Chiang Mai is considering the Mountain Biking Capital of Thailand. The Northern City provides  ideal launch point as it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and spectular national parks, every one of which is has many many off-road adventure trails to cater for all levels of rider from absolute beginner to advanced adventure rider.

My latest toy, a 2010 Merida  Matts 24 speed Mountain Bike featuring an Aluminum frame purchased from Cherry Cycles on the road to Doi Saket at 378 Moo 3 Chiang Mai-Doi Saket Road, Sunsai San Sai.

Chiang Mai is world renowned for its excellent, accessible and beautiful Mountain Bike trails and I cant wait to get this new bad boy out there.  There are several professional tour companies that run structured and organized mountain bike tours operating in Chiang Mai I pland to sign up for a couple of day trips to get myself orientated with the local trails apparently there is an active cycling club in Chiang Mai as well, they meet every Sunday at 7am near the Thapae Gate and regularly get more that 100 riders

This is their website – its in Thai Chiang Mai Sunday Bicycle Club

Biking tours in Chiang Mai

Some online resources about Mountain Biking in Chiang Mai Thailand

Chiang Mai Cycling is a good resource for Northern Thailand

Mountain Biking Chiang Mai

Click and Travel offer self guided cycling Tours around Chiang Mai

These flexible self guided bike tours are from a minimum of 3 days to a maximum of two weeks ! Being self guided means that you can set out at your own pace and timeline. Included in the self guided mountain bike package around Chiang Mai are:

Good quality mountain bikes with 24 gears and front suspension, rack, rear panniers, cyclometer, inner tubes, repair kit and pump, very detailed route descriptions and maps and importantly back-up if necessary.

]]> http://www.changmai.info/mountain-bike-chiang-mai.html/feed 0 http://www.changmai.info/baan-chang-elephant-park.html http://www.changmai.info/baan-chang-elephant-park.html#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:48:53 +0000 admin http://www.changmai.info/?p=373 Hands on Elephant Training Park

There are several dozen elephant “tours” and parks operating in and around Chiang Mai and I have been on a number of elephant “rides” over the years and seen several of the elephant shows and so it was with a very healthy dose of skepticism  that I booked two tickets for my mother and I to visit the Baan Chang Elephant Park.

The Bann Chang promotional brochure promised a “once-in-a lifetime opportunity to participate in hands on Elephant Training” and I can quite honestly say it was a fantastic experience.

Being a fan of way off the tourist trail adventure, there are not that many “tourist” activities  ( ie pick up up from your hotel in a van ) in Thailand that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone but this is definitely one of them. In fact I was so impressed with the one day experience I will be heading back in the coming couple of months for the 3 day course !

Washing down the elephants at the end of the day was the highlight for me, its a real experience to get hands on with these majestic animals.

One Day Elephant Training Course Outline

Pick up time is 08:30 am at your Guesthouse – you can arrange a pick up location close to the major hotels if your staying with friends in town.

The day starts off with a trip to a local market for buy fruit for feeding to elephants followed by a one hour drive to Baan Chang Elephant Park where you will learn, how to be a Mahout (Elephant caretaker). Your tour guide will provide instruction and  information’s about the Elephants  including guidance and for riding your own elephant

You will then be taken back to your guest house in Chiang Mai.

Items to bring: Towel, Cloths, Shampoo, Soap, Camera, Mosquito spray, snack.

Price includes:

* A air-conditioned vehicles with English-speaking driver.

* Lunch

* Mahout Clothes – you will get dirty and wet !

* Accident insurance

* Transfer from / to hotel. Exclusions:

* Personal expenses such as drinks, tips etc.

* Other services not mentioned in the program.

Contact Telephone: (+66) : 053 814-174

Fax: (+66) : 053 814-174

Hot line: 089 – 635-5206

Address Baan Chang Elephant Park 147/1 Rachadamnoen rd., A. Muang Chiang Mai 50000

Tourist visting Chian Mai can stay overnight at the Bann Chang Elephant Park and participate in the one, two or three day Elephant training course.

