Chiang Mai Inside and Out

After a pick up from your hotel and transfer by car to a small traditional village about 20 minutes outside of Chiang Mai, you will choose your bicycles for the ride. The tour will take you along quiet country roads through rice fields, local villages and beautiful scenery to Baan Tawai. Baan Tawai is a village known for its wood sculpting and handicrafts. There is a market to explore and a chance to talk to the craftsmen.

You continue our trip through fertile lands due to the proximity of the Ping river. You will see lots of fruit trees and taste some of the fruit in season. Your guide will explain about the many sorts of fruit that grow around here. You will stop along the way to meet local people and visit temples and markets. Getting closer to Chiang Mai city you reach McKean Rehabilitation Center, a former leper asylum and now a home for disabled people. It is located on an island in the Ping river with lovely tree-shaded lanes around the beautiful complex. Very tranquil.

From there you continue to the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, the former capital of the Lanna kingdom. Wiang Kum Kam will give you an idea of the rich cultural history of Chiang Mai. This former capital was an influential city in the 13th century but was ultimately abandoned because of continuous flooding. Last stop is the market halls of Chinatown where you will tickle your senses with a visit to the local flower and vegetable market. And your guide will explain all the different herbs and vegetables used for the famous Thai cuisine. From there you return to your hotel.