"ดอยสุเทพเป็นศรี ประเพณีเป็นสง่า บุพผาชาติล้วนงามตา งามล้ำค่านครพิงค์"— Chiang Mai's provincial motto captures a province rich in nature and culture. In line with the growing global trend toward sustainable lifestyles, having a green space nearby and easily accessible has become one of the things people value most in choosing where to live, study, or work.
Chiang Mai University makes its network of campus green spaces freely and permanently accessible to the public, not only to students and staff. These spaces are woven throughout the open campus environment and are visited daily, year-round, by both the CMU community and residents of Chiang Mai for recreation, exercise, and leisure, with no admission fee and no requirement to be affiliated with the university.
Ang Kaew Reservoir & Lan Sangkeet
Open hours: Every Day | 05:00 A.M - 10:00 P.M.
Ang Kaew has stood beside the university for more than 60 years and is one of CMU's most important landmarks—a favourite destination for anyone visiting Chiang Mai. The reservoir looks out onto the blockowering peak of Doi Suthep, often veiled in mist during the rainy season, framed by large mature trees.
A lakeside walking path runs for more than 1.6 kilometres, dotted with rest points, and is visited every day by both students and Chiang Mai residents.
Adjoining Ang Kaew is Lan Sangkeet — known among CMU students as "Lan Kwai Yim" — a large grass field that serves as a hub for a wide range of activities, from scheduled student events to everyday evening leisure: various sports, walking pets, and photography.
Suan Sak (Teak Garden)
Open hours: Every Day | 08:00 A.M - 06:00 P.M.
Adjacent to Lan Sangkeet, this area is surrounded by mature teak trees, some decades old, whose canopies interlock to provide shade throughout the day — particularly striking at sunset, when light filters through the branches. Within Suan Sak stands Sala Tham, a red-and-white Thai-style building that has stood alongside the university since its founding and is used for the university's official ceremonies.
Ang Tad Chomphu Reservoir
Open hours: Every Day | 05:00 A.M - 10:00 P.M.
Located in front of the Faculty of Law and next to the Faculty of Mass Communication, this reservoir is often mistaken for Ang Kaew by first-time visitors entering through the rear engineering-faculty gate. It is in fact a separate, newer reservoir, completed in 2016 (B.E. 2559) to provide additional water storage capacity beyond Ang Kaew, and doubles as a recreation and exercise spot. An approximately 800-metre running path circles the reservoir, with gentle elevation changes following the terrain. The reservoir backs onto the Chiang Mai Zoo, and visitors occasionally spot peacocks from the zoo wandering over.
Suan Palm (Palm Garden)
Open hours: Every Day | 08:00 A.M - 08:00 P.M.
Built in 1993 (B.E. 2536) and most recently renovated in early 2024 (B.E. 2567), Suan Palm is named for the palm trees planted throughout the grounds. Large trees provide habitat for birds and squirrels. The garden sits on gently sloping terrain, making it popular for jogging, exercise, and birdwatching walks in the morning and evening; the pondside area is a regular spot for activities such as yoga. A notable feature is a large sculpture resembling a traditional fish trap, set beside the pond.
Tree Tunnel beside the Rugby Field (Front of CMU)
Open hours: Every Day | 08:00 A.M - 10:00 P.M.
Starting from the university's main pedestrian entrance, this shaded walking path runs for approximately 800 metres along the edge of the rugby field before looping back to the main parking area and the purple campus shuttle-bus stop — providing a tree-lined pedestrian route.
The Lanna Traditional House Museum
Open Hours: Every Day | 08:30 A.M. - 04.30 P.M. (Close on Public Holidays)
Situated in a lush green area of approximately nine rai adjacent to the Chiang Mai University Art and Culture Center, the Lanna Traditional House Museum showcases the architectural heritage, traditional dwellings, and cultural way of life of Northern Thailand.
The Museum features 10 traditional Lanna houses and four rice granaries. Each house is an authentic historic structure that was relocated, dismantled, and reconstructed at the site, with careful restoration intended to preserve its original character and architectural integrity. Visitors can explore traditional building techniques, domestic spaces, and architectural features that reflect the region's cultural heritage. The Museum also offers public learning activities, such as the Borderless Classroom, which invites local community members and students from other educational institutions to explore traditional Lanna houses and participate in cultural activities, including landscape drawing inspired by Lanna heritage.
In addition, the Museum provides Youth Plaza, an inclusive space where community members of all ages can engage with local culture through enjoyable and interactive learning experiences. These initiatives encourage cultural appreciation, intergenerational learning, and meaningful community participation in preserving and promoting Lanna heritage.