]]> http://www.changmai.info/baan-chang-elephant-park.html/feed 0 http://www.changmai.info/flower-festival.html http://www.changmai.info/flower-festival.html#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:38:59 +0000 admin http://www.changmai.info/?p=364 Chiang Mai Flower Festival

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival is an annual event held from the 5th to the 7th Febuary.

One of the many beautiful floral display floats presented at the 2010 festival

During the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, sculptures are made from beautifully colored flowers representing temples, animals and mythical scenes from the Ramayana (the Hindu stories of the Gods) and then driven on motorized parade floats through the streets of Chiang Mai.

1000′s of different species of orchid are in bloom in Thailand at this time of the year and many of these are on display at the festival.

Apart from the flower parades there are endless floral displays, local handicrafts sales and beauty pageants to entertain visitors to Chiang Mai for this festival.

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December 20, 2009.

We took a trip to watch the Honda Jazz One Make Race in Chiang Mai today. As the name suggests this is a Street Circuit Car Race for a single class ( single and model to be precise the Honda Jazz.

The  Honda Jazz website describes this little car as part sprinter, part marathoner and part gymnast and I think its quite an accurate description, these little cars may be small but the 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine, Jazz is a real dynamo and in race form even more so.

The Honda Jazz i-VTEC engines deliver efficient combustion and exhaust gas recirculation, higher torque and linear engine performance throughout the rev range to make a serious little pocket rocket.

Over all we had a great day out there was plenty of great food to eat and entertainment including a band and street performers as well as the race schedule of course.

Assuming the Honda Jazz One Make Race is on again next year I can highly recommend it as a free day out in Chiang Mai.

Honda One Make Race 2009 Chiang Mai Thailand

Street performers at the 2009 Honda Jazz One Make Race

Chiang Mai Motorcycle Toy Ride for the San Tor School in Han Dong Chiang Mai Thailand.

The CMTR team will be meeting at the Harley Davidson Shop in Chiang Mai on Wednesday 30th Sepetember 2009 for a Special Event Toy Run.

The bikes depart at 10.30 am on the 30th September where the group will ride to the San Tor School in Han Dong.

As part the Playgrounds Plus program the CMTR will donate a Ping Pong table (table tennis), athletic equipment, games and a computer; which were items requested by the students and staff. We will also, for the first time, be donating backpacks/book bags bearing the CMTR logo which have been custom made for the Chiang Mai ToyRide.

Click here for a map to the start point for the ride – Richco Motorsports

Home and garden lovers will discover that Chiang Mai in August is a showcase for exotic orchids, flowering plants and blooms that thrive in the Northern Thailand climate.

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival is held every year between the 10th to 12th August at Suan Buak Haad Public Park in the Old City. In 2009 the flower festival is in its 28 th year and visitors will be amazed with the range of beautiful flowers on display.

If you are obsessed with beautiful flowers and decorative plants, this is the festival for you, on display you will see hundreds of orchid varieties, miniature plants, as well as sophisticated flower display settings on mini-waterfalls. Also on exhibit are various types of award-winning flowers and decorative plants such as a Bonsai, Orchid, Broomeliads and Cactus.

Flower Festival Chiang Mai Thailand

Entry to show is free, gates open 9am and close at 9pm every day, and there is food and drinks on sale inside the Festival Showgrounds.

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If your looking for the best gym in Chiang Mai you simply must check out Fitness Thailand.

Fitness Thailand is the largest and best appointed gym in Chiang Mai.

Fitness Thailand has over 3,500 square meters of the very best Gym and Fitness Equipment imported from the United States and Italy.

