Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

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Chiang Mai City from Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai, located in the northern highland 696 km from Bangkok, is the second largest metropolitan city of Thailand. Chiang Mai is truly the land of warm hospitality and nutural wealth. Though modernization has crept into this place for decades, Chiang Mai still retains its traditional charm and centuries-old culture. Its people are gentle, softspoken and proud of their heritage. Besides, the girls of Chiang Mai are also renowned for their good looks, fair complexion and hospitable manners

Chiang Mai, also Chiengmai or Kiangmai, city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai Province, on the Ping River, about 130 km (about 80 mi) from the border with Burma. One of Thailand's largest cities, Chiang Mai is the chief economic center for the northern part of the country and the northern railroad terminus. Many tourists are attracted by the ruins of 13th- and 14th-century temples in the old section of the city, on the western bank of the river, and by the nearby Wat Phra Dhat Doi Suthep temple complex, believed to contain relics of Buddha. Besides tourism, industries include trade in locally produced teak and agricultural products, and the production of traditional silverware, lacquerware, pottery, and other handcrafted items. Chiang Mai University (1964) and the Northern Technical Institute (1957) are here. The Lao people constitute the city's main ethnic group. Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 on the site of an 11th-century settlement as the capital and religious center of the Lanna Thai Kingdom. It was part of Burma from 1558 until 1775. Thereafter, the city was semi-independent until it was incorporated into modern Thailand (Siam) in the late 19th century. Population (1990) 167,000.

Chiang Mai is administratively divided into 22 Amphoes (districts) : Muang, Chiang Dao, Chom Thong, Doi Saket, Doi Tao, Fang, Hang Dong, Hot, Mae Ai, Mae Chaem, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Omkoi, Phrao, Samoeng, San Kamphaeng, San Pa Tong, San Sai, Saraphi, Wiang Haeng, Chai Prakan, Mae Wang.

Peaceful area of the Royal Project Doi Inthanon National Park.

Following are the places most frequently visited by tourists and the numerous places of interest can be conveniently grouped in to the following routes :

Tourist Attractions and Places of Interest :

In the City

Night Market or Night Bazaars

Inthakhin or City Pillar

Lanna Khantoke Dinner

White Elephant Gate

Chiang Mai City Tourist Map

Northern Route

Doi Angkhang, Fang District

Huai Nam Dang National Park

Rafting on the Kok River of Tha Thon Village

Mae sa Snake Farm

Mae Sa Butterfly Farm

Mae Raem Orchid Garden

Mae Sa Waterfall National Park

Wat Oo-Mong

Elephant performances

Festival and Celebrates

Doi Suthep route

Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep

Khruba Siwichai Monument

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Hmong Tribal Village-Doi Pui

Wat Jet Yod

Chiang Mai National Museum

Western Route

King Inthanon Memorial Shrine

Namtok Mae Klang

Op Luang National Park

Phamahathart Chedis

Wiang Tha Kan

Huai Phak Phai Royal Project

Silverware Factory

Sang Ka Lok Ceramics Factory

Wat Phra Borommathat Si Chom Thong

Lacquerware Factory

Eastern Route

Borsarng Umbrell & Sankampaeng Handicrafts

Wat Goo Come

Chiang Mai City Tourist Map

Climate: Cool Season: (late October to end of February). average temperature 21 'C and much cooler at night. The coolest months are December and January. Hot Season: (early March to end of May). Average temperature 29.9 'C. The hottest month is April Rainy Season: (early June to end of October). Average temperature 25.5 'C. The wettest month is September.

History: Chiang Mai is an old city with a proud history. It was founded by King Mengrai (Pho Khun Mengrai Maharat ) who united several small tribes and called the new land A-Nachak Lanna Thai In 1259 after his father's death he ascended the throne at Yonok Nakhon and built Chiang Rai as his capital in 1262. In 1291 he decided to build a new city as the capital of Lanna Thai. He invited King Ramkhamhaeng (Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng Maharat ) of Sukhothai Kingdom and King Ngam Muang (Pho Khun Ngam Muang) of Phayao Kingdom, his very close friends, to help select a site for the new city. They decided on a fertile plain between Doi Suthep Mountain and the bank of the Ping River.

