U Chiang Mai

UR DISCOVERY

Chiang Mai is an old city that has seven hundred years of fascinating history with its own very distinctive culture, arts, festivals and the traditions as well as an exciting mix of local tradition and influences from all around the world. Staying at U Chiang Mai, you are actually right in the centre of it all. Our boutique hotel in Thailand is just a few minutes away from must visit temples, such as Wat Chedi Luang or Wat Phra Singh where you can admire the traditional old charm of Lanna. Just steps away from our Thailand boutique hotel, you can discover the famous walking streets and Tha Phae Market.

Ur people can assist you with anything you need to make you feel you can restore and reconnect to the heritage.

Wat Chedi Luang

This was once an enormous temple built at the end of the fourteenth century by King Saeng Muang Ma to contain the ashes of his father. It was enlarged in the next century and the height of the main chedi was said to be ninety meters. It was severely damaged in the great earthquake of 1545 and has only recently been imaginatively restored.

The pleasant and well-kept grounds right in the centre of the city are home to several other buildings including the City Pillar (Inthakhin), a Buddhist University and a variety of Buddha statues. There is also an enormous yang tree. Every evening at six o'clock stray dogs are fed in the temple grounds. Wat Chedi Luang is home to many of the most important city and religious ceremonies. In the city centre guests can wander in and explore the temple on their own, but for culture vultures we recommend joining a temple tour.

Wat Phra Singh

This temple, situated in the heart of the city, is famous for its fine examples of Lanna art. It was founded in the fourteenth century but all the buildings today date from the nineteenth century and much of the restoration work is of a very recent date.

The rear viharn has some beautiful murals depicting scenes from every-day life in Lanna a hundred years ago. Here is housed a copy of the Phra Sihing Buddha Image. There is some exquisite wood carving on other buildings and the scripture repository, where holy texts written into folding books made of bai lan or sa paper, were carefully preserved, is a gem of Lanna art. The senior abbot in Chiang Mai resides at Wat Phra Singh and many important Buddhist ceremonies take place here.

A city temple tour would take you to visit the temple and as it is practically in the centre of the old moated city; Wat Phra Singh is in close walking distance to most guesthouses and many hotels.

Walking Streets

Roads are closed to traffic and a festive vibe of shopping, eating, drinking and hanging out with friends are what draws the crowds to these events.

Kad Sum Murd (Midnight Market)

Kad Sum Murd, which means Midnight Market, takes place in front of Kad Suan Keaw department store on every Thursday to Saturday from 6 p.m.-11 p.m., it is lit up by candles creating a surreal shopping experience with a variety of cheap and cheerful products from northern Thailand.

The Wisdom of Lanna Arts & Craftsmen Walking Street

This market showcases art from 21 villages, including the Yong, a popular group from the north. The Yong are known for their unique handicraft techniques. They are famous for their elephant wood carvings, bamboo products, souvenirs, for drawing pictures on cloth, creating dolls made from cloth, and more. This fair is at Buak Kang, Sankamphaeng District, every Saturday from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., the fair covers a distance of four kilometres, offering a wonderful variety of ethnic products and exhibitions on these people's ways of life.

Wualai Walking Street

At Wualai Road every Saturday from 5 p.m.- late. The famed old silver street sells souvenirs, silver products, home decor and more.

Ratchadamnoen Walking Street

At Tha Pae Gate and along Ratchdamnoen Road., every Sunday from 5 p.m.- midnight. The perfect place to spend a Sunday evening, shopping, drinking, eating, watching the crowd go by, enjoying buskers, sales, artists, etc. Nice vibe.

You can join in our scheduled activities or visit The Reading room to discover Chiang Mai's history and literature.

Heritage talks/Guided walks

Scheduled heritage talks are conducted in the Reading Room for guests to enjoy twice weekly as well as twice weekly supervised guided walks, contact Ur Host for more information.

The Reading Room

This is located on the second floor of the Governor's House. The Reading Room provides you with extensive collection of Chiang Mai's history and literature to enjoy.

