Chiangmai is Thailand's principal Northern city. It is the second largest metropolis in the country, next to Bangkok. The word Chiang means "walled city", and Mai means "new". This "new city" was created in the fertile valley through which runs the river "Ping".
Mountains surrounding chiangmai form lower extremities of Himalayan foothills and host serveral hilltribes of Tibeto- Burman origin. Forests still worked by elephants, water falls, coves, gorges, cultivated orchards and plantations that invite detailed exploration.
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The city of Chiangmai was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai (or Mongrai), Prince of Chiangsaen. Chiangmai became the capital of "Kingdom of Lanna" (Lanna means a million ricefields). In 1556 it was conquered by Burmese force and remained a Burmese Vassal State until 1775.
Old Naga Staircase
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At that time it was liberated by King Taksin of Siam (Now is Thailand) and become a Siamese dependency.
From 1775 to 1938 Chiangmai was ruled by Local Princes, as a vassal of the Kingdom of Siam. The Last hereditary Princes, Chao Kaew-Navarath died in 1938 and had no successor. King Chulalongkorn (Rama 5) of Siam took over the administration of Chiangmai. In 1949 Chiangmai was officially recognized as Thailand's province until now
3 Kings Monoument |
Picture : Left, King Phamuang from Phayao. Right, King Ram Kham Haeng from Sukhothai. In the middle, King Mengrai, who built Chiangmai.
The slogan of Chiangmai :
The Great Honor, Doi Suthep.
The Distinctive ancient culture and tradition.
The Flowers always bloom to all sights.
The Treasured kingdom, Nakorn-Ping.
The full name of Chiangmai is Nophburi Srinakorn Ping Chiangmai.
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Wat Chedi Luang |
One of the most important temples in the city. The exact date of construction has not been decided. The name "Wat Chedi Luang" or "The Great Pagoda Temple" was informally called by the people simply because the largest chedi in Chiangmai. (About 55 m. on each side of the base and 90 m. tall) The chedi was built by King Saen Muang Ma in 1401.
In 1545, a result of the earthquake, today we will see the remain of the
chedi only 40 m. tall. In the temple's area there are 2 interested things,
First it is "Town Boundary Post" or "Spirit of the city" (call SaoInthakin). The other is tall erected gum tree to the left of the extrance.
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Wat Suan Dok |
The temple with a white Large chedi and small chedies that house the remain of many generations of the old chaingmai Royal Family. The temple was built by King Kuena in the area of his garden.
Contained the other half of the Buddha's relic. (the first half was placed at Wat Doi Suthep.) And there is one of the Biggest and most beautiful bronze Buddha image in Thailane called "Phra Chao Kao Tue"
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Wat Chiang Mun |
This temple is the oldest with in the city wall, was founded by King Mengrai. In early morning you will see a wonderful picture on the gable front of the Viharn, it is the great corving.
The 2 most valuable Buddha images are here. First there is the "Phra Sila" (or Stone Buddha), it was probably mad in India about 900. When and how it came to Chiangmai are not know. The other Buddha image is called "Phra Sae Tarn Kamani" (or Crystal Buddha), it was probably made many hundred years ago. King Mengrai brought it from Lamphune in 1296.
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Wat Jed Yod |
The temple of 7 spires, an unusual architecture of chedi. It was founded in 1455, by King Tilohkarat. As a devout Buddhist and to anniversary the year 2000 of the Buddhist era. The model of chedi was the same as a square chedi at Buddhakaya in Bihar, India, Where the Lord Buddha became the Enlightened one. |
* Wat means temple.
Borsarng
Borsang village, Sankampaeng District of Chiangmai in the heart of the handicraft
industy. You will find all of the tradditional handicraft of the old days
an the new in many shops along the Chiangmai - Sankampaeng Road.
Umbrella making at Borsang village is Chaingmai's famous traditional tour. Here the handpaint without pre - planned on the umbrella was attraction for all tourist A bamboo frame and handle while the covering is made from the bark of mulberry tree call "Saa Paper".
They are good souvenir gifts to friends back home Teakwoods carving are beutiful carved furniture for giving your living room or garden a touch of Oriental. Another handicrafts in Borsang - Sankampaeng Such as Thai ceramics, silk and textile, silverware and Saa-paper products.
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Phra Khru Ba Sriwichai
This renowned monk constructed the road up to the temple in 1934-36.
His statue stands at the foot of the mountain on your lefthand side pass
by the road to the temple.
Phuping Palace
The winter palace, open on Friday, weekend and public holidays if nobody of the Royal family is present. Nice walking park, garden flowers interesting if you like. The Palace building combind modern comfort with traditional building style.
Doi Suthep / Doi Pui National Park
It is interesting to pay attention to the surrounding National Park. It has several hiking - trials such as climbing Doi Pui. Here you have a scenic view over the area with down below a hilltribe village, or there is a trail that passes by Hmong village rarely visited by foreigners. Another trial brings you to the Sai Yoi Falls. Avaliable accomodation is near the Park entrance. It is a good place for birdwatching too.
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Wat Phratart Doi Suthep is Chiangmai's most important and visible Landmark all area from the city. Someone told that you have not been in Chiangmai if you do not come all the way up here. Suthep is the name of hermit Suthep Reusi, Who lived here 1,300 years ago.