The new city was completed, surrounded by a moat and wall, in 1296. It was named "Nopphaburi Si Nakhonphing Chiang Mai".

Chiang Mai was the capital of Lanna Thai for a long time. It was attacked frequently and finally came under the control of Ayutthaya, then Myanmar. In 1774 King Taksin of Thailand recovered it from the Myanmar. Since then Chiang Mai has been a province of Thailand.

Culture:

Perhaps the most important asset Chiang Mai can claim is its people. Their beauty, hospitality and good manners are legendary throughout Thailand. In the past, Chiang Mai has been a city of economic, religious and political importance. Present-day culture has very deep roots. Chiang Mai has its own dialect and its own cuisine. These have given it a sense of cultural security.

Temples in Chiangmai

Buddhist temples in Chiangmai show off a mixture of architectural styles that reflect the varied heritage of Northern Thailand. Elements from Lanna Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan and Mon temples have all been used in one from or another. Intricate woodcarvings and protective Naga serpent staircases add a flamboyance that reflects an awesome reverence for the Buddhist religion. Gilded umbrellas, guardian figures from the tales of the Ramayana and stupas trimmed with god filigree combine to heighten the overall effect.

To date, there have been some 300 temples constructed in Chiangmai an its outskirts. Visitors should take the time to visit the most revered temples in the city, built during the noble Lanna Thai dynasty.

Transportation

Airport, Train & Bus Terminals to Town. Most hotels provide free transportation from the Chiang Mai airport, railway station and bus terminal to their hotels. There is also a mini-bus (or song theao in Thai) service between airport and town.

City Tour, recommended places to visit, the silverware and nielloware villages on Wualai Road and Nantharam Road. Wat Chiangman which is Chiang Mai's oldest wat famous for its ancient precious Buddha image "Phra Kaeo Khao". Wat Phra Sing which houses the North's most revered Buddhist statue "Phra Sing". Wat U-Mong; Wat Ku Tao; etc.

Phamahathartjedi "Napapolbhumisiri & Napa maetaneedol, Doi Inthanon.
Chiang Mai-Doi Inthanon Route. The route leads to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain of Thailand, standing 2,563.3 meters above sea level. Doi Inthanon is a national park which offers charming mountainous scenery and a great variety of wild life. At nearly the top of Doi Inthanon, Royal Thai Air Force and Thai's people Making the Construction of the Phamahathartjedi "Napapolbhumisiri & Napa maetaneedol" in 1991.

Phamahathartjedi Napapolbhumisir; Making to mark special occasions and for dissemination as well as on the auspicious of H.M. Queen Sirikit's 60th Birthday anniversary on August 12, 1991.

Doi Suthep Route, a tour along this route begins with a visit to Chiang Mai National Museum, then to Ladda Land, which consists of a wide area of native flowers of Asia and a native entertainment pavillion, the Tribal Research Centre, in Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Zoo and the Monument of Khru Ba Siwichai, a most reverend monk who constructed the way up to Wat Phra That on Doi Suthep. Then visitors follow the zigzag road up the mountain to Wat Phra That, a magnificent Buddhist temple standing on the top of Doi Suthep, where the Buddhist temple standing on the top of Doi Suthep, where the Buddha's relics are enshrined. From here visitors can have a fine view of Chiang Mai city and the surrounding countryside. Six kilometers from Wat Phra That further up the mountain stands the Royal Winter Palace (Bhubing Palace) which is beautified with plenty of colourful, exotic flowers. Then the tour ends with a visit to the Tribal Village at Doi Pui, about half an hour's drive from the Bhubing Palace.

Doi Chiang Dao Route, visit colourful flower-omamented Mae Taeng Dam, Young Elephants Training Center, where tourists can watch elephants at work and take a short trip into the forest, and then go over to the well-known Chiang Dao Cave with a mysterious legend.