U Discovery Packages

Monday/Friday

Half day tour: Doi Suthep, Wat U Mong and Wat Suan Dok

Pick-up 08.30 - 12.30 or 13.30 - 17.30 Minimum 2 persons

Approximate duration 4 hrs.

Doi suthep is a mountain situated 16 km. from Chiangmai with a summit that is 3,600 feet above sea level. The main attraction on the winding mountain road is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. The temple is near the summit and was first established by King Ku Na in 1381. It can be reached by a 290 step climb on the naga staircase (meaning dragon head serpent).

Wat U-Mong (Tunnel Temple) is a practicing meditation temple. The origin of the temple is traced back to the 14th century and is obscure. The temple may have been founded by King Manrai himself to accommodate some forest monks from Sri Lanka.

Wat Suan Dok which contains ashes of Chiangmai's royal family

Inclusions:

Private transportation during the tour
All admission fees of this programme
Tour services as itinerary
A local English speaking guide
Insurance coverage

Tuesday/Saturday

Half day tour: City, Temples and Handicrafts

Pick-up 08.30 - 12.30 or 13.30 - 17.30 Minimum 2 persons

Approximate duration 4 hrs.

A Drive through Chiang Mai town gives the visitor the impression of the layout and unique atmosphere of this northern city. Visit will be made to some old and well-known temple.

Wat Chiang Mun is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. It is located within the walled city on Rajpakinai road. King Menrai allegedly lived here while the city of Chiang Mai was constructed. Enshrined in Wat Chiang Mun is a tiny crystal buddha called Pra Seh-Taang Kamanee. It is thought to have the power to bring rain. Another Image, called Phra Sila Khoa, reflects the fine workmanship of India craftmen from thousand of years ago.

Wat Ched Yod built in 1455 by King Tilokaraja, its name means "Seven Spires" - A description of a Jedee's construction. It was copied from the Mahabodi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. The larger jedee contain the ashes of King Tilokaraja.

Chiang Mai is famous for handicraft which are the specialisation of different villages. Sankampeng is well-known for silk and cotton weaving: Borsang for the colourful silk and paper umbrella : The high-fires Thai celadon is hand-made and found in a number of places. Other handicrafts seen on this tour are lacquerware, silverware, precious stones, jade and woodcarving.

Inclusions:

Private transportation during the tour
All admission fees of this programme
Tour services as itinerary
A local English speaking guide
Insurance coverage

Wednesday/Sunday

Half day tour: Elephant at Work

Pick-up 08.30 - 12.30 or 12.30 - 16.30 Minimum 2 persons

Approximate duration 4 hrs.

Visit Mae Sa Elephant Camp. The latest record of Thailand's Guinness World records for the Most Expensive Painting by Group of Elephants entitled "Cold Wind, Swirling Mist, Charming Lanna 1". The record was set on February 19, 2005. Once you enter the show ground, 20 elephants will parade to welcome you to their show. In the camp there are many facilities you can enjoy such as Nursery, Art Exhibition and Bann Kwan Chang.

Visit to Orchid Farm.

Inclusions:

Private transportation during the tour
All admission fees of this programme
Tour services as itinerary
A local English speaking guide
Insurance coverage

Thursday

Half day tour: Samlor (Tricycle) old city tour

Pick-up 09.00 - 12.00 or 14.00 - 17.00 Minimum 2 persons

Approximate duration 3 hrs.

The preferred mode of transportation of the old time, The samlor, will take you to visit some of the finest temple in Chiang Mai such as Wat Buppharam. Enjoy the ride through the community of Wat Ket or was once a commercial and transportation centre port. The community goes back to the time when Chiang Mai relied on water and land trade and the commercial centre was located along both side of the river ping. Many important people were born here and many of whom originate from China and have been living here for eight or nine generations. There are plenty of beauty old lanna. After World War II, Wat Ket became a base for warehouses belonging to the merchants of Ton Lam Yai market and Warorot Market. Now business consequently grows on the side of the river to attract trendy clienteles.

Visit the old Wat Gate Temple which is at least 570 years old. It has been established at around 1428. Later enjoy your day strolling along Ton Lam Yai Market where fruits, flowers, textiles and gold are bartered and bought by local shoppers.

Inclusions: