Mae Rim is a town in Chiang Mai Province, north of Chiang Mai city.
This article also covers rural villages in the countryside and hills between Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao, including Mae Taeng.
Understand
[edit]Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Mae Taeng, San Sai, Chiang Mai, Hang Dong and Samoeng.
Get in
[edit]Road 107 is the main North to South road, from Mae Taeng in the north and Chiang Mai in the south. It is part of the Mae Hong Son Loop.
Road 1096 goes west to Samoeng. It is part of the Samoeng Loop.
Road 1260 connects to road 1001 in Mae Jo.
By tour bus
[edit]The more popular attractions are included in group tours organized from Chiang Mai. Many offer hotel pickup or shuttles from the city centre.
Get around
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Map of Mae Rim
See
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- 1 Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, 100 Moo 9, Mae Ram (12 km down Rte 1096, on the left), ☏ +66 53-841234. Daily 08:30-16:30. Thailand's oldest and foremost botanical garden. Dedicated to the conservation of Thai flora, it holds collections of, and carries out research on rare and endangered species. Lovely gardens in a mountain foothills setting. Run by the Botanical Garden Association of Thailand. Adult 150 baht; child 100 baht; car 100 baht.
- 2 Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark (NARIT (National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand) headquarters), 260 Moo 4, Tambon Donkaew. Tu-F 08:30-16:30, Sa 10:00-22:00, Su holidays 10:00-17:00, closed M. The planetarium includes a digital FullDome DX4 system with a 17-meter-diameter screen for 160 seats. Showtime: Tu-F Su holidays 11:00 and 14:00; Sa 11:00, 14:00, 17:00. The astronomy movie is in Thai without English subtitles except that the movie shown F at 11:00 is in English. Besides the movie, it has astronomy exhibitions and a scientific learning environment (simple games and toys to demonstrate scientific and technological concepts, mostly oriented to kids). There is also a public observatory for stargazing on Saturday nights (18:00-22:00 from November to May. Also, the mountain view at the outdoor area of the third floor of the planetarium is beautiful. There is a restaurant called The Planets on the second floor of the planetarium, but if you want to eat something fast and cheap, there is a food cart providing simple street foods (noodles, grilled skewers, etc) near the foot of the planetarium, opposite to NARIT headquarters. free (50 baht for movie).
- 3 Wat Phra Putthabat Si Roi (Saluang Subdistrict). A temple belonging to the Maha Sect of the Sangha. It is enshrined with the footprints of 4 Buddhasam, which is said to be the oldest Buddha footprint in Thailand.
- 4 Dara Phirom Palace, ☏ +66 53 299 175, [email protected]. W-Su 09:00-17:00.
- 5 Wat Pa Dara Phirom.
- 6 Sainamphung Orchid. 100 baht.
- 7 Suanbua Maesa Orchid.
- 8 Mae Ram Orchid Farm.
- 9 Wat Den Sali Si Mueang Kaen (Wat Ban Den) (in Mae Taeng).
Do
[edit]- 1 Karen Village, ☏ +66 81 952 2080. 500 baht.
- 2 Extreme Sports Centre (X-Centre), 816 Moo 1, Rim Thai (on Rte 1096 towards Samoeng), ☏ +66 53-297700. Daily 09:00-18:00. Kiwi-run business, totally buttoned-down and professional. Bungy jumping; off-road buggies; dirt bikes; paintball; indoor drift carts; Xorb ball; sports bar and restaurant. Transport available from Chiang Mai at 09:30, 13:00, 15:00.
- 3 Grandma's Thai Recipes, 48 Chaiyapoom Rd (15 min out of the city, transportation provided), ☏ +66 53-121656. Traditional Thai cooking instruction. Vegetarian-friendly. Restaurant and booking office located near Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai.
- 4 Mae Rim Shooting Range. 1,700 baht for shooting with 1 calibre. 6 calibres available.
- 5 Earth Home, 76 Moo 1, Baan Mae Jo, Baan Pao, Mae Taeng, ☏ +66 81 2870641. In a valley in the mountains of rural Chiang Mai, it welcomes guests who are interested in learning about, or just enjoying, wholesome, natural living. You can stay in an earthen brick hut, eat fantastic Thai food, admire, or make handicrafts, have a massage, or practice Thai boxing. Moreover, you can participate in earth home building, Thai cooking, and organic farming workshops. The staff at Earth Home can also help arrange homestays with local villagers if you prefer to sample the local way of life. From 150 baht a night (for homestays) to 900 baht a night (at Earth Home including all meals and workshops).
Hiking and nature
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- 6 Bua Tong Waterfall (Sticky Waterfall) (Use road 1260 to connect to road 1001, turn right after km-stone 48; then it is about 3 km to the waterfall. Follow the signs for Buatong Waterfall. As of 2025, many hostels, e.g. Stamps Backpackers, were organising shared taxis for 200–300 baht/person return.). This waterfall is famous for its unique non-slippery limestone rocks, which allow visitors to climb up the waterfall without slipping. The area surrounding the waterfall is lush and green, providing a beautiful backdrop for a day of exploration. Free.
- 7 Huai Tueng Thao park (at nearly the end of the canal road part of road 121 turn left; from there it is 1.8 km to the entrance). This park offers several attractions. At the entrance you pay the entrance fee, but keep the ticket in your hand, because after 200 meter there is the ticket check. 50 baht entrance fee.
