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The proceeds from this government-run centre go toward research and elephant conservation initiatives. The center is home to about 50 domesticated elephants, including the first elephant born from artificial insemination, and six of the 10 royal white elephants. The center hosts three daily elephant shows (200 baht for adults, 100 baht for children) at 10:00, 11:00, and 13:00, lasting about 30-45 minutes. During the show the elephants obey commands of the mahout, traditional logging techniques, painting, and playing instruments. After the show you can feed the elephants treats for 20 baht, and pet and have your picture taken with an elephant. You can also ride an elephant in the riding grounds for 500 baht, visit and feed baby elephants and their mothers in the nursery (free) and see sick elephants being cared for in the elephant hospital (free). You can also watch the mahouts bathe the elephants at 09:40 before the first show, or at 13:40 after the last show. A shuttle bus circles the park or you can walk. The centre also has a museum, a homestay program, and a mahout training program. The centre can be reached by public transport from Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal (minibus, 1 hour, 70 baht) or Lampang. A good alternative to many of the high-priced for-profit "sanctuaries" around Chiang Mai.
วัดป่าฝาง
Temple erected in the 19th century with a golden chedi containing reliquaries brought here from Burma. Built during the reign of King Rama IV by Burmese, Wat Pa Fang has a large, glittering gold chedi containing a holy relic brought from Burma around 1906. The extensive Sala Kan Parian (preaching hall) is made entirely of wood with Burmese-style overlapping roofs. Almost across Wat Pa Fang is Wat Chai Mongkhon (วัดไชยมงคล), notable is the kuti (monk's living quarters) which is a white cement building with Burmese-style wooden roof. Inside is housed a bronze Buddha statue of fine workmanship cast in Mandalay, Burma.
วัดพระแก้วดอนเต้า
It used to be the place where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined (the statue is now installed in Bangkok). Interesting structures include the large chedi containing the hair of the Lord Buddha, a Burmese-style mondop, an ancient viharn and a museum exhibiting ancient relics of the Lanna era.
The temple has a small ceremonial hall in Burmese-style. The temple is the seat of a small community of monks from Burma.
วัดศรีรองเมือง
A temple erected in Burmese-style in 1905 when the teak wood trade flourished and Burmese traders came into the town. Major architectural works include the viharn made of wood with several overlapping gables in the Burmese style.