4-Hour Arts and Crafts Tour from Chiang Mai

Our tour will start with an exploration of Wiang Kum Kam, which used to be a settlement around 1287-1290, under the

reign of the King Meng Rai. Frequent flooding forced Meng Rai to move, but the place remained important throughout the

Lanna period. The site was later swallowed up by the river during the Burmese period. In the 1980s, the area was

restored as a historical park and is today a very pleasant rural area nearby Chiang Mai, and surrounded by paddies and

village houses. We will continue to Muang Kung (about 45 minutes outside of Chiang Mai), which is one of Northern

Thailand's most well-known pottery villages. Indeed, the potteries are burnt at a low temperature, which results in

potteries absorbing the water and presenting very special characteristics that differentiate them from other areas’

potteries. This technique is particularly appropriate to make pots and water pots. Finally, just in the South of the city

centre lies Baan Tawai, which together with the nearby towns, form the largest woodcarving center in Thailand. On both

sides of the road stand dozens of small workshops and massive factories that produce most of the antiques and immense

wooden elephants sold throughout the country. Bargains are plentiful. The larger shops also provide packing and

shipping services.