CHIANG MAI ZOO SNOW DOME

The newly-opened 580-square-metre Snow Dome is the latest attraction in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Soon to be the new home and play pen for Chiang Mai’s famous panda family — Chuang Chuang (the male panda), Lin Hui (the mother), and Lin Ping, their cub born on 27 May, the Snow Dome also features a separate area where visitors to the zoo will be able to see, touch and feel, and even frolic in the ‘snow’.

The Chiang Mai Zoo Snow Dome is set to be very popular with children and families. For visitors from Thailand, the countries of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the mention of snow generates great excitement as it conjures up images of a picture-perfect wintery landscape they have yet to experience.

Frolic in the Snow
When chilled water sprayed from a nozzle comes into contact with the very low temperature inside the Snow Dome (which can be set as low as –5 degrees centigrade), small particles of ice and snowflakes form and fall to the ground as snow.

The Snow Dome includes a snow terrace, a huge slide, and a viewing platform. Visitors can make their own Snowman or snow sculpture, or simply frolic in the snow. Families and friends can engage in snowball fights or experience the thrill of riding down a huge slide on a donut ski.

The Snow Dome is connected to the existing panda display area and features a specially-designated zone and an observation deck from which visitors can enjoy viewing the pandas.

Chiang Mai Zoo authorities are scheduled to move the panda family into their new quarters and display area at the Snow Dome when the cool season in Thailand comes around again in the fourth quarter this year. The panda nursery is also located in this complex. Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, the proud parents, are both on loan from China.

In the meantime, wrap up warmly and enjoy the snow at the Chiang Mai Zoo Snow Dome. Visitors will be provided with a coat and shoes to keep warm while inside the dome.

The admission fee is 150 baht each for adults and 100 baht for children less than 135 cm in height. Visits are limited to 20-minutes. The zoo runs a total of 12 Snow Dome sessions per day with the first session beginning at 9.00 a.m.