Chiang Mai National Museum, Chiang Mai Overview

Located in Northern Thailand, the Chiang Mai National Museum is a museum of national importance depicting the history of Chiang Mai as well as the Lanna Kingdom. It is also an educational centre aiming to preserve the art and culture of this part of Thailand. Located close to Wat Chet Yot, the Chiang Mai National Museum should be visited by history lovers and people interested in learning about the varied culture of Thailand.

The Chiang Mai National Museum was started by the King of Thailand in 1973 It is a three storied structure with traditional architecture and a Lanna styled roof. Each floor contains artefacts of the northern Thai art and culture. These typically include Buddha statues from the Chiang Saen Era, Northern wares, Lanna Buddha statues, Tribal artifacts of the tribes of Lanna, historic photos of the kingdom of Chiang Mai and objects carved out from wood.

Exhibits at Chiang Mai National Museum

Currently the Chiang Mai National Museum has six exhibitions on display.
1. The first one is on the natural, geographical and the cultural background of the Lanna kingdom.
2. The second exhibition is just a simple representation of the history of Lanna kingdom.
3. The third one is about the interconnected histories of Chiang Mai and Siam.
4. The economic and commercial aspect of these historical kingdoms is represented in the fourth exhibition.
5. The fifth exhibition is quite an elaborate one. It shows the daily lives of the tribal people of the kingdoms. It also includes the cultural and social life of the different ethnic groups.
6. The last and sixth exhibition is on the fine arts of Siam and Lanna along with stories of their evolution and gradual development.

How To Reach Chiang Mai National Museum

The Chiang Mai National Museum is located on the Superhighway right next to the Wat Ched Yot. It is five minutes away from the Tribal Museum (five minute drive). Most people usually combine both the trips while they visit this side of Chiang Mai.

You can take a taxi or a tuk- tuk (local three-wheeler taxi) from the city centre to reach the Chiang Mai National Museum. Both the Chiang Mai bus terminal 1 and 2 are near to the place. The Bus Station to Doi Suthep is also nearby to the museum.