One of the most fascinating holiday places to visit in Thailand goes to “Chiang Mai”, the largest and most significant city in Northern Thailand.  With its proud 700-year long history, Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples can be found.  The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town. 

“Culture and Heritage” is regarded as the main attraction of   Chiang Mai.  The culture of Chiang Mai is reflected through the   architecture influenced by the combination of Lanna Thai, Burmese,   Srilankan and Mon.  Both in the city and its outskirts are home to more   than 300 temples and an extraordinary amalgam of various ethnic   communities from all over the world.  Even though the city has recently   been undergoing a process of regeneration with   the bustle of   modern  life, its glorious past, lies some 500 years back in the time,   which is still not demolished and remains appreciated among all   locals and visitors.  The city has successfully combined its rich history   and traditions with its increasingly modern side.

Another significant factor enhancing Chiang Mai’s distinctive diversity is the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures. The hill tribes mostly make their homes in the highlands.  There are seven major tribes Meo, Karen, Yao, Lisu, Lawa, Lahu and Akha, each with its own distinct culture, religion, language and colorful style of dress. Despite having independent lifestyles, they are hospitable and welcome visitors to their villages where their singular cultures are mostly untouched by the 20th century.
 

 The name “The Rose of the North” has been given  to the city due to its majestic beauty in nature of mountains,  waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions.  Simultaneously, Chiang Mai residents are warm and gracious   which make it more memorable and meaningful to all visitors!              

             

Chiang Mai in the Past


Chiang Mai is an old city with a proud history since it can be traced back for more than 700 years. The name “Chiang Mai”, which literally means new city, was given by King Meng Rai who established the city as the new capital of his thriving Kingdom known as Lanna (million rice fields).  King Meng Rai, together with his close friends King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of Sukhothai Kingdom, and King Ngam Nuang of Phayao Kingdom  planned and selected a site for the new city.  Later on the decision was made to build the new city on a fertile plain between Doi Suthep Mountain and the bank of the Ping River.

Lanna’s new capital, Chiang Mai, then became the center of culture and religion of northern Thailand that has remained for several centuries. Many temples were built; such as Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Suan Dawk, as King Meng Rai himself was very religious.
 
In the middle of the 16th century, Lanna Kingdom was at its maximum size with the expansion of the territory far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet a province above Sukhothai.

After the ending of the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai, Chiang Mai lacked effective leadership which resulted in a series of invasions and occupations from Burma and Ayutthaya.   As Burma conquered Chiang Mai, many temples became influenced by Burmese architect.  Until the end of the 18th century, King Taksin, the Great, regrouped the Thais in the south and finally drove the Burmese out.  Chiang Mai was then governed under the Chakri dynasty, and finally, in 1939, came under the direct control of the central government in Bangkok.

Chiang Mai nowadays is the center of economic, cultural and communications in the Northern part of Thailand!

           
The Setting of Chiang Mai

                  
Chiang Mai is  Thailand’s second largest province and the most significant city in the northern area of Thailand. From Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin, Chiang Mai is located 700 kilometers away which makes its geography quite outstanding. The city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers surrounded by high mountain ranges.  The valley of Chiang Mai is located on the coast of the Ping River and is situated 310 meters above sea level.

The city borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west.  The area is mainly comprised of forest and mountains, approximately 70.8 percent, which is home to the hill tribes.  Another 10.6 percent of the land is used for agriculture purposes.  In addition, wildlife and exotic flora may be found in the national parks.

Most of Chiang Mai’s mountains are aligned from north to south, with a multitude of streams and tributaries including Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang.  The most important river in this area is “Ping River” which has its sources in the Chiang Dao Mountain. This river is known as the support system of Chiang Mai.  One of Chiang Mai’s distinctive features is Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak, which is 2,575 meters above sea level. Chiang Mai is truly amazing by the natural splendor of nature with a variety of flora and fauna.
                    
                

Shopping in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is considered to be a shopping paradise because there is such a wide  assortment of goods at knock down prices.  Chiang Mai is considered to be one of the cheapest places  in Thailand and getting around is very easy.

Chiang Mai is one of the handicraft centres of Asia.  Silk, silver, clothing, rattan, ceramics, interior décor, antiques, Buddhist art, lacquer and neilloware, the options are endless.

The Night Bazaar is undoubtedly the centre of shopping.  It takes up several blocks every evening along Chang Klan Road.  There are countless stalls and arcades with beautiful crafted Northern Thai handicrafts.  The more serious head out to the huge handicraft wholesalers at San Kamphaeng and at Borsang village are colourful umbrellas.  Baan Tawai to the south of the city is a busy carving centre with exquisite pieces and the best selection of antiques.

There are plenty of handicraft shops that cater to tourist shopping tastes scattered around the centre of Chiang Mai.  These shops are more specialized and slightly more expensive but have a better quality.  There are fabric shops and tailors everywhere.  In addition there is quirky little establishments selling hill tribe products and crafts.  There are shoe shops, jewellers and gem dealers and some very exclusive antique shops that can also be found.

Those interested in more modern international items, such as gadgets, clothes and multimedia have the choice of two well stocked malls, Kad Suan Kaew and Airport Plaza, as well as computer related items from Panthip Plaza near the Night Market. There are individual shops scattered in tourists areas where you can pick up bargains on every day items which are made in Asia.  

There is a market which sets up in the old silver-making district of Chiang Mai on Wualai Road on Saturdays, but the better known one is the Sunday Walking Street Market in the Old Town. The latter sets up every Sunday on Rachadamnoen Road from late afternoon and continues to around 11p.m. The street is closed to traffic and stalls line the pavements (sidewalks). Many of the items on display  are unique to Chiang Mai or the surrounding area and are part of the nationwide program known as OTOP (One Tambon One Product) which encourages each district (tambon) to produce its own local specialties in items such as handicrafts, clothing and furniture. Even if shopping isn’t your thing, the Walking Street Market is a great place to go and enjoy a cheap meal and drink or just to people-watch.  If you’re feeling weary there are numerous places offering foot massages.  Street theatre can sometimes be seen as can displays of traditional singing or dancing.
  
Unlike some shopping experiences in Thailand, the prices aren’t deliberately inflated for the foreigner so keep that in mind if you want to haggle. The stall owners are friendly, prices are cheap and the quality is invariably good. The Walking Street Market is a good option to check out on Sundays.    
                  

Chiang Mai Map

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