Some day trip possibilities includeLamphun, 26 km south of Chiang Mai, to see Wat Chama Devi, which has 60 Buddhas standing in niches on the outside of the structure and Baw Sang which has tours of its lacquerware, textile, bronze, umbrella and jade factories. The road to Baw Sang passes handicraft factories and shops selling woodcarvings, ceramics and silverware.
For another driving excursion, go 20 km northwest of Chiang Mai to Wat Phathad (on Doi Suthep Mountain), Phuping Palace (the royal family's winter residence), then to a Meo village . Another popular excursion is to go by car to the Doi Inthanon National Park . The park contains waterfalls, hiking trails, pretty scenery and Thailand's tallest mountain.
Also enjoy a trip to Mae Sai, the northernmost point in Thailand, a four-hour bus journey from Chiang Mai. There are wonderful markets, including a puppet market, with a good selection of hill-tribe crafts from both Thailand and Myanmar. Mae Sai is also the import point for Myanmar's rubies and sapphires. The gem market, where you can watch the bidding on imported stones, is downtown, across the street from the police station.