Highway 109, Mae Rim-Samerng, exit from highway 107 Sai Nam Phueng Orchid and Butterfly Farm

This is the largest orchid farm in Chiang Mai located some 22 kilometers from town. From highway 107 you should proceed along the Mae Rim-Samerng road for two kilometers and turn left for another kilometer. Apart from its large collection of orchids, Sai Nam Phueng farm has a collection of Siamese cats, a butterfly farm and several kinds of animals, making it a very interesting place to visit. For more information please contact (053) 297-152, 279-892 or 298-771, 2.

Mae sa Snake Farm

Mae sa Snake Farm has a large collection of Thai sankes and if you want to visit them you should take the Mae Rim-Samerng road for around three kilometers from town. Here there are snake shows and demonstrations of venom milkong three times a day at 11:30, 14.15 and 15.30 hours. The show takes approximately thirty minutes. For more information you should call (053) 860-719 or (01) 472-1566.

Mae Sa Butterfly Farm

Situated at kilometer 5 on highway 1096 this farm has a large collection of beautiful butterflies for those who have an interest in studying them in their natural habitat.

Mae Raem Orchid Garden

Also located on highway 1096 at kilometer 5.5, this garden has a butterfly garden and a large collection of exquisitely coloured orchids. There is also a souvenir shop which sells locally made products such as broaches, earrings and necklaces all made from natural materials such as flowers, leaves and insects. It is open to the public every day from 07.00 to 17.00 hours and the admission fee is 10 baht per person. For more information please call (053) 297-982.

Mae Sa Waterfall National Park

On the highway 1096 at kilometer 7, you can visit the Mae Sa Waterfall National Park which is located in Mae Rim district. This is quite a famous waterfall with water cascading down and eight-tiered hillside, covered with evergreen trees and bushes. It is a cool and comfortable place all-year-round and seems to attract people from the local area, Thai citizens and visitors from overseas.

Elephant performances

Before demonstrating, their ability to haul logs, the mahouts will bath the elephants in a nearby brook and allow them to enjoy themselves splashing in the water. Afterwards the hauling apparatus is strapped to the large elephants and a log-hauling demonstration takes place which includes neatly storing each log in the way they have been trained at the Baby Elephant Training Centre in Kamphaengphet province. After the show, visitors can make their own arrangements with the mahouts to ride the elephants.

Pang Chang Mae Sa is around kilometer 10 on route 1096 and the elephant show-time is between 09.40 and 10.30 daily. The admission fee is 80 baht per person. For more information please call (053) 297-060. Another alternative is Pang Chang Pong Yak which is about nine kilometers further along the same route.

Change in bloom on Doi Angkhang, Fang District.

Rafting on the Kok River of Tha Thon Village.

Introduce Northern Thai Traditional : Lanna Khantoke Dinner.

Festival and Celebrates :

Chiang Mai celebrates many annual festivals. Three are particulary lively and lovely. These are the "Flower Carnival", the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every February: "Songkran", 13-15 April each year; and "Yee Peng" on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month, generally mid-November.

The Flower Carnival celebrates the period when Chiang Mai's temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom and is characterised by colourful floral floats and parades.

Songkran celebrates the traditional Thai New Year. Chiang Mai celebrates Songkran with special elation in a 3-day caruousel of religious merit-making, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited, good natured water throwing.

Yee Peng is Thailand's loveliest festival when, under the full moon, people float away onto rivers, canals, lakes and streams banana-leaf boats bearing a lighted candle, incense, a flower and small coin to honour water spirits and float away the past year's sins.

Information : Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourist Service Center
: TAT Northern Office : Region 1

105/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd., Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai 50000
Tel.: (66 53) 248-604, 248-607, 241-466; Fax: (66 53) 248-605
E-mail : tatcnx@samart.co.th
Area of Responsibility : Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lumpang and Mae Hong Son
: Hotel & Resorts in Thailand
: Chiang Mai Hotels