Chiang Mai: Activities

• rock climbing

  Tour operators offer trips to a set of limestone cliffs, known as Crazy Horse Buttress, behind Tham Meuang On about 20km (12mi) east of Chiang Mai. Rates include two guides trained in first aid and CPR, transport, food, drinking water, equipment rental, insurance and T-shirt.

  At 15m (49ft) high and 16m (52ft) wide, the Peak Rock-Climbing Plaza has one of the largest rock-climbing walls in Southeast Asia. Nonclimbers can watch the action from several adjacent bars and restaurants. Rates include equipment rental.

• massage

  All of the places that teach massage offer massage services as well - there are also dozens of nûat phǎen boraan (traditional massage) centres all around the city, often doing massage for as little as ฿100.00 per hour, but most people find that the massage schools give the best service. Some of the top hotels have excellent spas, though rates for massage will cost at least 10 times more than traditional massage services in the city.

• boxing

  Lanna Muay Thai Boxing Camp offers authentic muay thai (Thai boxing) instruction to foreigners as well as Thais. Several Lanna students have won stadium bouts, including the famous transvestite boxer Parinya Kiatbusaba. According to the director, 'Foreign boxers are much sought after and we offer match-ups with local boxers at all levels of competition'.

• swimming

  Landlocked Chiang Mai can get very hot, particularly from March to July. Fortunately, local opportunities for a refreshing swim abound. Chiang Mai has several swimming pools open to the public. Public pools are cheaper than hotel or private pools.

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