Chiang Mai, like the rest of Thailand, has a huge problem with stray dogs. How about visiting Care for Dogs, a dog rescue and adoption centre, a few miles outside Chiang Mai? You can see the amazing work they are doing and even take some dogs for a walk. We went yesterday and it is well worth a visit!
Otherwise known as Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep - the temple affords amazing views of Chiang Mai and can be reached by driving up a 12km winding mountain road.
Pun Pun is an organic farm, seed-saving operation, and sustainable living and learning centre based about 50km North of Chiang Mai. It offers a variety of workshops and training courses, with in-depth, hands-on experience in organic gardening, earthen house building and community living, as well as sustainability study trips.
www.earthoria.com/podcast-pun-pun-sustainable-organic-farming.html
The Tiger Temple is a Buddhist temple about 38km from Kanchanaburi. The monks look after numerous animals, among them several tame tigers that walk around freely once a day and can be petted by tourists.
The air quality plummets to dangerous levels every March in Chiang Mai due to slash-and-burn farming in the surrounding countryside. You can check the daily pollution levels here before setting off, at earthoria.com.
www.earthoria.com/air-pollution-levels-in-chiang-mai-rising.html
Doi Inthanon is a couple of hours away from Chiang Mai. It's a great way to cool off on a hot day - and it is renowned for its amazing views and wildlife. The best time to visit is November to January.
www.earthoria.com/doi-inthanon-the-highest-mountain-in-thailand.html
We're obsessed with our weekly massages in Chiang Mai, and have been all over the place trying out new places. We still believe the massages just outside Wat Umong are the best in Chiang Mai. The cost is only 99THB (£1.60) a hour, and you can wander around the beautiful Wat Umong temple before and after...
Probably one of the most beautiful spots in Thailand - in Tarutao national marine park. Emerald green seas, not too many tourists, and beautiful, empty, white sand beaches.
There's a video and podcast summing it up that some friends made uploaded on this website:
There's a video and podcast summing it up that some friends made uploaded on this website:
www.earthoria.com/video-beautiful-koh-lipe-island.html
www.earthoria.com/podcast-koh-lipe-tarutao-marine-park.html
Lots of people come to Chiang Mai and do a 'package trek' - and see little more than a couple of captive elephants and the backs of other westerners as they parade through well-trodden 'Hill tribe villages'. Forget this, hire a motorbike and head into the surrounding mountains.
www.earthoria.com/podcast-1483km-by-motorbike-in-north-thailand.html
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
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