- 8 Huai Tueng Thao Reservoir. A reservoir in surrounding woodlands. Hundreds of these huts on the water. Very popular with locals.
- 9 Big rice stem figures.
- 10 Huai Tueng Thao Sheep Farm. Feed some sheep and see a farm. A nice quiet area with lots of big statues around.
- 11 Zipline adventure. This feature has many zipline tracks, but most interesting is the one crossing the lake.
- 12 Mae Sa Waterfall (Turn onto Rte 1096 to Samoeng. Travel ~7 km to waterfall on left), ☏ +66 53-210244. 08:30-16:30. Set in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park on the Samoeng Loop. The path winds up for almost 2 km to the 8 tiers of cascades. There are many secluded areas off the trail for picnics. Crowded on weekends and holidays. Foreigners, 100 baht; Thais, 20 baht.
Elephant parks
[edit]- 13 Baanchang Elephant Park, 147/1 Rachadamnoen Rd, ☏ +66 53 814 174, +66 89 635 5206. Although they offer an "Elephant's Day Care" program with no riding, be warned that they also offer elephant rides through their "Elephant Training Courses." 4500 baht a day (can be split between two people who share a ride one elephant).
- 14 Elephant Nature Park, 1 Ratmakka Rd (approximately 60 km N of Chiang Mai), ☏ +66 53 272 855. 07:30-21:30. A renowned sanctuary for rescued and abused elephants, established in 1996 by Lek Chailert, a native Thai woman who has become an internationally-recognized elephant advocate. During a day visit you will get to know the elephants, walk with them around the scenic 50 acres (20 hectares) park, and be treated to a vegetarian buffet lunch. Cats and dogs rescued after the tsunami also live at the park, dozing on benches and getting lots of love from visitors. Day and overnight visits as well as one week volunteering opportunities can be booked via the website. Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Chiang Mai. Day 2,500 baht; week 12,000 baht.
- 15 Elephant Retirement Park, 5 Lane 5 Kotchasarn Rd, ☏ +66 81 961 9663, [email protected]. Established to create a haven for retired elephants formerly working in building yards, a sustainable habitat for the elephants to live in a safe and natural environment free from profiteering and neglect. Family units are never separated and herbal medicines are used to keep the animals healthy and enjoy a better quality of life. There is no riding or beating of any kind. The main focus of the park is to promote the well-being of retired elephants. Visitors and volunteers can expect to work with the local mahouts to care, feed, and bathe the elephants. 2,600 baht/person.
- 16 Mae Sa Elephant Camp, ☏ +66 53 206 247, +66 53 206 248. An elephant camp in the hills about an hour's drive north of the city centre. Now their website says No Elephant Riding and No Elephant Show. They encourage sponsoring the elephants with a monthly amount of minimal 50 baht. 300 baht entrance fee (admission includes basket of fruit to feed the elephants).
Zoos and animal shows
[edit]- 17 Siam Insect-zoo & Museum.
- 18 Supha Bee Farm, ☏ +66 86-911-0407. 08:00-17:00. Walk-in tourists are welcome. A lecturer will be available to assist you. For those interested in a beekeeping training course to develop a beekeeping career, they offer an intensive one-day course taught by experts in both theory and practical application. Participants do not need prior experience. Individualized instruction is provided. Please book at least 7 days in advance. Free.
- 19 Tiger Kingdom, Rim Tai.
- 20 Crocodile show. 300 baht.
- 21 Mae Sa Snakefarm. Many different species of snakes. 200 baht.
- 22 Monkey centre.
- 23 Chiang Mai King Cobra. Sylvester Stallone was here while shooting his last Rambo movie. 200 baht.
- 24 Mae Rim Snake Farm Cobra Show. More dangerous species. 200 baht.
Events
[edit]- 25 Princess Dara Rasmi Remembrance Day (around the Daraphirom Palace). Yearly on 9 December. Princess Dara Rasmi was a consort of king Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and a member of the original royal family of Chiang Mai. 9 December 1933 she died. Now there is a yearly event around her villa. The event has a fair and performances of traditional dances.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mae Rim Plaza. Shopping center with some cafe's and restaurants.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Mon Cham Camp Site (Mon Jam). Nice place for lunch.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Akha Ama Living Factory. Needing a place to do the smelly coffee roasting job, created this place, also serving coffee.
- 2 Di BOSCO Coffee Specialist, ☏ +66 99 384 8686. 07:30-17:00. Is also a restaurant.
- 3 Air Diamond Cafe, Tambon Ki Lek, Mae Taeng (corner of roads 107 and 1414). 08:00-18:00. A cafe inside an Airbus A330-300 airplane. A quite unusual place for a cafe. Convenient for a stop when traveling around in the area.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Four Seasons, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, ☏ +66 53 298181. 28,000-160,000 baht.
- 2 Panviman Resort, 197/2 Moo 1, Tambon Pongyeang, ☏ +66 53 879540 (-50), fax: +66 53 879495, [email protected]. 5,000-16,000 baht.
Connect
[edit]Cope
[edit]Consulates
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1 Sweden (Svenska Konsulatet i Chiang Mai), 186/48 Green Valley, Moo 5, Mae Sa (map marker is at a position where a direction pointer to the consulate can be found), ☏ +66 99-3787773, fax: +66 53-298632.
Go next
[edit]- Chiang Dao
- Samoeng, on the Samoeng Loop
- Pai, on the Mae Hong Son Loop