Mae Hia Magic in a Day: Temples, Gardens, and Night Safari

Rachapa Royal Garden, also known as Chiang Mai Horticultural Expo Park, is located on the south side of Doi Suthep Mountain, very close to Chiang Mai Night Safari. This royal garden has a beautiful environment and green grass. There are splendid Thai-style pavilions with the characteristics of the Lanna Dynasty, cartoon images of flowers and fruits with cute shapes and different shapes, and dozens of themed garden venues. The flowers produced include Thai orchids, Chinese rhododendrons, Bhutanese blue poppies, and Dutch tulips. International Horticultural Exposition The International Horticultural Exposition was held here in 2006, and again in 2011 to celebrate the birth of the King of Thailand and the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne. Now, the garden is open to tourists on weekdays, and the Flower Expo is held from December to February of the following year. It is the largest international horticultural exhibition in Southeast Asia. At that time, you can enjoy different styles of gardening works from all over the world, as well as live music. A variety of activities will be expected. The whole area of the park is very large, and it will be tiring to walk on your legs. You can choose to take a tour bus, which will stop at various major attractions. The park also provides bicycle rental services at 60 baht/day for ordinary bicycles and 100 baht/day for cross-country mountain bikes. Scenic Spots The scenic spots in the park include gardens of various countries, orchid gardens, royal pavilions, etc. Along the central axis, you can reach the Royal Pavilion on a hill in the depths of the park, which is an important building here. This palace-style building has a pure northern Thai style. The three-storey cornices are very beautiful. Surrounded by a delicate Thai-style courtyard, it is particularly beautiful against the blue sky and clear water. The interior of the Royal Pavilion displays the achievements of the king for most of his life. You need to take off your shoes when entering. You can stroll quietly and enjoy various exhibitions. In the park, you can also enjoy the architecture and gardening of Thailand and other countries at the same time, such as the Dutch garden full of childlike and dreamy, the Japanese garden with static beauty, and the Chinese Tang Garden with the classical style of Jiangnan. During the time, you can appreciate the different styles of gardening art, which is a feast for the eyes. The orchid garden is also a major attraction here, where a wide variety of orchids compete for beauty and indulge. In addition, the Rachapa Royal Garden also has facilities such as an insect house, a Ferris wheel, a children's environmental protection park, and a large-scale amphibious theater. It is really a good place for the whole family to relax. There are also souvenir items for sale in the park, including ball caps with the Royal Garden Logo, polo shirts, cloth bags, mascot dolls, key rings and other small items. The price ranges from 65 baht to 300 baht. If you are interested, you can buy it.

The Ancient City of Chiang Mai was built in 1296 and is square-shaped. Its city wall is about 1.5 kilometers long each. Part of the original walls and a moat are preserved. The Ancient City of Chiang Mai is an important part of Thai cultural heritage and also a fascinating place. There are many ruins in the Ancient City of Chiang Mai. Traditional Thai temples and pagodas are its features, and most can be visited for free. The Ancient City is also full of life. It is home to different hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, and cafes. There are also lively markets on the weekends, so you get a glimpse into the daily lives of people in Chiang Mai.

The Wat Chedi Luang, also known as Chedi Dragon Temple, is a particularly famous temple in the city of Chiang Mai. It is located in the heart of the ancient city of Chiang Mai. This square shaped Lanna style sacred stupa was built in 1411 and is nearly 80 meters high. A major earthquake once happened in Chiang Mai, and the spire of the stupa collapsed overnight. After the rebuilding of the stupa, the apex could not be completed because no one knew its original appearance. The stupa has four sides, only one side has steps, and the other three sides have been restored into slopes. The stupa is engraved with exquisite guardian spirit snakes on all sides, and there are six elephant sculptures on the tower. The building is magnificent. But the atmosphere is very natural and leisurely.

Part of the eastern wall, Tha Phae Gate is a highly intact city gate. Originally, the ancient city of Chiang Mai was surrounded by a wall about 2 meters high enclosed in red brick walls. Later, most of the buildings disappeared over the years. The surviving Tha Phae Gate became a very well-known attraction in Chiang Mai and a landmark. The red wall and blue sky are beautiful in the morning or at dusk when few people are around. Photographers from all over the world have come here to capture the beautiful scene of the city gate from different angles. On Sunday, the market stalls start here. When the market is closed, tourists and locals feed the pigeons in the square in front of the Tha Phae Gate. The environment is very comforting.