Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Chiang Mai

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This international botanical garden extends over a mountainous area of 560 acres was established to honour Queen Sirikit in 1992. The garden has an excellent collection of Thai and foreign plants laid out according to species and climate.

Some of the attractions are white flower collection, ornamental plants, climber trail, rock garden, Mae Sa Nol waterfall, glasshouse complex, Arboreta trail, Thai plants and medicinal herbs, Natural Science Museum, Thai orchid nursery, tropical rainforest house, arid plants house, orchid & fern house, Bromeliads house & aquatic house.

I find the tropical rainforest house and arid plants house most fascinating. The former landscaping is like bringing the tropical forest to a glass enclosure. It has incorporated bridge, cave, canopy walk (ascending & circulating platform & stairs), sunlight, fish pond, truly a nature beauty. The latter houses a vast collection of giant cactii, round & fat, tall & slim, virtually of all shapes & sizes !

Open daily from 8:30am to 5pm

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When you like flowers, trees, waterplants, orchids and rainforest plants; make a half day trip to QUEEN SIRIKIT BOTANIC GARDEN. This large garden is laying on the foot of the Doi Suthep Mountain, on about 15 km outside Chiang Mai, on the way to Mae Rim. It is a very large hillside botanic garden, beautifull arranged in the green mountains of the natural landscape. At the entrance, please the the minibus to go up, because the way up is long, unless you'r 18 years. But by feeth, you can follow also the walking trail. You will find many greenhouses, every one with an own dedication; orchids, waterplants,cactus (wonderfull collection, if you like).
In the large main entrance, you'll find a good collection of books about orchids and all other subtropical flowers
In the landscape, there are also a beautiful waterfall and a Thai orchid nursery.