The great thing about a visit to Chiang Mai is the many, many activities one will find to do in the Chiang Mai region. Chiang Mai is a mountain city offering many outdoor pursuits and is surrounded by many national parks including the tallest peak in Thailand. Chiang Mai is also an ancient seat of Buddhism, and there are many beautiful and important temples in and around Chiang Mai. In addition, Chiang Mai is an ancient city and has an important culture and history of its own and is one of the few cities in the world with an intact moat.

There is so much to do in Chiang Mai that it is difficult to list everything. For the novice visitor, here are ten activities we highly suggest trying. Remember that there is a gay tour company in the lobby of the Lavender Lanna Hotel that can arrange all of your tour needs including all of the activities we list below. For more information, you can visit their website at www.asianplustravel.com.

1. Take an introduction tour from Asian Plus Travel to get oriented to the city. This two-hour tour will show you all of the old city and areas close to the Ping River and includes stops at a bustling market, an old Lanna tea house, and one of Chiang Mai’s many temples. This introductory tour is a great way to learn about Chiang Mai and is operated by a gay tour company.

2. Rent a bike from Lavender Lanna Hotel and ride around the city moat or explore it on foot. The moat is about 3 kilometers on each side and is the heart of the city. There are many ancient gates and chedis along the old wall and many places of interests including historical and architectural sites, picturesque fountains, great shopping in boutique shops and outdoor markets, and an abundance of dining options.

3. Visit Doi Suthep. This beautiful temple set on Suthep mountain above the city is one of Thailand’s most important temples and offers stunning vistas of the city and valley below. You can climb the many steps of the dragon staircase up to the temple complex, or you can ride the elevator. This trip can be combined with a visit to the Winter Palace of Thailand’s Royal family and with a visit to a traditional Hill Tribe village.

4. Visit the Night Bazaar which is one of Asia’s biggest night markets and which offers a wide range of handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional market fair. The Sunday Market is also a good option for even cheaper options and more handicrafts.

5. Explore the old city inside the moat which offers many temples, shops, and make sure to visit the city’s most important temple, Wat Chedi Luang and one of the more interesting, Wat Jet Yod.

6. See the animals at the beautiful Chiang Mai Zoo set in the foothills above Chiang Mai or at the famous Night Safari. Chiang Mai is a nature-lovers city, and these two world-class facilities showcase the best of Chiang Mai natural surroundings.

7. Get into nature by visiting an elephant camp, trying the adventurous Flight of the Gibbon, taking a raft trip or an ATV excursion, or booking a trek. You can also visit one of the many National Parks around Thailand, and the best bet is a day trip to Doi Inathon which is Thailand’s tallest peak.

8. Visit one of Chiang Mai’s many great museums. The three best are the National Museum, the Hill Tribe Museum, and the Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center.

9. See a show by arranging a Kantoke Dinner Show which highlights Lanna Dance and culture or take in one of Thailand’s famous lady boy shows by catching a performance of the Lavender Cabaret at Lavender Lanna Hotel.

10. Take the weekly gay trip offered by Asian Plus Travel and Lavender Lanna Hotel. This trip is offered every Saturday and includes a stop at the Royal Flora Expo, lunch and swimming at one of the area’s beautiful waterfalls, and a bamboo raft trip down a serene river. There are always cute boys from the hotel to help on the trip, and this is a fun way get a sampling of the beautiful natural surroundings around Chiang Mai.

Because there is so much to see and do around the Chiang Mai area, we have borrowed the following information from our friends at City Life and their wonderful information website at www.chiangmainews.com

Chiang Mai sports and activities ranging from extreme sport to a gentle round of golf.
Chiang Mai, of all the cities in Asia, probably offers the best and most easily accessible range of sporting facilities and activities, set in the most pleasant mountainous surroundings. This city offers all sorts of sporting facilities and here is some information, which will guide you to the right sport and right activity to suit you whether it is golfing, rock climbing, tennis or ultimate Frisbee.

Sightseeing, tours and travel Chiang Mai   
The city is home to over 300 temples dating as far back as the 13th century. Within half an hour's drive in every direction there are also museums, ancient ruins, national parks, waterfalls, mountain trails, and other unique and beautiful attractions. It is almost impossible to tire of its multitude of eclectic delights as Chiang Mai offers something for everyone from nature lovers, culture vultures, adrenalin junkies to those who just wish to lie back in a luxurious spa and be pampered.