Thailand’s “Rose of the North” is a cultural and natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, a multitude of attractions and welcoming hospitality.
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.
Key Tips
- Many elephant camps do not engage in Elephant-friendly practices. Avoid patronizing camps that exploit Thailand’s elephants.
- Patronizing the Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Training Center in Mae Hong Son benefits both villagers and the authenticity of native arts.
- The admission fee for the Chiang Mai Zoo is not inclusive of the fee to visit the Pandas.
- If you plan on arriving in Chiang Mai during the Songkran festival (April 13-15) make sure you pack everything in plastic prior to placing it in your luggage.
http://www.tourismthailand.org
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