In love with Lanna

Visitors can enjoy a variety of dance and musical performances.

If you're planning to be up north this weekend, set aside a few hours to call in at the Royal Chiang Mai Agricultural Research Centre, which is playing host to the "Visit Lanna" festival until Sunday night.

The event, a collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Chiang Mai to promote tourism and Lanna culture, opens at 4pm and is divided into three zones, with plenty of activities spilling out on to Chiang Mai's sidewalks.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of dance and musical performances, artworks and handicrafts by local artists along with stalls selling Otop goods and all kinds of northern savouries and desserts at reasonable prices.

Traditional market

Rajapreuk Square has been set up as an oldfashioned Lanna market, with more than 40 stalls selling such local favourites as kanom sen (Thai riceflour noodles), nook nga (sticky rice with roasted sesame), khao soi (rice noodles in curry soup) and Lanna fried noodles.

Performing arts

Local artists and students are taking turns to stage traditional performing arts including the "jumping bird" dance and the khru kawai sword show.

If you're in the mood for art, check out the Works of Art Road where vendors are offering a wealth of paintings, sculptures, rare toys and handicrafts created by artists and craftsmen.

After touring the market and flower garden, head to the main auditorium to take in the exhibition on Lanna wisdom and watch demonstrations of silk weaving and wood carving.

You can also snap up pottery from Wieng Ka Long in Chiang Rai, ThaiLue textiles from Phayao and wooden handicrafts before kicking back with a plate of noodles and a glass of the local wine. Enjoy!

>>XTRA

Don't miss this!

The festival runs at the Royal Chiang Mai Agricultural Research Centre in Mae Hia district until Sunday. It's open from 4 to 9pm and admission is free. Call (02) 250 5500 extension 34859 or visit www.TourismThailand.org. 

>> New and Jew from "The Star" perform tonight on the Rajapreuk Square stage at 7pm while tomorrow it's the turn of Em Attaphon. The festival closes with "Benja Pheree", a drum show by local musicians.