CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located some 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.

Chiang Mai, a city surrounded by a ring of mountains, has weathered seven hundred years of fascinating history. Chiang Mai has its own very distinctive culture, arts, festivals, and traditions as well as an exciting mix of local, ethnic as well as expatriate communities from all over the world. It has been voted one of the top destinations to live in Asia and is a modern and cosmopolitan city, while not having lost its traditional old charm.

In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city, although it lacks the cosmopolitan nature of Bangkok. It has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its important strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry (particularly silver) and woodcarving.

While officially the city (thesaban nakhon) of Chiang Mai only covers most parts of the Mueang Chiang Mai district with a population of 150,000, the urban sprawl of the city now extends into several neighboring districts. This Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of almost 700,000 people, nearly half the total of Chiang Mai Province.


History of Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI “Nopphaburi Si Nakhon Ping Chiang Mai” (new town) was established by King Mengrai in 1292. Two hundred years later, the city was subdued by a Burmese invasion and became Burma's vassal state in 1558. In 1774, Chiang Mai was liberated by King Taksin and became part of Siam and once again capital of Lanna (a million rice fields) an independent princedom, tributary to Bangkok. Today, Chiang Mai is the largest city of northern Thailand possessing unique cultural characteristics surrounded by truly magnificent natural beauty. Chiang Mai is also a centre of learning, art, antiques, and the ancient tradition of Lanna. An increasing number of tourists, both Thai and foreign, visit again and again, impressed by the hospitality and talent of the people, reflected in various silk, silver, sa paper products, hand made cotton and silk, wood carving, ceramics and other handicrafts – and, of course, the food.


Tourist Attraction

Temples in Chiang Mai

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep: the most famous temple in the area, standing on a hill to the north-west of the city. This temple dates from 1383. Its builders allegedly chose its site by placing a relic of the Lord Buddha on an elephant's back and letting the elephant roam until it came across a place where it trumpeted and circled before lying down. The onlookers took this as marking an auspicious place to build the temple. The temple's location also affords superb views over the city on a clear day.


Wat Chiang Man: the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. King Mengrai lived here while overseeing the construction of the city. This temple houses two very important and venerated Buddha figures - Phra Sila (a marble Buddha) and Phra Satang Man (a crystal Buddha).


Wat Phra Singh: located within the city walls, dates from 1345 and offers an e northern Thai style architecture. It houses the Phra Singh Buddha, a highly venerated figure,xample of classic transferred here many years ago from Chiang Rai. This temple is one of the most important temples in the city. Visitors can also take part in meditation classes here at set times.

Wat Chedi Luang: founded in 1401 and dominated by the large Lanna style chedi which dates from the same time, but took many years to finish. An earthquake damaged the chedi in the 16th century and now only two-thirds of it remains.

Wat Ched Yot: located on the outskirts of the city, this temple, built in 1455, hosted the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1977.



Wiang Kum Kam: the site of an old city situated on the southern outskirts of Chiang Mai. King Mengrai used this for ten years before the founding of Chiang Mai. The site has a large number of ruined temples.


Wat U-Mong: a forest and cave wat in the foothills in the west of the city, near Chiang Mai University. Wat U-Mong is known for its grotesque concrete fasting Buddha and hundreds of pithy Buddhist proverbs in English and Thai posted on trees throughout its grounds.


Wat Suan Dok: a 14th century temple located just west of the old city-wall. The temple was built by the King of Lanna for a revered monk visiting from Sukhothai to spend the rains retreat. The name translates as "the field of flowers temple." There are several unique aspects to this temple. One is the temple's large ubosot (ordination hall). This is unusual not only for its size, but also that it is open on the sides instead of enclosed. Secondly, there are a large number of chedis housing the ashes of the rulers of Chiang Mai. The temple is also the site of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya Buddhist University.


Phuping Palace and National Park
Located another six kilometres up the mountain, this site is decorated with plenty of colourful, exotic flowers. It serves as the royal winter residence from mid–December to early February, when it is closed to visitors. Carry on up the mountain and you visit a very touristy Hmong hill tribe village Baan Doi Pui, or continue to a lovely viewpoint near the summit.