Fitness Thailand offer the very best Gym and Fitness Facilities in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Fitness – Chiang Mai Gym

- 2 Large room Indoor Aerobic Rooms

- Cycling Studio
- Yoga Studio
- Cardio Fitness Equipment.
- Resistant and Free Weight Gym Equipment
- Personal Trainer Program
- Premiere wellness Program
- Locker Room and Change Rooms
- Sauna and Steam Room
- Health and Juice Bar
- Club Spa
- Free Wireless in Lobby

Contact Telephone: 0 5322 4260-2
Fax: 0 5322 4262
Hot line: 0 5322 4260-2

Come and check out the best Chiang Mai Gym and Fitness Centre.

Address 29 Parking Building (Behind Computer Plaza Bldg.),Hasadisewee Rd., T.Sripoom, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand

Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai province and is situated in the north of Thailand. Located in the midst of some highest mountains in the country, it has become one of the established modern cities though it does not boast the title of a cosmopolitan city. The city attracts thousands of tourists every year due to its historical importance and as it is the major source of handicrafts.

Nakhon Ping, Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kavila are the four sub-divisions of Chiang Mai. The ruler King Mengrai founded the city in the 13^th century. Apart from its many tourist attractions, the Buddhist temples walk away with the glory. The city has more than 300 Buddhist temples, the famous ones being Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ched Yot, Wiang Kum Kam, Wat U Mong, and Wat Suan Dok.

If you want to experience the historicity and excellence of this place, the most important thing for you is to know about the weather conditions of Chiang Mai. The weather is unpredictable throughout the year, ranging between humidity, rainfall and biting cold. Since the city is surrounded by valleys, the day temperature is warm than night and the presence of mountains makes your stay unbearable if you do not know the precautions.

Below is a description of the weather conditions, divided into months.

1. November to February- This is the coolest season in Chiang Mai. The weather is a mixture of slight rainfall, low humidity and little warm temperature during the day. The most popular festivals during this time are the Loy Krathong (held in November) and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival (held in February). Carry warm clothing like jackets, sweaters or shawls to put on outside, especially in the evening. Days can be managed with just a shawl.
2. March to June- This is the hottest season and the temperature can reach upto 40 degree Celsius. Due to this, hot waves are a common phenomenon. Farmers burn their crops during this time and the smoke emanated moves around the valley for a long period. In April, the Thai New Year is celebrated through the Songkran Water Festival. The occasion is the main attraction for locals and tourists alike.
3. July to October- This is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. This is also the lowest season in terms of tourism. Visiting Chiang Mai in this period can get you cheap airfares, low rate hotel bookings and other packages. Basically, the rain reigns in a havoc. However, for the nature lovers, this is the manifestation of paradise on earth. The countryside and the waterfalls are in full glow and brightness.

Despite the restrictions posed by weather, one should take the chance of visiting Chiang Mai, especially for heritage lovers and nature admirers, evidence of the time’s bounty for the last 700 years. The time between November and February is the best time to visit.

Abounding in natural beauty and a place famous for activities like fishing and trekking; Chiang Mai has become one of the most visited places in the world. Chiang Mai is a mountainous region, 751 kilometers from Bangkok, in the country of Thailand. Its many rivers and lakes, with abundant amounts of different kinds of fishes, make it an ideal spot for anglers, to come and fish from around the world. Its beautiful valleys and mountains, dotted with small tribal villages, make it the ideal region for trekking. With so many activities and places to explore, there is no surprise that people from around the world prefer Chiang Mai for vacation.

Apart from being a heaven for anglers and trekkers, Chiang Mai has still a lot to offer. One of the famous attractions is the Patara Elephant Farm. This farm was set up with the intention of preserving the elephants in Thailand. Here the elephants are bred with the intention of returning them back to the wild. In the farm, the elephants are well looked after and are free to roam about happily, without anybody making them perform any tricks for the tourists. This is not a standard elephant show put up for tourists, but a place where you can get close and personal with an elephant. It is a bit expensive, but worth every penny and the perfect place to start off your Chiang Mai vacation.

