Chiang Mai
province is in Northern Thailand. The Chiang Mai weather is always cooler than
the rest of the country, with an average temperature of 25°C throughout the
year. The city has plethora of things to see and things to do. The beauty of
the mountains, hill tribe villages, and botanical gardens attracts millions of
tourists to Chiang Mai every year. You can also enjoy a Zoo and Aquarium, a
nocturnal zoo, and classic Northern Thai temples and architecture which are a
Fusion of Lanna, Mon, and Burmese styles.
The north of
Chiang Mai borders the Shan state of Myanmar. Cross-border trade is allowed at
Kew Pha Wok checkpoint in Amphoe Chiang Dao and Ban Lak Taeng checkpoint in
Amphoe Wiang Haeng, so both are tourist sites and places for cultural exchanges
between two nations.
The south is next
to Amphoe Sam Ngao, Amphoe Mae Ramad, and Amphoe Tha Song Yang of Tak Province,
with tourist attractions like Bhumibol Dam, Sam Ngao Cliff, Mae Kasa Waterfall,
and Thee Mo Bo Waterfall.
The east is next
to Amphoe Mae Fah Luang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Amphoe Mae Suai, and Amphoe
Wiang Pa Pao of Chiang Rai Province, Amphoe Mueang Pan and Amphoe Mueang
Lampang of Lampang Province, and Amphoe Ban Thi, Amphoe Mueang Lamphun, Amphoe
Pa Sang, Amphoe Wiang Nong Long, Amphoe Ban Hong, and Amphoe Li of Lamphun
Province.
The west is next
to Amphoe Pai, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Amphoe Khun Yuam, Amphoe Mae La Noi,
Amphoe Mae Sariang, and Amphoe Sob Moei of Mae Hong Son Province. Most popular
places are Amphoe Pai, Pang Oung, and Doi Mae U-kho.
Chiang Mai has a
long History. It was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Nowadays it is a
very modern city, similar to Bangkok.
Chiang Mai
literally means “new city” and has retained the name despite celebrating its
700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai the Great founded the city as the
capital of the Lanna Kingdom on Thursday, April 12, 1296 around the same time
as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai even conferred
with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao
before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be
founded. Henceforth, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core
of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also to be the center of Buddhism in northern
Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was a
very religious leader who even founded many of the city’s temples that remain
important to this day. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it
is possible to experience both Historical and modern Thai Culture coexisting
side by side: the city features centuries-old pagodas and temples next to
modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. This dichotomy is best
appreciated within the moat-encircled old city, which retains much of the
fortified wall that once protected the city center as well as the four main
gates that provided access to the former Lanna capital city. Strangely, for
many years, tourists had mistaken Chiang Mai simply as the base from which they
could plan Trekking and Rafting trips to hill tribe villages and explore other
provinces. Once in Chiang Mai, however, tourists are surprised by the fact that
there are so many things to discover other than its beautiful and historic
temples. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes, a number of elephant camps,
many cooking and massage schools, numerous outdoor activities, a variety of
handicrafts workshops, various cultural performances, and breathtaking scenery
make Chiang Mai one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations. The phrase
"a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around town" was once a
common expression. Today, two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for
travelers to experience all that Chiang Mai has to offer.
The old city of Chiang Mai is
a showcase of the north’s fascinating indigenous cultural identity that
includes diverse dialects, a delectable cuisine, distinctive architecture,
traditional values, lively festivals, numerous handicrafts workshops, northern
style massage, and classical dances. Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine
natural resources including mountains, waterfalls, and Rivers. The presence of
numerous hill tribes that feature a wealth of unique cultures enhances Chiang
Mai’s distinctive diversity. Hill tribe trekking often combined with river
rafting and elephant riding has always been one of Chiang Mai’s greatest
tourist attractions. Nowadays there are innumerable activities and attractions
both in the city and the surrounding province, including massage instruction
and golf. Moreover, visitors can visit workshops where they can learn about the
production of silk or silver, and purchase memorable, hand-crafted souvenirs.
With such a diverse range of attractions and an equally grand selection of
dining and accommodation options, Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers
and luxury tourists can enjoy the ultimate Thailand holiday