Night Bazaars
One of the city's main attractions is the night market which comes to life when the sun goes down. The bazaars and shopping plazas which sell anything from T-shirts to costume jewellery and reproduction antiques situated along Chang Khlan Road. Here, at a modern covered market by the city's central Chang Khlan Road, an incredible variety of goods are offered for sale every night between about 5 P.M. and midnight. Here one can find a wide range of antiques, handicrafts in every shape and form, hilltribe clothing and ornaments.

Chiang Mai Zoo
is spread out over a huge area at the foot of Doi Suithep. Most of the animals enjoy quite large natural habitats here, with inhabitants ranging from bears to penguins. The latest additions are two Chinese pandas which are hugely popular.

Chiang Mai National Museum
This is located next to Wat Jet Yot and houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art, ancient Buddha images and war weapons. The museum is built in a vague neo–northern Thai style and aims to preserve the art and culture of northern Thailand, it’s hardly world–class but a good introduction to local history.


Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre
offers elephant shows, bathing elephants and elephant rides. Located about an hour’s drive into the Mae Sa Valley, this is a great outing for the whole family. There’s even a bamboo rafting centre. It’s one of several camps in the area, with the rival Mae Taman camp in Mae Tang operated by the estranged wife of this camp’s owner. There’s another well known camp in Lampang, and all offer a fun experience with elephants trained to paint, play musical instruments and conduct humorous stunts.

Chiang Mai Night Safari
This controversial park at the foot of the national park, southwest of the city, occupies about 120 acres of prime forest with several enclosures, lakes and a public pavillion, except the animals haven’t shown up. Opened in 2006 it’s had difficulties finding safari animals, but the themed park looks good.

Doi Inthanon
Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain of Thailand, standing 2,563.3 meters above sea level. The park itself lies roughly 90 minutes' drive southwest of Chiang Mai and is popular for its magnificent waterfalls, flora and excellent views. You can drive all the way to the top, where stately chedis have been erected in honour of the present King and Queen of Thailand. The climate up at the top is almost alpine and cool at all times of the year, with sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures in winter.

On the way to the peak, driving up from Chom Thong, there are numerous waterfalls on both sides of the road to explore. The most spectacular may be Mae Yai Falls, which drop 100m in cascade form. Mae Klang waterfall is the most accessible, found right beside the park entrance at the bottom, and is hugely popular with picnicking Thais on weekends. It's certainly worth stopping for. alfway up is Wachiratan waterfall which plunges over a 40m drop and cascades down through some suitable swimming pools. The final waterfall, Siriphum, can be seen from the road near the ranger station and campsite and is also a tall wisp of white water and usually less busy. However, the water level varies greatly from dry to rainy season.

Doi Inthanon National Park lies beyond Namtok Mae Klang. Doi Inthanon is one of Thailand's most famous National Parks and one of the best equipped to welcome visitors. It is sittuated in the area of three Amphoes Chom Thong, San Pa Tong and Mae Chaem, and covers some 1,005 square kilometers. It offers marvellous natural scenery. Shooting, fishing and causing damage of trees and plants are strictly forbidden.

To get to Doi Inthanon take Highway No.108(Chiang Mai-Hot) and turn to Highway No.1009 at Km.57 up to the top of Doi Inthanon for a distance of 48 kms.


Transportation Guide

By Car Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road) and turn to Highway No. 32 (Asia Highway) passing Ayutthaya, Angthong, Nakhon Sawan, then by Highway No. 11, from Tak, Lampang, Lamphun to Chiang Mai: a distance of 696 kilometres or 9 – 10 hours.

