Chiang Mai Flora

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the second-largest city in Thailand by urban population. It is 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok in a mountainous region called the Thai highlands, and has a population of approximately 127,000 within the city municipality and an urban population of about 1.2 million as of 2023

Chiang Mai (meaning "new city" in Thai) was founded in 1296 as the new capital of Lan Na, succeeding the former capital, Chiang Rai. The city's location on the Ping River (a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River) and its proximity to major trading routes contributed to its historic importance

The heart of the city is commonly defined by a square area about 1.6 km × 1.6 km. It is bordered by ancient red brick walls (now only remnants) and has a moat surrounding it.

However, the greater urban area, including surrounding districts such as Hang Dong, San Sai, and Saraphi, forms a metropolitan region with an estimated population exceeding 1 million. At the provincial level, Chiang Mai had a projected population of 1.8 million in 2023, according to Thailand's National Statistical Office.

Buddhist sites

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Chiang Mai has 117 Buddhist temples ("wat" in Thai) in the Mueang (capital) district.^[58] These include:

• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the city's most famous temple, stands on Doi Suthep, a mountain to the north-west of the city, at an elevation of 1,073 meters.^[59]
• Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, dating from the 13th century.^[7]: 209King Mengrai lived here during the construction of the city. This temple houses two important and venerated Buddha figures, the marble Phra Sila and the crystal Phra Satang Man.
• Wat Phra Singh is within the city walls, dates from 1345, and offers an example of classic Northern Thai-style architecture. It houses the Phra Singh Buddha, a highly venerated figure brought here many years ago from Chiang Rai.^[60]
• Wat Chedi Luang was founded in 1401 and is dominated by a large Lanna style chedi, which took many years to finish. An earthquake damaged the chedi in the 16th century and only two-thirds of it remains.^[61]
• Wat Ku Tao in the city's Chang Phuak District dates from (at least) the 13th century and is distinguished by an unusual alms-bowl-shaped stupa thought to contain the ashes of King Nawrahta Minsaw, Chiang Mai's first Bamar ruler.^[62]
• Wat Chet Yot is on the outskirts of the city. Built in 1455, the temple hosted the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1477.
• Wat Sri Suphan is known as the "Silver Temple" because its ordination hall was constructed using silver, aluminium and nickel.
• Wat Umong is a forest and cave wat in the foothills west of the city, near Chiang Mai University. Wat U-Mong is known for its "fasting Buddha", representing the Buddha at the end of his long and fruitless fast prior to gaining enlightenment.
• Wat Rampoeng (Wat Tapotaram), near Wat U-Mong, is known for its meditation center (Northern Insight Meditation Center). The temple teaches the traditional vipassanātechnique and students stay from 10 days to more than a month as they try to meditate at least 10 hours a day. Wat RamPoeng houses the largest collection of Tipitaka, the complete Theravada canon, in several Northern dialects.
• Wat Suan Dok is a 14th-century temple just west of the old city wall. It was built by the king for a revered monk visiting from Sukhothai for a rainy season retreat. The temple is also the site of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya Buddhist University, where monks pursue their studies.^[64]
• Wat Pan Sao is a temple under the Mahanikaya sect of Buddhism an features a Chiang Mai-style stupa influenced by Sukhothai architecture.

In addition to the currently active temples there are several temple ruins scattered around the present-day city area. Typically only the main stupa remains as it is a brick and cement structure, with other temple buildings no longer there. There are 44 of such structures in the city area, ranging from very prominent landmarks to small remnants that have almost completely disappeared or are overgrown with vegetation.

National parks

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Fourteen of the fifteen national parks of region 16 (Chiang Mai), Mae Ping National Park is not in Chiang Mai province, form protected areas in Chiang Mai province.^[16][17] (Visitors in fiscal year 2024).^[18]

Si Lanna National Park	1,405 km2(542 sq mi)	(89,382)
Huai Nam Dang National Park	1,252 km2(483 sq mi)	(121,109)
Pha Daeng National Park	1,123 km2(434 sq mi)	(39,534)
Op Luang National Park	553 km2(214 sq mi)	(36,270)
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park	524 km2(202 sq mi)	(70,129)
Doi Inthanon National Park	482 km2(186 sq mi)	(853,856)
Mae Tho National Park	433 km2(167 sq mi)	(1,387)
Mae Takrai National Park	354 km2(137 sq mi)	(24,983)
Doi Wiang Pha National Park	303 km2(117 sq mi)	(939)
Doi Suthep–Pui National Park	257 km2(99 sq mi)	(296,088)
Op Khan National Park	227 km2(88 sq mi)	(98,972)
Khun Khan National Park	208 km2(80 sq mi)	(18,053)
Mae Wang National Park	119 km2(46 sq mi)	(66,042)
Namtok Bua Tong–	86 km2(33 sq mi)	(385,316)
Namphu Chet Si National Park

Wildlife sanctuaries

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Three of the four wildlife sanctuaries in region 16 (Chiang Mai), Omkoi wildlife sanctuary is not in Chiang mai province, form protected areas in Chiang Mai province.

Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary	521 square kilometres (201 sq mi)
Mae Lao-Mae Sae Wildlife Sanctuary	514 square kilometres (198 sq mi)
Samoeng Wildlife Sanctuary	75 square kilometres (29 sq mi)

Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary (Thai: เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าเชียงดาว) is a protected area in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Established on 25 August 1978, the sanctuary covers 521 km² (201 sq mi) of the Doi Chiang Dao and southern mountainous regions of the Daen Lao Range, north of the Thanon Thong ตChai Range. The tallest summit is 2,175 m (7,136 ft) high Doi Chiang Dao.

