Elephant Conservation Center Lampang, Thailand (part of Chiang Mai Guide)

Though this center lies about 70 kilometers southeast of Chiang Mai (on the road to Lampang), it is well worth visiting to learn something about the life of these gentle elephants. The government-run facility is less commercial than other elephant camps around Chiang Mai. Catch the daily shows at 10am and 11am, during which the creatures drag and stack logs, paint pictures with their trunks and even play music. Elephant rides are also available. Proceeds go to the elephant hospital here, which cares for injured animals.