Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI is the biggest city in mountainous Northern Thailand. It was founded in 1296 as the new capital of Lanna. succeeding the former capital Chiang Rai, it was capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. Its Old City area still retains vestiges of walls and moats from its history as a cultural and religious center. It is also home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang, adorned with carved serpents. The city is also the capital of the province with the same name and the population is 150000, resp. 1,2 million for the metro area. The whole province is home of 1,8 million people. About 14 % of the province’s population are hill tribes. Beautiful nature blended with Lanna Culture and colors of contemporary, Chiang Mai therefore attracts many tourists, both Thai and foreigners. Located among the rolling foothills of the Himalayan Mountains 700 km north of the capital Bangkok, it could only be reached by an arduous river journey or an elephant trek until the 1920s. This isolation helped keep Chiang Mai's distinctive charm intact. The city's location on the banks of the Ping River (a major tributary to the Chao Phraya River) and its proximity to major trading routes contributed to its historic importance. Situated on a plain at an elevation of 316 m, surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population. Chiang Mai's historical center is the walled city. Sections of the wall dating to their restoration a few decades ago remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest only the moat remains. Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples dating back to the founding of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas and pagodas laced with gold filigree. But the most famous is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a mountainside 13 km away. The province of Chiang Mai is the second-largest of Thailand. It lies in upper Thailand and is bordered by Chiang Rai to the northeast, Lamphun and Lampang to the south, Tak to the southwest, Mae Hong Son to the west and Shan State of Myanmar to the north.

HISTORY: King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai in 1296 on a site that the Lawa people called Wiang Nopburi. King Mengrai was a powerful leader who gathered the migrating Tai from Yunnan into the first real kingdom of the region, and Chiang Mai, meaning ‘new city’ became its center. Surviving and thriving through a glorious and sometimes tumultuous reign of fortunes, Chiang Mai has become one of Thailand’s true cultural and historic treasures. Chiang Mai succeeded Chiang Rai as the capital of Lanna. The Ping Valley was large enough for widespread rice cultivation and the mountains provided an excellent defense against invaders. Pha Yu enlarged and fortified the city, then built Wat Phra Singh in honor of his father Kham Fu. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall since the nearby Taungoo Dynasty of the Bamar people was a constant threat, as were the armies of the Mongol Empire, which decades earlier had conquered most of Yunnan in China and in 1292 overran the bordering Dai Kingdom of Chiang Hung. Tradesmen and craftsmen were attracted, impressive temples built and the city flourished for centuries through to its zenith under King Tilokarat in the 16th century. With the decline of Lanna, the city lost importance and was occupied by the Taungoo in 1556. Chiang Mai formally became part of the Thonburi Kingdom in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thonburi king Taksin helped drive out the Taungoo Bamar. Subsequent Taungoo counterattack led to Chiang Mai's abandonment between 1776 and 1791. Lampang then served as the capital of what remained of Lanna. Later Chiang Mai slowly grew in cultural, trading, and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of Northern Thailand. The modern municipality dates to a sanitary district, that was created in 1915. It was upgraded to a city municipality in 1935. Getting to Chiang Mai was a very arduous trip by river skiff or elephant. When the railway line arrived irom downn 1920, along with the telegraph, the city’s isolation came to an end and by 1932 it had become a province of Siam (later Thailand). Importantly, the city and its people preserve their Lanna Heritage, speaking their own dialect, dressing in local costume on Fridays and upholding unique ceremonies, of which Yee Peng, and the launching of lanterns for Loi Kratong, are the best loved.