Gesneriaceae

Chiang Mai is a major biodiversity hotspot for the Gesneriaceae family in Thailand, with dozens of native species found across its mountains and national parks. The region hosts several prominent genera of these tropical, moisture-loving herbs and shrubs. 

Common and notable species found in Chiang Mai include:

Aeschynanthus (Lipstick Plants)

These are typically vibrant epiphytic vines. 

Aeschynanthus garrettii: Endemic to Thailand and famously found on the high peaks of Doi Inthanon and Doi Angka, between 1,500–2,500 meters.
Aeschynanthus lineatus: Frequently found in the montane forests of Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon. 
Aeschynanthus andersonii C. B. Clarke ว่านไก่แดง
Aeschynanthus hosseusii Pellegr. ลูกไก่
Aeschynanthus pulcher (Blume) G. Don ย่านไก่แดง
Aeschynanthus superbus C. B. Clarke ไก่เขา

Didymocarpus

Perennial, usually herbaceous or creeping plants often found growing on damp rocks or boulders near streams. 

Didymocarpus inflatus: Endemic to Chiang Mai, noted on granite boulders and streams near the Mae Kam Pong falls in the Mae On District.
Didymocarpus wattianus: ม่วงดอกใหญ่ Commonly documented in the moist, shaded areas of Doi Suthep–Pui National Park. 

Didymocarpus purpureopictus Craibประดับผา สุเทพ-ปุย

Didymocarpus payapensis Ngangam & J. F. Maxwell ม่วงพายัพ สุเทพ-ปุย

Didymocarpus kerrii Craibกำปองดอกเล็ก  อ่างกา

Didymocarpus aureoglandulosus C.B.Clarke ดอกกระดิ่ง สุเทพ-ปุย

Microchirita (formerly included in Chirita)

These are typically caulescent (stemmed) herbs that prefer lower montane scrub and mixed deciduous forests. 

Microchirita bimaculata: Endemic to northern Thailand with type specimens found around the Maeklang Falls on Doi Inthanon.
Microchirita hamosa: Widespread in the area and famously documented in the forests of Doi Suthep

Petrocodon & Petrocosmea

Rosette-forming herbs that grow as lithophytes (on rocks) or on the forest floor. 

Petrocosmea heterophylla and Petrocosmea umbelliformis: Rare, limestone-loving plants found in the hill evergreen forests of Chiang Mai.
ม่วงสอดสี Petrocosmea bicolor D.J.Middleton & Triboun, sp. nov.
ม่วงจิราภรณ์ Petrocodon bonii: Found on damp, shaded cliffs and limestone outcrops. 

Henckelia

Often found creeping or growing on rocks and banks near forest streams.

Henckelia rotundata: Found near streams in the deciduous forests of Mae Chaem.
Henckelia nakianensis: Recorded in the Om Koi District at elevations around 950 meters.

Paraboea

• Paraboea glabrisepala B.L. Burtt  พบที่ เมืองคอง
• Paraboea birmanica (Craib) C.Puglisi (Gesneriaceae) ชาหม่อง ชาฤาษีหม่อง
• Paraboea glanduliflora Barnett, Nat. ศรีพายัพ  Doi chaingdao
  Paraboea chiangdaoensis Z.R.Xu & B.L.Burtt, Edinburgh J. Bot. 48: 3 (1991). –Doi Chiangdao 
  
  

Ornithoboea

• Ornithoboea 
• arachnoidea (Diels) Craib 
หญ้าขนตาเสือ Doi chaingdao

Damrongia

• Damrongia orientalis (Craib) C.Puglisi Doi Sutep, 1800 ft, 29 Aug. 

Orchidacea

Key Locations to See Orchids in Chiang Mai

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden: Located in the Mae Rim district, this expansive facility is the premier location to view both indigenous and hybrid orchids, as well as native Thai rainforest flora. 
Mae Sa Valley Orchid Farms: The Mae Rim area features several specialized orchid and butterfly farms (such as Sai Nam Phung and Mae Ram Orchid) where you can walk through shaded, misted greenhouses dedicated to breeding these plants. 
Kamthian Market (Muang Mai): If you are looking to purchase nursery-propagated orchids to take home, this large local garden market offers a wide variety of species at local prices.
Doi Inthanon National Park: For viewing wild orchids in their natural habitat, the moss-covered, high-elevation cloud forests here host many native Bulbophyllum and Coelogyne species. 

🔄 to know Gesneriaceae

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Chiang Mai is subdivided into 25 districts (amphoe). The districts are further divided into 204 subdistricts (tambon) and 2,066 villages (muban).

The number after each district name indicates its postal code. 

1. Mueang Chiang Mai: 50000
2. Chom Thong: 50160
3. Mae Chaem: 50270
4. Chiang Dao: 50170
5. Doi Saket: 50220
6. Mae Taeng: 50150
7. Mae Rim: 50180
8. Samoeng: 50250
9. Fang: 50110
10. Mae Ai: 50280
11. Phrao: 50190
12. San Pa Tong: 50120
13. San Kamphaeng: 50130
14. San Sai: 50210
15. Hang Dong: 50230
16. Hot: 50240
17. Doi Tao: 50260
18. Omkoi: 50310
19. Saraphi: 50140
20. Wiang Haeng: 50350
21. Chai Prakan: 50320
22. Mae Wang: 50360
23. Mae On: 50130
24. Doi Lo: 50160
25. Galyani Vadhana: 50270