3,250 feet above sea level, 16km. from the town and 300 steps of steep Naga staircases. You will see the Golden Pagoda where contained holy Buddha relics. It attracts Buddhish pilgrams from all over the world throughout the year.
Today Naga Staircase
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Thee Temple was built in 1386 by King Keuna the Great. (And
was rebuilt in 1525 by Phra Muang KetKhlao) At that time, Phra Maha Sumuna
was invited by King Kaena. He brough the Buddha's relic along from Ceylon.
One part of it was donated to Wat Phratart Haripunchai in Lamphune.
The rest he devided in 2 pieces. One half was placed under a new pagoda (or Chedi.) in Wat Suan Dok in Chiangmai. The other was attached on the back of a white elephant. The animal walked up the mountain and stopped where the Temple was situated now.
If the weather permits, you will witness an excellent scenery of Chiangmai city and surrounding countryside.
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Tha Pae Gate |
It was built in 1296 in reign of King Mengrai. In the past there are 2 gates outer and inner gates. Later, the outer was destroyed. So there is only inner gate call "Pratu Tha Pae" until now.
There is a big area near the gate, that has many ceremony festivals
there through the year. Around Tha Pae Gate there are many Nations
Restaurants, Pubs and Bars, Tourist informations, Guest houses etc.
for Passengers. It Looks like "Thanon Kaosan" in Bangkok when I see there.
* Pratu or Gate means Big door
Chang Pauk Gate |
The Gate was built in 1296 by King Mengrai. At that time was called "Pratu Hua Wiang" (or the Front-Gate of the city). In the coronation ceremony, King of Chiangmai would get into the town by this Gate. The name "Chang Pauk" (or white elephant) was get from, in 1400 King Praya Sanmuangma built the WhiteElephant Statues at the north of the Gate.
Suan Dok Gate |
The Gate was built in 1296, the reign of King Mengrai. The name "Suan Dok" or "Flowers Garden" came from there was the garden of King Kuena outside the Gate. King Kuena built a temple in the garden called "Suan Dok Temple" too
Chiang Mai Gate |
The Gate was built in the riegn of King Mengrai in 1296. It is the Southern gate called "Pratu Tai Wiang" or "Back gate of the city", the route to Lamphun. Because of the name that hold the city's name, Chiangmai corpses or soldiers must not go out of this gate for fear of bringing bad luck and curse to the city. |
Night Barzaar
Many kinds of Thai-Products, handicraft from wood, textile, sa-paper, silver, bronze etc. show you for shopping along Changklan Road until cross Tha Pae Road. Open 6.00 pm to nearly 12.00 pm. There are so many food shops (Thai-Nations), Pub and Bars around this area. You can walk along both sides of the street to find some gifts for your friends at home.
Anusarn Market The Biggest United Food Shops in Chiangmai. Opened Air Food Shops with Poor Rate but Posh Taste. |
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Doi Inthanon
About 109 km. from Chiangmai. You will reach the highest area in Thailand.
(2565 m. above sea level.) Where the temperature never rise above 18 c
through the year. The name "Inthanon" came from the name of "Chao Inthavichayanon", the 7th king of Chiangmai. He demanded that his ashes remain at Doi Aang-Ka after his death. So his daughter, Chao Dararasamee, a Royal Consort of King Chulalongkorn (Rama 5) took her father's ashes to Doi Aang - Ka. And built a small stupa on top of the ashes. You should see the stupa just behind the sign "The Highest point of Thailand." And the name of Doi Aang - Ka was changed to "Doi Inthanon".
 The cold weather and high humidity there, you should prepare your sweater when you reach. the top area. rare type of mosses, wild orchids and many species of birds, you will see there. |
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| On MaeRim - Samerng Route, there are lots of a attractions along the route. Most tour agencies offer tours to this valley. |
Phra Khru Ba Sriwichai
Many orchids become Thailand's National flowers, in various of kinds or species you can see here.
The farms provide sufficient information on the cultivation process, original real orchid souvenirs and jewelry.If you want to buy orchid, make sure to get the right paper form from the Chiangmai International Airport Plant Quarantine Office before exporting. Open daily with entrance fee. |
Mae Sa Snake Farm
The Biggest Snake Center in Northern-Thai. At Km3, Right-hand side. Open dialy with snakeshow, entrance fee. |
2 Falls
Taad Mok Fall at Km 4, Turn right about 30 minutes from the main road. So beautiful in rainy season, and few visitors. Mae Sa Fall at Km 6 Left-hand side, approximately 2 km stepped cascaded by the river. Open daily, Car park and Thai local food. Cheap entrance fee. |
Elephant Camps |
Mae Sa Camp at Km 10 and Pong Yaeng Camp at Km 19. Offer you elephant show daily and excited elephant riding sight seeing tour.
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Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
At km 12, was established in 1993 and received a great honor from HM Queen
Sirikit to grant a royal permission to name this garden offer Her Majesty's
name.
The Garden is situated at the foothills of Doi Suthep-Pui, covering area about 960 hectares. Here is the first true botanical garden in Thailand, was created to serve as a center for botanical studies and research, render services concerning botanic and environmental knowledge as well as to provide recreation for public to enjoy the beauty of green heritage. Open daily, 8.30 AM - 5.00 PM with entrance fee.
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