Thailand has many natural wonders, from towering mountains to rushing rivers and waterfalls. That’s why the country is a huge favorite of nature-loving tourists, both local and foreign alike. If you count yourself as one among them, one of the best things you can do right now is to go online and book a Chiang Mai tour package from Traveloka or some other reputable hospitality booking service provider.
Indeed, Chiang Mai is one of the greenest areas in Thailand, thanks to its location near the country’s northern mountainous region. I have written a lot of articles about this beautiful place. One of the articles is about a particular area, Nimman. Here, you can spend days’ worth of vacation time without running out of nature-adventure sites to visit. Here are just some of them.
Doi Suthep National Park
This is the first and foremost place to visit in Chiang Mai for nature lovers. It covers a sprawling area, with peaks and forests that you can climb and explore. It’s so large, in fact, that there are isolated areas within the park where animals abound—though you’re not likely to bump into any of them. There are plenty of hiking trails, too, the most popular of which is the Monk’s Trail. It begins at the bottom of Doi Suthep and will take you up to Wat Pha Lat, a temple that not many tourists visit. It’s a perfect place to stop over if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet before you head on over to the area’s main temple, the Wat Phra Doi Suthep.
Most people end their visit of Doi Suthep National Park at the temples, but you can definitely continue on to visit more areas. Make sure to check out Bhuping Palace, the winter home of the Thai royal family. It’s open to tourists for the rest of the year, which not many know about, so you can enjoy walking around the gardens without too much of a crowd.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Another national park in Chiang Mai is the “Roof of Thailand,” Doi Inthanon. Named after King Inthawichayanon, Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the best sites for bird watching in Thailand. There are more than 300 bird species that have so far been documented to reside at the park, and you can see most of them during the breeding and migrating seasons.
Of course, the park is home to Doi Inthanon itself, Thailand’s highest mountain. Climbing it can be challenging, but it’ll also be quite a treat when you catch the stunning views of the local sunrise or sunset when you manage to get to the top. There are also plenty of waterfalls in Doi Inthanon, although many of them are too rocky to swim in.
Huay Tung Tao Lake and Park
There aren’t any beaches near Chiang Mai, but what it has is the Huay Tung Tao Lake. It’s located at the base of Doi Suthep and it’s a perfectly relaxing spot to get away from the busy city. The locals love it here, with its amazing views of the lake and the surrounding forests. The weather is also pleasantly cool, which only gives you more reason to visit and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. If you fancy a bit of a walk, there are surrounding forest trails in the park.
Bua Tong
Bua Tong is also known as the “Sticky Waterfalls”. That’s because it’s possible to walk up the waterfall itself, due to the heavy calcium deposits on the rock wall that prevent algae from sticking to it. This multi-tiered waterfall attracts tourists all year round, so be prepared for a bit of a crowd. Still, the area is well-maintained so you can fully appreciate the beauty of the falls and the surrounding Sri Lanna National Park.
Note that you aren’t allowed to eat around the waterfall area; there are designated picnic grounds for dining, as well as some food stalls where you can buy meals. You’re free to enjoy this unique and beautiful natural landmark about a 1.5-hour drive from the city center.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG) first opened in 1993. It is the first botanical garden in Thailand that met international standards with its own center for botanical research and education. Located in Mae Rim, about 30 minutes north of Chiang Mai, QSBG has an ideal climate that allows the plant specimens within to flourish. Within the garden’s 6,500 acres, you can find the Glasshouse Complex, which has four conservatories and eight display glasshouses, with plants carefully grouped together based on their environmental requirements for growth. This is the main highlight of the garden.
Apart from this, you can also visit the Natural Science Museum and the Thai Orchid Nursery and Rock Garden. I guarantee you will definitely enjoy walking around here. This is especially true with the river snaking through the grounds providing some lovely scenery and natural background music. There’s even a canopy walkway to take you through the towering trees.
Sometimes, all you need to recharge your mind, body, and spirit is to be closer to nature. Good thing that Chiang Mai has plenty of places to go to. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the natural treasures of Thailand.
