Chiang Mai city is full of culture and good vibes. It is also one of the most photogenic places in Thailand. So, pack your camera or your phone and prepare to take tons of photos and instagrammable/instant-worthy shots! Here is our choice of eye-catching spots and picturesque photogenic places to check out:
I Love Flower Farm:
This farm is increasingly popular (especially among Thai visitors) for its beautiful gardens of daisy/marguerites and other flowers grown for creating bouquets and indoor displays. While the farm is about 10 kilometres from Chiang Mai’s old town, it is easy to get there. I Love Flower Farm has a limit of 200 visitors per day and you should reserve in advance through their Facebook page. However, if they are full, you still can tour and take pictures in the surrounding gardens. In the parking lot, local villagers will be found offering to guide you through other farms in the same area.
Entrance fee 70 THB (at I Love Flower Farm) and 50THB (at local villagers’ gardens).
@ I Love Flower Farm
33 Mueang Kaeo, Moo 4, Mae Rim
District, Chiang Mai
Facebook: I love flower Farm
Baan Khun Chang Kian:
In the gardens of Chiang Mai University lies a sea of pastel pink flowers (Thai Sakura) that comes alive every year from late December to February. Fair warning, the trip to this photogenic place doesn’t come easily and passes through some tricky and uneven trails. So we recommend taking a songthaew (red cab) from the area in front of Doi Suthep temple. After a 30 minute drive you will arrive in pink wonderland. This place is really magical and you’ll get some very good photos.
No entrance fee. Price for a songthaew from Doi Suthep Temple to Baan Khun Chang Kiang: about 300 THB (return trip), you can share with fellow photo-hunters.
@ Baan Khun Chang Kian
Yu Yen 4 Alley, Chang Puak, Mueang
Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
The Old City and Walls:
The old city of Chiang Mai was once protected by a high brick wall and a moat. The moat still exists and one of the best spots to see the city’s protecting wall is at Thapae gate. Best time to go is early morning when it is cooler and less visitors are around. From there, you can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the old city, walk in all the pretty little streets or visit the superb Chedi Luang Temple.
Note: Thapae Gate is a popular resting place for pigeons. Please don’t feed them. No entrance fee.
@ Tha Phae Gate
Thapae Rd, Chang Khlan Sub-district,
Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
One Nimman:
Situated at the heart of Chiang Mai’s trendy part of town, One Nimman blends into the modern lifestyle of Chiang Mai. This Nimmanhaemin Road community mall showcases trendy and local retail shops alongside a variety of interesting restaurants and coffee shops. The architecture of this mall is very different from any other in Chiang Mai and almost every square meter provides photo opportunities. You can enjoy walking in One Nimman, taking attractive photos and then walk around the neighbourhood. You’ll find an array of interesting shops and art galleries alongside great spas. Try Shanta Massage - Nimman Soi 9, and Miracle Spa - Sirimanklajarn Road).
@ One Nimman
1 Nimmanhaemin Rd., Mueang Chiang
Mai District, Chiang Mai
www.onenimman.com
#AdventureChiangMai
Tiger Kingdom:
The ultimate experience for any tiger fan! Your visit to Chiang Mai’s Tiger Kingdom is guaranteed to leave you with amazing photos and memories to share with your friends and family. Walk in a cage with a fully grown adult tiger or sit and play with the small ones who will melt your heart.
Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai is part of a breeding program of tigers, and they really do give you an “upclose and personal” experience with the tigers.
@ Tiger Kingdom:
51/1 Moo7 Rim-Tai, Mae Rim. Chiang Mai.
www.tigerkingdom.com
Canopy Walks at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden are located 30 minutes north of Chiang Mai, along the winding road to Samoeng. In addition to cultivated gardens with a contrasting jungle trail, there are greenhouses showcasing orchids, trees and plants found in typical rainforests. Providing a high vantage perspective is a fun 400 metre-long Canopy Walks, suspended over the jungle below.
The bridge is made from fibreglass, glass and steel. The structure rises 20 metres above the gardens and has a completely transparent glass section for the floor (a bit scary but a cool photo-op!)
Entrance Fee: 100THB per person. Plan about 3 hours to visit the garden and the canopy. There is a coffee shop and a gift shop within the gardens.
@ Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
Open daily 8.30 to 5pm.
100 Moo 9, Mae Rim-Samoeng Rd.,
T. Mae Ram, A. Mae Rim
www.qsbg.org
Meet with the elephants:
One of the great photo opportunities in Chiang Mai is to visit an elephant sanctuary - a retirement home for these magnificent beasts rescued from overwork in the logging industry and the darker side of tourism. These sanctuaries allow careful interaction between visitors and residents. You can watch the elephants living a happy life, feed them bananas, walk with them, learn about their habits, clean up their poop and sometimes bathe them. What visitors can’t do is ride the elephants.
Face-to-face shots with these majestic creatures provide unforgettable memories and amazing pictures. There are many places in Chiang Mai where you can interact with elephants.
@ Thai Elephant Conservation Center Lampang
(where you can also visit the elephant hospital):
Book a visit at 054 829 333
www.thailandelephant.org