IF YOU want to get out of the busy city of Chiang Mai, located at the northern part of Thailand, and be closer to nature, the rest of Chiang Mai province has plenty to offer for you. One particular place where people love to visit is the Mae Rim District because of its high altitude. But more than that, nature’s gems abound in Mae Rim, from breathtaking highlands to delightful waterfalls to beautiful gardens.
You will feel the change of scenery and weather as you ascend to the mountains. The breeze seems cooler, the air fresher, and the surroundings greener. It’s a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
1. Waterfalls
There are a number of waterfalls in Mae Rim but the most popular so far is the Mae Sa Waterfalls. Once you arrive at Mae Sa Waterfalls, you will see the cascading waters over an array of rocks. But there’s more to see if you hike to its various levels.
There are 10 levels in total, but I only reached up to the eighth level and could not go further up. It was so serene at the eight falls, the sound of water soothing to the soul. With the pool of water beckoning to me, I took off my shoes and dipped my feet in the water. It was so relaxing, especially with the trees providing a serene setting to the whole atmosphere.
2. Flowers and gardens
The cool conditions in Mae Rim make it an ideal place to grow various kinds of flora and fauna. If you are a plant lover, one of the places that you have to visit is the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden. One of the tasks of the facility is to research about and preserve endemic plants in the country. There are about eight glasshouses, not to mention four exhibition conservatories in the compound. There are also trails and outdoor gardens that visitors can enjoy. It is also a way of getting to know more about the various plant species that gives life to our planet.
Another attraction that I have visited is the Sai Nam Phung Orchid Garden. Apart from colorful blooms, there’s also a butterfly garden in the area. They also have a restaurant where guests can dine in the midst of a relaxing environment. When it comes to food and scenery, another attraction, Doi Mon Cham, has a spectacular overlooking view of the surrounding mountains. It has vegetable gardens around it, and you’ll find children playing in the area. Visitors can even spend the night in this calm ambiance away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
3. Animals
Mae Rim has several animal camps and sanctuaries. Many tourists come to Mae Sa to get up close with the elephants. But you have to discern well which places to visit as some of them may not be treating these animals fairly. I have been to one of those camps, and it seems that some of the elephants are being trained by force. There’s a Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary that has been recommended because of the way the elephants are taken cared for in this facility. As travelers, we have to be conscious of which establishments we patronize as some may be doing something harmful to nature.
There is still a lot of education needed for us when it comes to responsible traveling. We all need to work together in ensuring that what we have is sustainable development. We can move forward without harming our planet and ensure that it is well-protected.
All photos are by this author unless otherwise stated. Claire Marie Algarme blogs at http://firsttimetravels.com. Follow her as @firsttimetravel on Twitter and Instagram and like her Facebook page First-time Travels blog.