CHIANGMAI Guide

Situated next to the famous Chiang Mai University and the Chiang Mai Zoo, Huai Kaeo Arboretum, is a mixed blessing of landscaped gardens with many kinds of tropical trees and exquisite flowers. Locals love to relax and do morning and evening exercise in the compound.

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Ratchaphruek Garden is situated 10km southwest of Chiang Mai, in Mae Hia sub-district.  Nestled in a lush mountain landscape, this 400 rai (240,000m2) of land is indeed a picturesque setting — not only the garden itself with its many plant and flower species — but also its unique and delicate artwork and architecture which enriches the minds of its visitors with its seductive natural beauty.

The area was the site for the Royal Flora Expo 2006, the world most beautiful international horticultural exposition.  This exhibition commemorated the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of the crowning of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  The Association of International Horticultural Producers (AIPH) gave the expo A1 status, its highest honor.  Ratchaphruek Garden is truly the fruit ofthis special event.  The garden has been carefully maintained and developed, and is a splendid resource for agrotourism, as well as being a learning and research centre for the public and a meeting-place for farmers to share knowledge.

Ratchaphruek Garden offers many attractions:

Ho Kham Royal Pavilion – This pavilion is the symbol of the garden.  It features traditional architecture in the style of Lanna, Northern Thailand.  The Pavilion has high ceilings and steep multi-tiered roofs, exquisitely guilded in ancient technique.  Visitors will be amazed by the uplifting beauty of Lanna wisdom and craftmanship.

The insides showcase paintings of King Bhumibol many activities aimed at the improvement of life for all Thai people.  These works are an innovative juxtaposition of modern and traditional styles.  The artists employ subdued tones of grey, red and gold, imbuing their work with a strange, dreamy quality.  These paintings feature backgrounds drawn from the stylized tradition of temple mural paintings, with crisp — almost photographic — forms superimposed over them, imbuing the paintings with a surreal, otherworldy quality.

The Pavilion also houses the gorgeous Tree of the Ten Kingly Virtues.  It is comprised of layered orbs of gold Bhodi leaves, and symbolizes the fact that the King provides a garden of spiritual shade for his people.

Corporate Gardens – Presented by various organizations and state enterprises, the Corporate Gardens showcase sustainability and eco-friendly agricultural techniques.  The philosophy of these Gardens is driven by His Majesty tremendous insight and ingenuity to improve his people well-being.  The idea is to spread knowledge and provide a model which can inspire those who visit the Gardens to internalize His Majesty theories and to go on to learn and care for the world.

International Gardens – This is an area where visitors can enjoy unique and innovative landscaping as well as horticultural highlights from 33 countries around the world, such as Japan, India, Bhutan, and South Africa.  Not only does the International Garden include plants, but each country beautifully showcases its particular identity through architecture and art.

Indoor Exhibition – The indoor exhibit consists of hydroponics, a tissue culture nursery, as well as a dome for tropical plants and buildings for desert and temporate plants.

Outdoor Exhibition – The Outdoor Gardens includes water plants, a lotus garden, plants from each province in Thailand, plants which are believed to be auspicious, plants from Buddhist history, and plants painstakingly trained into incredibly beautiful shapes.  There is also a building which exhibits information on the history of Thai horticulture.  The enormous Outdoor Garden showcases the diversity of tropical horticulture.

Rare Plants – Ratchaphruek Garden displays rare plants including the ‘Royal Palm’ and the ‘Double Coconut’, which stand at the garden entrance, and ancient pine trees which species dates from 250 million years ago.

‘Royal Palm’ – The smooth gray trunk, which is swollen at the base when it is young and at the middle when it is mature, sculpts the palm into a bottle shape. Its strikingly tall trunk can reach up to 20 metres in height, and its deep-green leaves make for an attractive tropical look.

‘Double Coconut’ or ‘Coco de Mer’ – A native of the Seychelle Islands in the Indian Ocean, this palm is mostly grown for ornamntal reasons – the fruits resembling a double coconut contain the largest seeds in the plant kingdom – they are up to 30cm in diameter, 45 cm in length and can weigh up to 14 kg.  In years past, the nuts were believed to have aphrodesiac qualities, probably owing to their similarity in appearace to the female pelvis region. In the 1700, the fruits were sold in parts of Europe for a very high price. The tree was also once thought to be the Tree of Good and Evil in the biblical Garden of Eden.

