiang Mai had just had to be relocated may be a good name for the new city’s Royal temple.

Such a calming and quiet place with beautiful grounds that include the Chedi Chang Lom surrounded by stone elephants.

Wat Chedi Luang
This 14th-century temple, where the City Pillar Shrine is located, is famous for its enormous Je dee, which measures 282 feet high and 144 feet wide (at the base).

Located right in the middle of the city, it is considered to be the largest Je dee in Chiang Mai.

Wat Chedi Luang also hosts monk chats every day inviting tourists to speak with monks and ask them anything about Buddhism or Thailand.

 

By Vanida Lou