Are you going on holiday to Chiang Mai in Thailand? Check out the best museums in Chiang Mai that are worth visiting here.
Chiang Mai is one of the oldest cities in Thailand. As such, it has a rich cultural heritage and local history. Despite this, the museums in Chiang Mai are not as big as in the comparatively younger city of Bangkok, or even the museums in Ayuthaya. Nevertheless, there are still a few excellent museums you should add to any itinerary of Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Arts & Cultural Center
The arts & culture center in Chiang Mai provides an interesting mix of both permanent and temporary exhibitions pertaining to the history of Chiang Mai and the surrounding regions. There are also some informative cultural exhibitions that provide a good insight into the traditional way of life of the indigenous people. The Chiang Mai Arts & Cultural Center is located in the middle of the old city just opposite the Three Kings Monument. Admission to the cultural center costs 90 baht and opening hours are from 9-5pm. The center is closed on Mondays.
Chiang Mai National Museum
Chiang Mai Museum is not as big as one the Bangkok national museum in Thailand, yet still has some worthwhile exhibitions and displays. This museum provides good information on the ancient Lanna Kingdom which existed before modern Thailand was unified. There are also some good anthropological displays about the Tai people who are in the indigenous people of the region. Admission to the Chiang Mai National Museum costs 30 baht and opening hours are from 8.30am -4pm. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Chiang Mai Tribal Museum
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about Chiang Mai is the several hill tribes that inhabit the areas surrounding the city. This small museum, which used to be part of Chiang Mai University, is dedicated to the hill tribes of northern Thailand. The Museum explains how the hill tribes carry out their daily lives and how they make a living. The Chiang Mai Tribal Museum is a good place to visit for tourists who are planning to go jungle trekking in northern Thailand where they will most likely come into contact with the hill tribes.