In addition to showcasing art and culture, Chiang Mai University prioritizes the health and well-being of the local community by providing accessible health and wellness activities in green spaces. These initiatives encourage public participation in physical activities, promote healthy lifestyles, and enhance community well-being in an open and welcoming environment.
Across these green spaces, Chiang Mai University organizes a variety of events and activities that welcome everyone, including members of the wider community, CMU students, and university staff. These inclusive activities encourage participation, foster a sense of belonging, and allow people from all backgrounds to actively engage in campus life. Examples of these events include:
Ho! Carnival : Land of Love
On February 13, 2025, Chiang Mai University Union organized Ho! Carnival: Land of Love at Lan Sang Keed. The event featured a variety of activities, including carnival rides, workshops, food booths, and musical performances by folk singers, full bands, and local artists. Open to the public, the event welcomed local community members, CMU students, and staff to come together, enjoy a vibrant atmosphere, and explore the spirit of love through a memorable shared experience.
Kad Sao Ha : Welcoming Freshmen Fair
Chiang Mai University Union has organized Kad Sao Ha to entertain the university community. The event featured live band performances, a street food market, and a wide variety of activity booths, providing opportunities for everyone to explore an inclusive life, connect with each other, and enjoy their valuable experience. The event also offerred prize giveaways, adding to the excitement and creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
Thai Youth Streets Art
THACCA (Thailand Creative Culture Agency) promoted the “Thai Youth Streets Art” national street art competition, which invited students from across the country to express their creativity through murals at prominent landmarks and institutions. Under the theme “Dream of Thailand,” the competition encouraged young artists to reflect Thailand’s dreams, identity, and contemporary artistic expression, while creating distinctive art landmarks that can support tourism. In support of this initiative, Chiang Mai University designated Lan Sankeet as an outdoor exhibition space to showcase these creative works and promote public engagement with contemporary Thai street art.
Folk Craft 2: Songs of Memory
The CMU Music Club brought Folk Craft 2: Songs of Memory at SAK Square (Lan Sak). Featuring a folk-song band competition alongside a variety of craft products, the event created a platform for students to showcase their musical talents and creative work. The festival continued to celebrate folk music, traditional crafts, and cultural expression, providing opportunities for students and the wider community to engage with local cultural heritage through contemporary forms of presentation.
Happy Aerobic
The Faculty of Engineering organized “Happy Aerobic,” an activity under the Happy Body, Happy Mind initiative, to promote the physical and mental well-being of the local community. Held once a week in September 2025, the activity guided participants through proper warm-up techniques before engaging in aerobic exercise. Through regular physical activity, the initiative aimed to encourage healthy exercise habits, improve physical fitness, and promote a balance between physical and mental well-being.
Running Routes Around Campus
Chiang Mai University actively promotes its open, tree-lined roads and reservoir paths as an exercise resource for everyone, including the local community. The university's own First-Year student portal features a dedicated section recommending running routes around campus, encouraging both the CMU community and outside visitors to use the grounds for jogging and walking.
A guide published by the Student Development Department highlights five specific loops that illustrate how varied and accessible this network is:
- Around the Rugby Field: an 800-metre loop under a shaded tree tunnel, with ample parking and the popular "Talat Na Mor" market just across the road for a post-run snack.
- Ang Kaew Reservoir: the best-known and most scenic route, roughly 1.54 kilometres per lap, starting at the reservoir's coffee shop, following the ridge above the water, crossing the bridge, passing through the rear garden, climbing past the faculty of Law, and looping back via the roundabout.
- Ang Tat Chomphu: a newer 659-metre loop
- Central Stadium: a 1.31-kilometre loop circling the two Physical Education gymnasiums. It starts at the 40th Anniversary Women's Dormitory, crosses toward the outdoor stadium opposite the dorm, continues to the Sustainable Campus Management Center, then loops back past Gymnasium 1 to Gymnasium 2, which sits directly across from the dormitory.
- Around Chiang Mai University: a 7.21-kilometre loop that combines all of the routes together, starting from the rugby field to the central stadium. Through this route, you will be able to visit many spots across the university.
In conclusion, Chiang Mai University demonstrates its commitment to serving the wider community by integrating cultural preservation, public learning, and health and wellness promotion into its campus activities and facilities. Through museums, art exhibitions, cultural learning opportunities, accessible libraries, and health activities in green spaces, the University provides inclusive environments where people of all ages can learn, engage, and improve their quality of life. These initiatives strengthen the relationship between the University and the local community while promoting lifelong learning, cultural appreciation, and sustainable community well-being.
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