In an half hour range from Chiang Mai centre, at Bo-Sang , there are several artisan and manufacturing sites open to the public.
These visits are always in combination with a tour through the factory shop! 

Crafts you can admire : silk making, wood sculpture, lacquerware, leather, jewelry, jade cutting,...

The most interactive is the paper umbrella/parasol making:

1)Beat the cane into pulp



2)Let it dissolve in the water and collect with a fine-mazed tool



3)Make bamboo strips for the frame and assemble it



4)Stick the paper to the frame in several layers



5)Paint it



If you want, you can paint your own or take a course in umbrella painting!

21-10-2010 om 00:00 geschreven door Chris, Malaika, Jules en Jonas  

On the 'Doi Suthep' mountain there are three points of interest:

1) Wat Phra That Doi Suthep : the temple
2) A Hmong village
3) Phuping palace : Royal winter residence with English garden

We visited all three, but you'll find no photo of the palace or garden because they were veiled in clouds when we were there.

The Naga's at the Wat are on both sides of a stairway with 304 steps!



Smaller sizes available at the top, on the temple grounds:



And  a large bell to call for prayer:



Some people in the Hmong village wear traditional outfits.

19-10-2010 om 00:00 geschreven door Chris, Malaika, Jules en Jonas  

A 50 min drive brings us to Chiang Dao.
We stop at an elephant camp, 'Mae Taeng', for the following activities:

Elephant ride








Oxcart driving

Bambooraft









On the way back we visited a Karen Longneck village.
1 of them was vaguely familiar?!

18-10-2010 om 00:00 geschreven door Chris, Malaika, Jules en Jonas