By Rail Express and rapid trains leave for Chiang Mai from Hualamphong Station several times daily and the trip takes about 12 - 15 hours depending on the class. It is recommended to reserve seats in advance, especially for sleepers. For further information please contact Tel. 0 2220 4334 or call 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th Chiang Mai Railway Station Tel. 0 5324 2094

By Air

Thai Airways InternationalTel. 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or call 1566 or visit www.thaiairways.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5392 0999 and 0 5392 0920

Bangkok Airways Tel. 0 265 5555 or call 1771 or visit www.bangkokair.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5327 6176, 0 5328 1519

Air Asia Tel. 0 2515 9999 www.airasia.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5390 4800-3, 0 5392 2170

Orient Thai Airlines Tel. 0 2267 3210-5 or call 1126 or visit www.fly12go.com or email to reservationcenter@orient-thai.com Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5390 4606-9

Nok Air Tel. 0 2900 9955 or call 1318 or visit www.nokair.co.th Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5392 2183).


All operate several daily flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A one-way flight takes about one hour. There are also regular domestic flights between Chiang Mai and other major cities in Thailand and international flights to and from some major Asian destinations, e.g. Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, run by Thai Airways International and other foreign airlines. Tel. 0 5392 2183

By Bus Several ordinary and air-conditioned buses leave daily from Bangkok Bus Terminal (Jatujak) and it takes about 10 hours Tel. 0 2936 2841 -48 and 0 2936 2852 – 66 ext. 442 or 311 There are also private buses which can be booked at the Bangkok Bus Terminal, the Bus Company or any licensed travel agent. For a reservation please contact

Transport Co. Ltd. Tel. 0 2936 2852-66 www.transport.co.th Chiang Mai Office Tel. 0 5324 1449

Tanjit Tour Tel. 0 2936 3210

Nakornchai Air Tel. 0 2936 3355 www.nca.co.th

New Wiriyayanyontra Tour Tel. 0 2936 2207

Sombat Tour Tel. 0 2936 2495-99

Sahacharn Tour Tel. 0 2936 2762

Siam First Tel. 0 2954 3601-7

Chiang Mai Arcade Bus station Tel. 0 5324 2664

North of Thailand

The north is a region of forests and mountains, and rivers and waterfalls, often set against a backdrop of swirling mists and fog. It occupies an approximate area of 170,000 square kilometers; the Northern Region of Thailand is mainly mountainous with dense jungles. The northern frontier runs from Tak Province upward to Mae Hong Son, some districts of Chiang Mai and on to Chiang Rai. To the east, the border touches mainly on Laos demarcated mostly by mountain ranges from Phetchabun upward through Uttaradit, Nan, Phayao and Chiang Rai. The northern region is the home of Thailand's many colorful hill tribal people such as the Lahu of Tak and the Yao, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of the Chiang Mai and ChiangRai mountain regions. The North is also noted for its rich cultural traditions, and many tourists from the surrounding provinces flock to Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.

Many of Thailand’s superior handicrafts are produced by northern hill tribes, making this an excellent place to pick up authentic gifts, keepsakes and souvenirs of your journey. The north is also a region of adventure. Rafting on rapids, mountain treks, mountain biking and even elephant safaris make exploring the region as exhilarating as it is fascinating.

History

The first true Thai kingdom was located in the north at Sukhothai. The Kingdom of Sukhothai was founded in the 13th century when Khmer power was beginning to wane. Its power base was in the Yom basin with Sukhothai as its capital. There were several cities under its domination including Kamphaeng Phet and Phitsanulok. Sukhothai reached its zenith of influence during the reign of King Ramkamhaneg the Great militarily, administratively, culturally and commercially. Close commercial contacts were established with China. Its power began to decline after two centuries and the kingdom, which held sway in the central region. The Lanna Kingdom was established by King Mengrai with Chiang Mai as its centre. Nineteen successive kings ruled the land lasting about 280 years before it fell to the Burmese (circa 16th Century). Some two hundred years later, the Thip Chang dynasty was founded and ruled Lanna as a vassal state of Thailand during the reign of King Rama I.

Thailand northern region comprises 17 Changwats (provinces);

1. CHIANG MAI

2. CHIANG RAI

3. KAMPHAENG PHET

4. LAMPANG

5. LAMPHUN

6. MAE HONG SON

7. NAKHON SAWAN

8. NAN

9. PHAYAO

10. PHETCHABUN

11. PHICHIT

12. PHITSANULOK

13. PHRAE

14. SUKHOTHAI

15. TAK

16. UTHAI THAN I

17. UTTARADIT