Trams are provided:

20 baht for adults, 10 baht for children.  At present the garden is open only to groups and must be booked in advance. Knowledgeable guides conduct all tours.  The garden is free of charge.  Doors open every day except Monday, from 10:00 – 18:00. For further information call 0 5311 4110-5 fax. 0 5311 4116.

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Tweechol Botanical garden is a place to visit, relax, rejuvenate, and experience the beauty of nature. The garden was founded in 1997 (BE 2522). It has one of the largest plant collections in Thailand. The purpose of the garden is for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. Tweechol Botanical Garden consists of 114 acres (285 rai) of outdoor display gardens and recreation areas. The garden is located 10Km NE of Chiang Mai near the village of Doi Saket in Chiang Mai province Thailand.

Huen Chaiharn Museum There are 4 rooms in the collection house. The Buddha room has a display of Buddha images for viewing and prayer. Visitors can also pay respect to the late wife of King Rama V in the Chaodara room. The Chaiham room displays a collection of ancient Lanna weapons. In the Tamsin room are a large number of artifacts from Mr. Sesaweech’s personal collection.

Center Point This place is one of the most interesting points of the botanical garden. The visitor who does not have much time to spend in the garden should come here first. There are 4 domes displaying various kinds of plants such as orchids, bromeliads, anthurium, colocasia, monotera, cacti and succulents. There is also a waterfall and various other tropical plants reliant on a humid ecosystem. In front of the domes are two dragon topiaries which measure 130 meters in length.

Palm Garden There are approximately 58 kinds of palm in the palm garden. Included are Cocothrinax crinata, Coppercinia macrogalossa, Bismarckia, Latania Loddigesi and many more. Some species are from Cuba, South America and Japan.

Horizon Village-Family Hotel The hotel in the botanic garden with Lanna style and tranquility, is definately a good place  for people who like to take a  break from the busy lift to relax, enjoy and rest in the nature atmosphhere.

Open daily at 8.00 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 100 baht for adult and 50 baht for children.

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Location: 320/1 Mu1, Rim Tai sub-district, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180. Tel. 0 5329 7343, 0 5329 9853. This plantation has been established for over 20 years and is famous for breeding a variety of species of orchids using appropriate technology. In addition to learning about orchid breeding, it is also possible to learn about various butterfly species. Facilities for tourists include toilets, parking area and beverage and souvenir shops. A lecturer is provided upon request. Advance contact is recommended for group visits.

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Visitors can enjoy exotic butterfly round blooms. These farms Orchid and Butterfly Farms are along the route. Visitors can enjoy exotic year-round blooms. These farms also have special butterfly enclosures where tropical species can be seen in a natural environment.

1. Sai Nam Phung Farm, the largest orchid farm in Chiang Mai, located 2 kilometres along the Mae Rim-Samoeng route, and turn left for 1 kilometre. Open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. For more information, contact Tel. 0 5329 8771-2, 0 5329 7152 Fax. 0 5329 7892

2. Mae Ram Orchid is located around km. 5.5. Open at 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. For more information, contact Tel. 0 5329 8801

3. Suan Bua Mae Sa Orchid open from 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. For further information, contact Tel. 0 5329 8564

4.Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm open from 7.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. For more information, contact Tel. 0 5329 9588, 0 5329 9222

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Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden covers a mountainous area of 560 acres. It is located around Km. 12 along the Mae Rim-Samoeng route. This international botanical garden was established to honor Queen Sirikit in 1992. It has a fine collection of Thai and foreign plants. The garden is set up to exhibit plants according to species and climate. Visitors can drive around the area. Places to see include the Tourist Information Centre, the Thai Orchid Breeding Centre, Herbs Museum and Research Centre. The garden offers 3 walking trails:

1) Rock Garden-Thai Orchid Nursery, takes around 30-60 minutes on foot;

2) Arboreta (plant study trail), showing more than 10 species of plants including banana, palm, fern, and ginger. This trail takes around 45-60 minutes;

3) Climb takes around 1-2 hours to climb the mountain.

It is open daily to the public from 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. For more information, contact Tel: 0 5384 1000 Fax: 0 5329 9754

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This station, which plants pine and eucalyptus on an area of 828 acres, has a cool and moist climate throughout the year.

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Basically a research center on bee-keeps and breeding of crickets. Bee products are collected here while crickets are bred for animal food. The research findings are disseminated to farmers within the area. Visitors to the bee-keeping and cricket breeding research area are provided with a lecturer. Tourist facilities are available, however, the center does not offer accommodations. Advanced contact is required. Location: Mu 1, Ban Tong Kai, Nong Khwai sub-district, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230.

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