The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden is a stunning area of exotic plants, nature trails and an impressive glass house divided into many sections. It contains a museum chronicling Thailand’s botanical history. Learn about the country’s eclectic flora and biodiversity in this picturesque complex.
Capture photos of the extraordinary plants that decorate this park, which opened in 1992. Its purpose is to conduct research and conserve the country’s plant resources. Lay down a blanket for a picnic beside one of the streams that converge in the garden. Enjoy refreshing breezes in this cool mountainous environment.
Enter the Glasshouse Complex, where the humidity is managed to produce tropical plants. Browse the intriguing specimens, such as native palms and ferns, in the Rainforest Collection. The Aquatic House has many water plant species that grow beside lakes and rivers, while the Cacti and Succulents section provides an arid contrast.
Embark on one of the four garden trails for a walk from 30 to 60 minutes. Arrive at the large Thai orchid nursery. See the tranquil rock garden and enjoy listening to the flow of the waterfall. Other trails meander through the surrounding forest area. Stroll along the bridge with glass viewing platforms for a chance to look down on the tops of trees. It is 65 feet (20 meters) high and runs for 1,210 feet (370 meters).
Watch culinary experts preparing Thai delicacies with spices and herbs grown in the garden. Purchase your own seasonings to take home. Dine at the elegant Botanic Residence.
Note that the site takes its name from Queen Sirikit of Thailand. There is a fee to enter the garden. The complex opens daily from morning until late afternoon. Get around the huge site in a car.
The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden is in the northwestern outskirts of Chiang Mai, 34 miles (55 kilometers) from the city center. It is north of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park and east of the Mae Sa Noi River. Ride a taxi or drive to the gardens in about 90 minutes from downtown Chiang Mai.