GETTING THERE. Chiang Mai International Airport is located just about 3 km southeast from downtown Chiang Mai. It handles both domestic and regional international flights. The route from Bangkok is one of the busiest in the country with more than 20 flights per day. There are currently 30 different airlines that fly into and out of Chiang Mai. On the domestic routes beside Bangkok major tourist destinations are served, such like Phuket, Krabi, Suratthani, Koh Samui, Hat Yai etc. in the south. Airlines serving domestic routes are Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Nok Air, Lion Air and Thai Vietjet. Some of the mentioned airlines offer also international flights in the region, as other airlines (mainly from China) do as well. International destinations which are served are Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, Luang Prabang, Hongkong, Macau, some major cities in China and others. About bus services. On the Bangkok - Chiang Mai route is a variety of daily buses offering, varying choices of price, comfort and speed. The fastest ones need approx. 9 hours for the 700 km. Of course, the northern capital is a major hub for bus rides to all provinces in the upper north and inside the province itself. Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Lampang, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Tak etc. to mention some of them. About travel by train. Services from Bangkok's train station leave on a regular daily schedule and take 12-14 hours to reach Chiang Mai. Parts of the upper north section are really impressive, with bridges, forest, villages and fields. Day- and night time trains are available. Overnight sleepers provide comfortable bunks with clean sheets and pillows in first- and second-class. Tickets can be bought up to 60 days in advance at any station in Thailand. Chiang Mai Train Station is located right in the city center. For getting around in Chiang Mai City and surrounding itself, lots of services are available. Buses, Taxis, Tuktuks, Songtaews (covered pick-up trucks have two long bench seats in the back). Last but not least, car hire services are available both in the city center and at the airport.

ATTRACTIONS. Chiang Mai is blended with beautiful nature, Lanna Culture and colors of contemporary. A reason this province attracts many tourists, both Thai and foreigners. Situated in the northern mountains of Thailand, there is no shortage of interesting and exciting attractions in Chiang Mai for all kinds of travelers. With its exquisite temples, colorful festivals and beautiful natural attractions, this not so big, yet impressive city, promises a cultural experience like no other. The walled, moated Old City is Chiang Mai’s cultural heart, with centuries-old temple compounds like Wat Phra Singh, known for its Lion Buddha statue, or Wat Chedi Luang, with a huge reconstructed pagoda…just to mention two of many historic temples in the old part of the city. Overlooking the city from its mountain throne, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of Northern Thailand's most sacred temples and a landmark of Chiang Mai, which offers great views to the city and its surroundings as well. Experience the local way of life and shop for stylish handmade products at Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar or at Saturday and Sunday Walking Street. Just a few kilometers out of town, the village of Bosang is home to the famous umbrella painter. Warrorot Market is a must-visit for food lovers as it offers a wide range of ready-to-eat meals, local snacks and all kinds of fresh produce. It is also a big trading place for textiles and other goods. The Ping River invites for a short cruise upriver to a farm, where you can enjoy a traditional Northern Thai dish. Many sights of interest are located a bit outside the northern capital. South of the city you will find the ancient ruins and temples of Wiang Kum Kam. Also south of downtown on a small forested hill top is the location of Wat Doi Kham, featuring ornate gold carvings and a big sitting Buddha statue. About 20 km north of the city the Mae Sa Valley is a green, forested area with one main road running through it and lots of tourist activities scattered along the road, such as elephant camps, orchid farms, Mae Sa Waterfall, Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Hmong hill tribe villages etc. East of the city the hot springs of San Kampaeng and also Mae Kampong, the picturesque village in the mountain jungle, do attract many visitors. Elsewhere in the province and a bit further away from the city, Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the most popular day trips. It is also the highest peak of Thailand with 2565 meters above sea level and it is a 100 km drive from the city in southwestern direction until you reach the peak. Here expect nature trails, scenic waterfalls, idyllic hill tribe villages and some great view points. Just about 50 km southwest from downtown is the valley of Mae Wang. Highlights here are trekking, bamboo rafting, Karen hill tribe villages and lots of small elephant camps who offer elephant care packages. About 40 km to the north of the city is the valley of Mae Taeng and here as well lots of activities are offered, such as trekking, bamboo rafting, white water rafting, elephant care, ATV (Quad) etc. Going further north you will reach Chiang Dao, where the mystic cave is the main attraction, but also hiking and visits to hill tribe villages. In the far north of the province, 175 km from Chiang Mai City is the scenic village of Thaton. This is the starting point for boat trips on the Kok River through the mountain to Chiang Rai. About festivals. Songkran Festival (12-15 April) and Loy Krathong Festival (November) are celebrated all over the country, but both of them are most popular in Chiang Mai. Other famous festivals are the Chiang Mai Flower Festival (first weekend in February), the Bosang Umbrella Festival (in late January) and the Inthakin City Pillar Festival in May.