Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


	S.P. Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 11/1 Soi 3 Bamrungburi Rd., T. Prasingh, A. Muang., Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053 - 814 455-6 Fax. 053 - 814 457 E-mail: guidelin@loxinfo.co.th

Flower Power

Text : Mario
Images : Botanical Gdns & Karin

As environmental concerns are growing over our rapidly depleting forests, flora and fauna, the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is one place that is stemming the flow.

The decreasing numbers of fertile forests has caused several concerned organizations to work hard in order to preserve them and the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is one such successful organization working hard to preserve forests and the countryside.

The Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG) was previously known as Mae Sa Botanic Garden. In 1994, it received the honor from HM the Queen to grant a royal permission to name this northern botanic garden after Her Majesty ‘s name. QSBG is an all-round experience that provides educational information on many kinds of plants and forest inhabitants. The center has been continuously developed as an educational center based on international standards. Over an area of 6,500 rais, the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is a living library where visitors can learn about a myriad species of plants, trees and flowers in a stunning natural environment.

The gardens are in a forest about half an hour outside of Chiang Mai and play host to an array of different informative displays, buildings and exhibitions. The whole project area is huge so visitors can make use of the onsite transportation to enable them to see the entire gardens. Children will find it very enjoyable to learn and play here while others might fall in love with the romantic backdrop.

When you first arrive we suggest you visit the Information Center to see the area’s map and get some basic information. The Information Center displays academic exhibitions, and has a conference room to present slide shows and multi-vision presentations to give visitors a short bit of background information before they explore the gardens.

The recently-opened Natural Museum is one of the places you can’t miss. Here you will get to learn about geology, plant science and environment. There are also models of different types of forests to show the varieties of nature. Children can have fun with lots of games, go through an adventure in 10 Thai forests, learn about the origin of Thai botany, and enjoy the wonderful world of bees and flowers.

Next up is the Glasshouse Complex, which features an abundance of plants and flowers from all over the country. Altogether, they are divided between 12 houses, including the tropical rainforest house, cactus house and insectivorous plants house. Tourists can visit, and observe, the beautiful flowers in the glasshouses all year round. Each house displays plants in a different climate and condition. Some are damp while some are quite dry like a desert.

The glasshouses are designed to be an area for showcasing many kinds of plants which are kept inside in the same conditions as they grow in the forest. The structure is made of special alloy, guaranteed to be rust-free and flexible under hot and cold weather, as well as being able to endure heavy weight. The glass used here is selected from special glass which is thick, filters light and extracts heat. The air circulating system is also well designed to let air flow everywhere in the glasshouse. The floor is covered with two meters of soil over a drainage system to let the water flow.

Also known as the Fairy Lily because it blooms only for two days and then withers, like a fairy that appears for just a moment.

The first place you should visit is The Major Glasshouse or Tropical Evergreen Forest. This is the biggest house displaying the conditions of the evergreen forest and its plants. Overall the area is 1,000 sq.m. You can really feel the moist air in this house, which imitates the conditions of wet evergreen forest. Some of the plants were taken from neighboring countries such as south China, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. The humidity is controlled by automatic sprinkler to always keep the whole area damp. You can also see lots of rare plants of the wet evergreen forest from a high angle – if you climb up onto the platform and aren’t scared of heights!

Also don’t miss the Aquatic Plants House, showcasing various kinds of aquatic plants, especially the Thai lotus collected throughout the country plus with more than 60 other varieties from neighboring countries. There are many types of lotus here that are rare now, including local and foreign lotuses.

Next, move on to the Orchid and Fern House where you will find more than 120 species and over 3,000 orchids and ferns alongside a mock up waterfall with insectivorous plants or pitcher plants. After that, take a look around the Arid Plant House to see the lovely cacti from all over the world. Last but not least, the general glasshouse display, which houses lotuses, Bromeliads, Caladium, Anthurium, as well as some rare plants and Thai herbs.

After wandering around, check out the impressive souvenir shop to buy some gifts and plants to take home. After that, enjoy sipping freshly-brewed coffee in a shady garden with a panoramic mountainous view.

Another fascinating spot is the Rain Lily Plot. This type of lily blooms only after rain falls and is also known as the Fairy Lily because it blooms for only two days and then withers, like a fairy that appears for just a moment. The Rain Lily is planted along the way from entrance to the glasshouses.

Then take a trip around other areas to see more than 3,000 pots of perennial plants, along with the Australian Bottle Tree (Brachychito rupestris), or take a nature trail through the forest. One of the most popular is the Climber Trail that takes you up to the steep mountain ridge while observing over 250 kinds of climbing plants and vines along the 800m route. The Waterfall Rail lets you walk by Mae Sa Noi Waterfall, passing the rock garden to the orchid house which features over 350 types of Thai orchid. As well as all of this there is also the native orchids nursery and garden reservoir waiting to be seen.

The admission fee is only 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children. The garden is located in Mae Rim district. From downtown you drive along highway no. 107 to Mae Rim and no.1096 to Samoeng. It is only 11 kilometers from the Samoeng intersection. The garden is open daily from 9.30 am - 3.45 pm. Tour guides are also available. For a group visit please make the reservation by writing to the garden and they will provide staff to take care of you during your visit (no extra charge). For more information please contact 053-841 215, 053-841 219 or www.qsng.com.