If you love forests and are a wild life enthusiast, then you must take the Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tour. The tour takes you to a 1500-year-old rainforest outside the Chiang Mai city. Here you will get to explore the rainforest canopy. Two kilometers of interconnecting zip lines have been built into the canopy of the forest, consisting of 18 platforms, sky bridges and lowering stations. You will get to explore the forest from a totally different perspective. Guides are there to take you around and although you will be walking on rope bridges, it is totally safe and fun adventure. Breathtaking sceneries and coming across different wild life will make this a truly exhilarating experience in your Chiang Mai vacation.

Another popular activity among tourists is whitewater rafting in the different rivers of Chiang Mai. Various tour operators take the tourists, rafting on different rivers. One of the tours you can take is the Sian River Adventures. You will be picked up at your hotel in a jeep and will be taken first to see different sites and then for lunch. After that you will be taken to the Siam river, given certain safety instructions and then you can have a thrilling rafting experience. Mae Taeng is another river where it is possible to do whitewater kayaking, in your Chiang Mai vacation.

After a few days of hectic activities, it is time to head out to the famous spas and massage parlors of Chiang Mai. They are famous for different types of massages and beauty treatments. It is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate yourself at the end of your Chiang Mai vacation.

]]> http://www.changmai.info/chiang-mai-vacation.html/feed 0 http://www.changmai.info/chiang-mai-university.html http://www.changmai.info/chiang-mai-university.html#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:15:49 +0000 admin http://www.changmai.info/?p=143 Chiang Mai University

Known locally as Mor Chor, the Chiang Mai University was founded in January 1964, by a royal charter of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Science, Social Sciences and Humanities were the three founding faculties at that time.

Now Chiang Mai University has seventeen faculties, a graduate school and 107 departments. There are more than twenty five thousand students studying at the university. The university offers 163 undergraduate and graduate diploma programs, 87 undergraduate programs and 3 Certificate programs. Also there are two international Bachelors program and 18 international Masters and Doctoral programs.

The University has made Collaborative agreements with many foreign universities, institutes and international organizations in 27 countries.

The Chiang Mai University has four campuses. Three are in Chiang Mai and one is in Lamphun, totally covering an area of 3490 acres. To the west of Chiang Mai city, at a distance of 5 kilometers is the Suan Sak, the main University campus. It has the Ang Kaew Reservoir supplying water to the whole campus. Originally the area of the campus was forest and in order to preserve it to a great extent, the university buildings were constructed between the trees. Due to this, the campus still has a tranquil atmosphere, full of trees and vegetation. The campus houses the main administrative buildings, the faculties of Science, Humanities, Engineering and Social Sciences and the major sport facilities.

The Suan Dok campus houses the Health Sciences complex and is within the main campus. It has the Maharaja Nakorn Chiang Mai hospital, which is the largest teaching hospital in Northern Thailand.

The Mae Hae campus is located 5 kilometers south of the main campus. It houses the Faculties of Veterinary medicines and Agro-Industry. It has the Energy Research and Development Institute (ERDI) that is famous for innovations in biogas and biomass technologies.

The Si Bua Ban campus is located 55 kilometers south of Chiang Mai, in Lamphun province. It is currently under development and will provide training and research facilities for many of the university’s faculties.

The University Library is very famous and was opened in the same year as the university. It has been continuously expanding its resources and is the most modern air-conditioned library in northern Thailand. It includes over 856,000 books and numerous audio-visual resources.

Another important on-campus service is the Information Technology Service Center (ITSC), established in 1975. It provides an intranet for the whole campus at a speed of 8 Gbps through fiber optics. Internet access is provided at 9 Mbps. The ITSC has more than 800 PCs for use by the students spread over 42 locations. All students are given their own user accounts with email ids. They can access the intranet and the Internet, free for 30 hours in a month. Through the computers students can access all the e-learning systems offered by the Chiang Mai University, and can also access and use the MS Office soft wares.

The Chiang Mai University International Center was recently completed in 1998 and offers accommodation for visiting students and academic staff. It has 3 conference rooms, 3 seminar rooms, international hostel, a business center and a restaurant.

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