Chieng Mai - Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

Following Thai government policy of Discovery Thailand, we travel domestically to Chieng Mai and Pai, Mae Hong Son in early January. See picture of this trip at http://picasaweb.google.com/arthivon/ChiengMaiPai?feat=directlink

In Chieng Mai, we visited Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, located 27 km northwest of Chieng Mai at the foothills of Doi Suthep-pui, Mae Rim, covering area of about 6,500 rai or 1,000 hectares. The garden was established in 1993 and is the first botanical garden of the country with its aims to serve as a center for botanical studies and research, a center for conservation of the Thai flora, and a place to provide botanical education and aesthetic displays for the general public.

With entrance fee of Baht 40 per person and Baht 100 per car, there are many facilities and interesting places to see. We found "Glasshouse Complex" is the most interesting which we spent an hour to observe the display of various kinds of plants, such as rain forests plants, cactus, lotus, orchid, etc.

For people who like walking and adventure activities, there are a few trails. Thai Plants and Medicinal Herbs Trails is a beautiful route showing 1,000 Thai plants, provincial symbolic tree of Thailand and local medicinal herbs; to complete the route takes about 30-45 minutes. Arborta Trial takes 45-60 minutes which more than 10 families of plants, such as bananas, palms, cycads, ferms, gingers, etc. are displayed. The other trial is Rock Garden-Thai Orchid Nursery which takes about 30-45 minutes, this trial passes Mae Sa Noi Waterfall, the Rock Garden and ends at Thai Orchid Nursery where about 350 species of native orchids are collected here.

We had lunch at Pong Yang Ang Doi as recommended by my friend. This place has remarkable view and unbelievable tasty food.