|
The city of Chiang Mai has a wide variety of
activities to suit all ages and preferences.
Here in Chiang Mai activities on offer
include: climbing, mountain biking, walking,
trekking, shopping, bowling, tennis, golf,
swimming, cooking courses, meditations,
yoga, tai chi, kick boxing, trekking,
adventure activities and running.
Water rafting
Chiang Mai, being
a tourist town, offers an exciting selection
of unique and fun activities which can be
arranged through any of the tour agents
found scattered about town. Northern
Thailand is mountainous and water rafting is
popular on the Mae Tang river, which tumbles
out of the hills during, and immediately
after the raining season (June - February),
offering first class rafting and kayaking.
Elephant Camps
There are a number of elephant camps
where you can ride through the jungle on the
back of these massive beasts and see these
workhorses in action. There are camps in Mae
Sa, Chiang Dao, Mae Tang, Lampang and Mae
Wang. Finding them is tricky so it's best to
arrange a tour through your guest house,
hotel or a tour guide. The Mae Sa valley is
an adventure hub actually, and only a 30
minute drive from Chiang Mai. Here you can
ride ATVs through the jungle, bungee jump
and visit the Monkey Farm, Snake Farm, Dog
show and Orchid Farm.
Walking in the City
The best way to
appreciate the old Lanna way of life is to
wander the delightful back lanes of Chiang
Mai's old town. Within the moat lies a
forgotten world of old teak houses, narrow
lanes, traditional shop houses and hidden
temples. Make an early start to beat the
heat and wander aimlessly, observing the
sleepy old Chiang Mai lifestyle through a
camera lens. Fortunately, much of it remains
well preserved and untainted by commercial
development.
Mountain
Biking
Bicycle is another way to appreciate this
city, and finding a place to hire a bike
isn't difficult in the city centre. The more
adventurous may prefer to hire a mountain
bike and tackle some of the superb trails on
Doi Suithep - a mountain to the west of the
city.
Swimming
Like the rest of Thailand, Chiang Mai can
get pretty hot between March and October. If
your hotel doesn't have a pool, you can use
the one at Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel (next to
Kad Suan Kaew Mall) and Hillside Condo 4 on
Huay Kaew Road for a small fee. Top
North Hotel (near Thapae Gate) also has a
leisure pool open to the public. There is
also an Olympic sized pool at the 700
hundred year stadium or you can head out to
the Huay Tung Tao reservoir, northwest of
the city, which is a popular recreation area
with the locals.
Fitness
Keep yourself in shape during your stay
at one of three well equipped gyms that
admit people on a daily/weekly/monthly
basis, these are: Hillside gym (Hillside
Condo 4, Huay Kaew Road), Chiang Mai Orchid
Hotel Gym (Huay Kaew road) and Fitness
Thailand (above Rimping supermarket beside
the Novotel).
Tennis and Golf
Tennis and golf
can be played at the Gymkhana club - one of
Chiang Mai's most historic sports and social
venues. Other golf courses include Lanna,
Mae Jo, and Green Valley (green fees vary
from 1000 - 2000 baht). Beside the Novotel
Rim Ping hotel is a small shop that hires
clubs; some of the courses also offer this
service (ask your hotel concierge).
The Anantasiri Tennis courts, Chiang
Mai's largest such facility, can be found
near the National Museum; other public
courts can be found at Chiang Mai Land and
Lanna Sports club, as well as the Amari
Rincome Hotel.
Hash House runners
Runners will find familiarity with the
Hash House runners who congregate at the
Hash House bar just south of Thapae Gate
(inside the moat). Of course, Chiang Mai
province is a nature lover's paradise, and
you may wish to seek out the many national
parks which offer super walking
opportunities.
RockClimbing
Rock climbing enthusiasts are also spoilt
in Chiang Mai and there are three climbing
walls and great climbing at Crazy Horse
Buttress east of Chiang Mai in the Mae On
district. Here you'll find some first class
climbing on good faces and crags. You can
practice on the Peak Climbing Wall, which is
adjacent to the Night Market.
|
|
