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Dipti Nair
Doha
When most tourists talk about Thailand, they swoon over the fantastic night-life of Bangkok or the fabulous white beaches of Phuket. But no visit to Thailand is complete without a trip to the northern province Chiang Mai, which gives stiff competition to the provinces in the south with its picturesque 'postcard' towns and forested hills. As part of a media familiarisation tour, courtesy the Tourism Authority of Thailand, media representatives from around the world were taken on a tour to this province, also called as the 'Rose of the North'. The AirAsia flight from Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok to Chiang Mai International Airport was short but it took us to a completely different world from what we experienced in the bustling city of Bangkok. As the flight was landing, we could see richly forested mountains and endless fields giving the first impression that Chiang Mai was covered in green. Nestled among forested foothills, Chiang Mai's air is cleaner and noticeably cooler and there are many fascinating things to see and do in this rain-forested land.
What TO SEE:
The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden (QSBG)
Situated on the foothills of the misty Doi Suthep-Pui mountain, QSGB is the first international standard botanical garden in Thailand and offers a mix of natural beauty along with manicured gardens and a number of glasshouses that feature different kinds of flora. The garden stretches uphill for many hectares and is ideal for those who are fit and enjoy a good trek. But others, who like myself, want to enjoy the beauty of the gardens with less physical effort need not worry. Vehicles are allowed on the paved road that winds all the way up the garden from the visitor centre. The garden also has open trams that will take you around the garden if you don't want to drive your car uphill.
One of the many fascinating things inside the garden is the glasshouse complex which comprises eight glasshouses with themed plant collections. One of the most beautiful glasshouse collections was the Orchid and Fern house, whereas the Arid house with its desert atmosphere and cacti reminded me of the Doha heat. Other houses are the carnivorous plant house, lily and lotus house, limestone house and more. But my personal favourite was the Tropical Rainforest house, which held a wide collection of tropical species such as palms, bananas and ginger, not to mention a lovely artificial waterfall all inside a glasshouse.
There are plenty of trails to explore each with a rich diversity of plants either in their natural settings or arranged according to some theme or classification.
One thing, you must not miss when you are at QSGB is the 'Flying Draco Canopy Walk', the longest canopy walkway in Thailand and the newest attraction at the garden. Set, 20 metres up in the air, the walkway stretches for 369 metres winding along the mountainside. It's a steel structure with glass viewing platforms every 50 metres. The walk was one of the best things I experienced in the garden with the most amazing views of surrounding mountains and blue sky and the subtropical jungle far under my feet. The flying draco is a type of gliding lizard also known as flying dragon, which is very common to this part of the world and can often be seen from the walkway. Though I was curious about the elusive creature, I was very thankful that there were no flying lizards in front of me on the canopy.
Nong Hoi and Mon Cham
Once we were done at the garden, our next stop was the Nong Hoi Royal Project Development Centre. Established in 1986, to rehabilitate former hill tribe poppy farmers and to turn towards agro-tourism, the Royal Development project initiated by the King and Queen help the hill tribal communities grow various kinds of organic vegetables and fruits, turning their farm productions into high-income crops for sustainable life improvement. Visitors can take a tour of the factory and vegetable patches to get a first-hand idea of how the farm is managed to produce high-quality produce and packaged goods.
The efforts of the Royal Project can very clearly be seen on Mon Cham, a picturesque hilltop which was originally a desolate forest but which farmers had turned into an opium farm. But the Royal Project has converted the hilltop into a highly visited tourist destination with spectacular views of green mountains. Mon Cham is also a popular location for weddings and I spotted a newly-wed bride posing for pictures among the fields of purple flowers. WHERE TO STAY:
The Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa in Chiang Mai is a perfect home away from home with all modern amenities but set in lush green surroundings. WHERE TO EAT:
If you go to Chiang Mai, you must not miss Bann Mon Muan, perched on a scenic hillside Mae Rim and surrounded by home-grown vegetable plots and strawberry fields, it is 1,250 metres above sea-level and has year-round cool weather. Savor a deliciously spicy northern style Thai lunch entirely made from organic vegetables grown in the nearby farms with the great views from the tables being the chief attraction. WHAT TO DO: Race down a hill in a Wooden CartMon Cham is the destination for 'Formula Hmong', the Thai version of Formula One where you race downhill in a wooden cart. It is an exhilarating ride and one not to be missed by thrill seekers. Get a Yam Khang (Fire Therapy) massage. Yam Khang is a one-of-a-kind Lanna massage style where you lie on a mat and the masseuse uses a stick to balance himself while working one of your legs. For the massage, he dips his foot in a bowl of herbal oil and then runs it over a red-hot iron plate before massaging your body with his foot. This technique will greatly relieve muscle aches and you can try it at the Ban Rai Kon Khing village, where you can also learn to make a hot compress, try traditional lanna cuisine and go on a bicycle ride through the nearby fruit farms. Make your own silver keychain at the Wat Srisuphan. The site of the only silver temple in Thailand, it is where the silversmith community was established 200 years ago. Visit the silver working school to get an insight into what goes into making silverwear. WHERE TO SHOP:
No other place than the Chiang Mai Night Market, with indoor and outdoor markets, where you can find everything from fresh and cooked food, fresh flowers, fruits and souvenirs. You can take a ride on a 'Song Thaeo', a converted pick-up which looks like a fire truck that will take you to the Tha Phae Gate, the reconstructed main entrance to the old walled city. You will find plenty of local vendors selling their wares on the pavements and you can not only find some good deals but also hone your bargaining skills.
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24/08/2016
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