Thailand Guide
The north
Chiang Mai Zoo
Opening time: Daily 8am–6pm, last tickets 5pm; twilight zone: daily 6–9pm
Price: B100, children B50; twilight zone B200/100. Joint entry to Chiang Mai Aquarium B520, children B390
Address: Thanon Huai Kaeo
Website: www.chiangmaizoo.com
Originally a menagerie of a missionary family's pets, Chiang Mai Zoo now houses an impressive collection of about eight thousand animals in modern, relatively comfortable conditions. There's a children's zoo and a colourful walk-through aviary, while larger mammals include elephants, giraffes, Humboldt penguins, koalas, a rhino and the current favourites, two giant pandas loaned by China.
The grounds are too big to walk round, but "service cars" (small open-sided buses; B20, children B10) and a monorail (B150, children B50) are available.
In the evening, a "twilight zone" features animals feeding, but phone first to check it's operating.