Faii Wanatchaporn 
Chiang Mai is a land of misty mountains and colourful hill tribes, a playground for seasoned travellers, a paradise for shoppers and a delight for adventurers. Here the curious can expand their horizons with Thai massage and cooking courses. The aesthete will be bowled over by the variety of handicrafts. The wild child will find plenty of lively nightlife, and the epicure can indulge in wonderful cuisine. Chiang Mai truly has it all. Located 700km (435 miles) north of Bangkok in a verdant valley on the banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. Today it is a place where past and the present seamlessly merge with modern buildings standing side by side with venerable temples.
Mon Jam Royal Project Chiang Mai Attractions ADD TO TRIP!19 Mon Jam is a beautiful mountain top viewpoint and restaurant that has views over the Mae Rim Valley and Royal Project farms. Mon Jam is about an hour’s drive away from Chiang Mai and can be reached by car or motorbike. The road going up to the view point is quite steep so it is not recommended for new drivers. Mon Jam is located close to the Mae Sa Valley and along highway 1096 to Samoeng. Mon Jam is sometimes written as Mon Cham which can be confusing when driving there. The top of Mon Jam has a restaurant, a parking area and lots of scenic places to sit, admire the 360 degree view or take photos. There are lots of flowers being grown there so at most times of the year the top of Mon Jam is very colourful. You can also wander through a Royal Project farm and see most of the other farms from the mountain top. The restaurant at Mon Jam serves mostly Thai food and salads and there are bamboo huts with great views to sit and eat in. The menu changes regularly and is written on a white board in Thai. There is some English translation but there is also a basic English menu available. Part of the restaurant is a coffee shop which serves hot drinks for around 60 Baht and iced for 80 Baht. The weekends are very busy with visiting Thai families so weekdays are a better time to visit.
The Royal Projects are funded by the King and royal family as a way to improve the lives of poor villagers, reduce negative environmental impact and improve local economic development.
Local villagers used to grow opium, but now they grow high value crops. Nong Hoi Royal Project is on a mountain, so farmers can grow cool-climate crops which fetch a higher price in local markets. The Project teaches local farmers how to grow them, because they aren't traditionally grown in the area.
Usually Mon Cham is bathed in gorgeous sunshine, but sometimes it's cloudy, cool and extremely windy! It's delightful after spending time in the hot, sticky, polluted city. Butterflies flit around the mountain top at all times of the year!
The giant
The Giant Chiang Mai Hotel, located in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, is a popular choice for travelers. Only 55.2 km from the city center, the hotel's strategic location ensures that guests can quickly and easily reach many local points of interest. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city's must-see destinations.
The Giant Chiang Mai Hotel also offers many facilities to enrich your stay in Chiang Mai. This hotel offers numerous on-site facilities to satisfy even the most discerning guest.
Guests can choose from 5 rooms, all of which exude an atmosphere of total peace and harmony. The hotel offers an excellent variety of recreational facilities, including massage, garden. Whatever your purpose of visit, The Giant Chiang Mai Hotel is an excellent choice for your stay in Chiang Mai.
Kangsadarn Resort and Waterfall
192 Moo1, Pongyang Nai Village, Mae Rim Sameung Road (Km.18), Mae Rim District,Tambol Pongyang , 50180 Pong Yaeng, Thailand
Situated in the middle of green hills in Mae Rim District, Kangsadarn Resort and Waterfall offers non-smoking modern rooms with a private balcony overlooking the majestic mountains and the waterfall of Chiang Mai. The resort is a 10-minute drive to Elephant Village, a natural habitat of the country’s most beloved creature.
Mon Jam is only about 45 min drive from Chiang Mai city, Take the highway 107 towards Mae Rim then take a left on the 1096 highway which is the same road that goes to the Tiger Kingdom. Follow the road down about 15 kilometers and take the turn off to Mon Jam there is a big sign in English too so it’s not hard to miss, the turn off is exactly 3 kilometers pass the Queens Botanical Gardens. This road is very popular for tourists because it has all the ATV, tiger kingdom, elephant camp, monkey and snake shows, you could make a whole day out of it if you wanted.
If you are looking for a day tour from Chiangmai I would highly recommend mon jam for its beautiful scenery. One can do a loop back down to Mae Rim and see different scenery passing elephant camps and other attractions.
