Chiang Mai Further Distractions
Set in a pleasant 15-hectare (36-acre) park at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain, this impressive gathering of more than 7,000 birds and animals began as a collection of missionary family pets. The conditions for the animals are reasonable and varied. In addition to the usual larger mammals (elephants, giraffes, etc), the zoo is currently home to two giant pandas, on loan from China until 2013. Feeding times for all the animals are clearly posted. A children's zoo, aviary and freshwater aquarium add extra interest.
Thanon Huai Kaeo
Tel: (053) 222 479.
Wat Umong
This charming park, which includes a lake filled with carp, features a chedi that was built in the 1830s for a talented clairvoyant but troubled monk who was prone to wandering off into the forest to meditate. Tunnels beneath the chedi are decorated with paintings of flowers, animals and birds to simulate the monk's preferred habitat, whilst a series of ornate nagas (mythical serpents) guard the staircase that ascends the overgrown chedi itself and a platform, upon which stands a grisly statue of the fasting Buddha, all ribs and veins.
Soi Wat Umong
Free admission.
Tours of Chiang Mai
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Travel Deals
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
-
Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand
