Mountain Biking -- Out in the fresh air in the hills outside of town you get a slower, closer look at nature, sights, and people. Many small trekking companies and travel agents offer day trips, but we recommend the folks at Contact Travel (73/7 Charoen Prathet Rd.; tel. 05327-7178) for their one-day excursions just north of town or for multiday adventures in the region. Day trips start at 1,500B ($36).

Other Activities -- Chiang Mai has a few noteworthy extreme sports venues. In fact, it's getting hard to go to a tourist area these days without seeing a big roadside crane and having your bravado challenged by poster and flyers around town offering a bungee jump; Chiang Mai is no exception and the crane is located north of town in Mae Rim. Just call tel. 05329-8442 if you have the guts, dude. Rock climbers will be happy to have a place to practice at The Peak (28/2 Changklan Rd.; tel. 05382-0776-8), a challenging man-made rock wall just at the back of the Chiang Inn Plaza near the Night Bazaar. Single climbs cost 150B ($3.65) and hourly rates are available. They also arrange trips for climbing the real rocks in the surrounding hills.

Ultra-light aircraft flights have come to Chiang Mai. A small but very organized and safe operation, Chiang Mai Sky Adventures, has a private airstrip north of the city in Doisaket. A 15-minute flight, more or less like a piggy-back ride on the pilot's shoulders, costs just 1500B ($37) and takes you on a great loop out over a large damn and reservoir and past a spectacular hilltop temple. Unforgettable! They also do flight instruction and certification. Contact Mr. Chaimongkol at tel. 05386-8460 (www.skyadventures.info).

Spas and Massage -- The spa industry is taking off all over Thailand and Chiang Mai is no exception. There are a few fine, full-service spas in and around town and treatments come with a price but are worth it. Many hotels offer massage and beauty treatments, but some new "spa" areas are no more than converted guestrooms with subdued lighting and overpriced services. You can pay a fraction of the cost for the same treatment at one of the many small storefront massage parlors in and around any tourist area of the city. Note to the lads: Choosing a "traditional" massage in a place with street-facing windows is just that; while others, with back room oil massage, signify "extra" services so be sure you know what you're getting into.

There are a few very fine day-spas in and around Chiang Mai:

The Four Seasons Resort (Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Rd., Mae Rim; tel. 05329-8181) has some of the finest spa facilities in Thailand and, though it comes with a high price-tag, the quality and service is over the top.

Baan Sabai (on 17/7 Charoen Prathet Rd.; tel. 05328-5204; or 216 Moo 9, San Pee Sua; tel. 05385-4775) is the bridge between the expensive services of a five-star spa and the affordable street-side places. You get the best of both worlds here: a stylish facility and escape for a few hours at affordable rates at either their convenient in-town hideaway (near the Night Bazaar) or the more spacious "Village" just northeast of town.

Let's Relax, located in Chiang Mai Pavilion (on the second floor above McDonald's, 145/27 Changklan Rd.; tel. 05381-8498) and with another location in the basement of Chiang Inn Plaza (100/1 Changklan Rd.; tel. 05381-8198) has affordable massages and is perfect for a quick rest and recharge when shopping the Night Bazaar area.