Mae Fah Luang Art and Culture Park

The Mae Fah Luang Foundation, established under the patronage of the Princess Mother, created this park on the western edge of Chiang Rai as a home for a Lanna art collection and a centre for northern culture. The buildings are the first thing worth noticing: Haw Kham, the main hall, was assembled from thirty-two dismantled teak houses collected across the north, put together as a single large structure with a raised interior and a collection of Lanna wooden sculpture, lacquerware, textiles, manuscripts and ritual objects displayed in it. Haw Kaew, a second building, holds changing exhibitions and a permanent display on teak. The grounds are landscaped with lawns, water and mature trees, and contemporary sculpture is placed through them. It is quiet, well presented and takes two to three hours - considerably more substantial than the temples most Chiang Rai visitors see and considerably less visited.

What you actually see

• Haw Kham - the main hall assembled from thirty-two salvaged teak houses.
• The Lanna collection - wooden sculpture, lacquerware, textiles and manuscripts.
• Haw Kaew - changing exhibitions and the permanent teak display.
• The grounds - landscaped gardens with contemporary sculpture.

When to go

November to February. Closed Mondays. Two to three hours covers both buildings and the grounds. It is quiet compared with the White and Blue temples.

Honest expectations

Closed on Mondays. Ticketed, with separate charges for the two main buildings at times. Photography is restricted inside. It is a serious museum rather than a photogenic stop, which not everyone wants.

Nearby

The Black House is north; Chiang Rai town and the Blue Temple are east.