10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai - No.2
10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai - No.2
2. Chiang Mai Zoo
Although not the first thing
that comes to mind when most people think of the city, the Chiang Mai Zoo is
surprisingly interesting. Covering 200 acres of land in the foothills of Doi
Suthep and providing excellent views of the city in addition to its fascinating
wildlife exhibits, Chiang Mai Zoo is certainly worth a visit, especially if
you've had your fill of temples.
The Animals in Chiang Mai Zoo
Nearly 400 different species
of animal are kept at the Chiang Mai Zoo, including elephants, tigers,
chimpanzees, hippopotami and rhinoceroses. The zoo also features some
outstanding special attractions such as the walk through aviary, a fascinating
freshwater aquarium and the zoo's stars - Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, two young
pandas who were sent as goodwill ambassadors from China in 2003.
The emphasis here is on
creating a natural feeling environment, an illusion of being out in the wild.
Many of the enclosures, such as the giraffe and zebra exhibit, have ramps and
walkovers that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the zoo's furry
residents.
Conservation and education are
top priorities at Chiang Mai Zoo; the animals are well cared for and quite
happy and healthy. The animal population of the zoo is as diverse as the human
population of northern Thailand. Here you will find a wide variety of Southeast
Asian species, such as the Giant Mae Khong Catfish, the Tiger and the rare
Serow, which has existed almost unchanged for 7 million years.
In addition to these regional
species, the zoo is home to creatures from all corners of the globe, including
the Alpaca from South America, Giraffes and Zebras from Africa, Kangaroos and
Dingoes from Australia and Scops Owls from Europe, among many others. A truly
unusual sight is the Humboldt Penguin exhibit. Seeing birds traditionally
associated with the frigid Polar Regions thriving in balmy Thailand is
definitely one to file in the something-you-don't-see-everyday column.
Chiang Mai Zoo
Layout Covering as much land
as it does, Chiang Mai Zoo can be quite a hike to get around so make sure to
familiarize yourself with the exhibits on display to ensure that you get to see
everything you want. Near the entrance is the Cage Area, where smaller animals
are kept in traditional zoo cages amid a colourful profusion of tropical
flowers. Beyond the entrance area you will find the Open Zoo, a 40 acre, walled
enclosure where numerous species are allowed to mingle and roam free. A
pedestrian walkover allows visitors a unique perspective from which to observe
the behaviour of the animals. The Breeding Area and Recreational Areas are
located towards the back of the zoo, near a pleasant lake that makes for
perfect picnics.
Getting Around Chiang Mai Zoo
The zoo's main areas are
connected by a long road that runs in a loop from the entrance to the lake and
back. And when we say long, we mean long. Remember that the zoo covers over 200
acres of land. After walking half of it you might feel like roping an antelope
and riding it to the next exhibit. Take heart, however, as vehicles are allowed
in the zoo, so if you're pressed for time or simply don't feel like walking you
can still cover all of the attractions. There are also open air tram busses
that take occupants to various exhibits, with tours narrated by the drivers.
The park staff is very knowledgeable but their English is not always the best.
While the Latin names of the
animals are written in English, the common names are almost all in Thai. You
won't need a translator to tell you that the huge predator marked Panthera Leo
is a Lion but you might have trouble figuring out which is a Trichosurus
Vulpecula (Brushtail Possum) and which is a Myrmecophaga Tridactyla (Giant
Anteater).
The Pandas
Although there are plenty of
exhibits to see, there are a few that stand out above the rest. The highlight
is, of course, the panda exhibit. Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui (or Thewan and
Thewee as they are known to the Thais) are easily the zoo's most charismatic
and photogenic residents. Their multi-million baht enclosure is designed to
accurately simulate the cool mountain climate of their natural home, making it
a great place to come and seek refuge from the heat.
The pandas are at their most
active in the morning, romping, wrestling and playing on the structures in
their spacious home. If you go in the afternoon they'll spend as much time
watching you as you do watching them. Visiting the pandas is an extra 100 baht
for adults and 50 baht for children but the fee is worth it and no visit to the
Chiang Mai Zoo is complete with stopping in and observing these fascinating and
gentle creatures.
The Aviary and Other Attractions at Chiang Mai Zoo
Also popular, and with good
reason, is Chiang Mai Zoo's Nakornping Walk Through Aviary. This massive
exhibit consists of a 2.5 acre enclosed space that is home to over 800 birds.
After passing through the doors and gates you will arrive inside a huge
artificial forest filled with trees, flowers and, of course, birds. At the
forest floor it is almost impossible to see the metal netting high above and
you really feel as if you are deep in the jungle, complete with river and small
waterfall.
The aviary was renovated in
2004 and now has more paths, pavilions and open spaces for visitors to relax
in. Along the pathways you will find the large ground dwelling birds, such as
peacocks, emus and flamingos. As you proceed through the aviary you will find
walkways that ascend up through the trees, eventually emerging above the
canopy. This multi-level approach allows you to get a first hand look at the
birds that occupy different areas of the forest cover.
Other popular attractions
include Gibbon Island, a series of enclosure-less islands where Gibbons are
free to live and breed, the Freshwater Aquarium, home to 60 species of tropical
freshwater fish and the Cape Fur Seal Exhibit. A special treat that has
recently become available is the Twilight Zoo, a chance to see many of the
animals during the time when they are at their most active.
http://www.chiangmai.bangkok.com
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