Parks — Chiang Mai

A small city park in the Old City — cozy and well maintained. It's pleasant for a stroll, lying on the grass and feeding the fish.

A small zoo (entrance — 800 baht).

A park 15 minutes' drive from the Old City. Entry — 200 baht. It has several themed zones: an orchid greenhouse, a small zoo (entrance — 800 baht), a rose garden, a pavilion of tropical plants and a lake with lotuses.

Elephant Nature Park is the main reserve and animal rescue centre. The park runs a Visit & Volunteer program, where visitors can stay for a day or longer to interact with the elephants.

Thailand's highest point, Doi Inthanon, is located in the national park of the same name about an hour and a half's drive from the city. Entrance is 300 baht per person. The park has several trekking routes, for example the Kew Mae Pan trail, which runs through stunning tropical forest along the mountain slope to a viewpoint. A leisurely return walk takes about two hours.

A waterfall in Si Lanna National Park, popular with tourists for its unique qualities: calcium-rich water prevents algae from detaching from the rocks, creating a non-slip surface that you can climb up. You can visit for free if you go independently, or as part of a tour for 1,900 baht.

A large botanic garden. You can walk along a banana alley, visit the greenhouse of rare plants, see the fern garden, visit the Natural Science Museum and do an easy trek along the trail by the waterfall. Entrance to the grounds — 150 baht.

At the foot of Doi Suthep, on the Chiang Mai University grounds, Ang Kaew Reservoir is surrounded by forest. It's a great spot for walks, running and watching the sunset. Young people gather here, and the cafe Living a Dream serves excellent breakfasts.