Holiday Destination: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province, a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna (1296–1768) and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is located 700 km north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city is along the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. Chiang Mai means "new city" and was so named because it was the new capital, founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai in the capital of the Lanna kingdom. In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city and has been attracting over 5 million visitors each year, of which between 1.4 million and 2 million are foreign tourists. Chiang Mai gained prominence in the political sphere in May 2006, when the Chiang Mai Initiative was concluded here between the ASEAN nations and the China, Japan, and South Korea. Chiang Mai is one of three Thai cities contending to host the World Expo 2020. It has also recently positioned itself to become a Creative City and is considering to apply for Creative City Status with UNESCO.

Climate

Summer 31.7 °C (89.1 °F), Winter 13.7 °C (56.7 °F)

Tourist Season

Winter Season is the best for visiting Chiang Mai.

Accommodation

Hotels.

General Information Of Chiang Mai

• Land Area: 15.527 sq mi (40.216 km2)
• Population: 1 Lakh.
• Capital City: Chiang Mai.
• Language: Thai and English.

Tourist Attraction in or Near by Chiang Mai

Bhubing Palace

Bhubing Palace is a Royal Residence located Doi Buak Ha, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It was built in 1961 to accommodate the royal family during state visits to the north of the country. There is also a guesthouse for receiving foreign dignitaries. It is built in the mountains overlooking Chiang Mai, to take advantage of the cool mountain air. The rose gardens are particularly famous, and many flowers are grown here that could not otherwise be grown in Thailand. The building sits on stilts. The upper floor is the royal residential area while the ground floor houses the royal entourage. The building master plan was designed by Prince Samaichalerm Kridagara while the building was designed by Mom Rachawongse Mitrarun Kasemsri. The first royal visitors to stay at the Palace were King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark on their royal visit to Thailand in January 1962.

Chiang Mai Zoo

Chiang Mai Zoo is a 200 acre zoo located on 100 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand, just north of Chiang Mai University. It is the first commercial zoo in Northern Thailand, and was established on 16 June 1977. Its plentiful animals and beautiful natural setting, the zoo is one of the popular attractions in Chiang Mai. Since December 2003, it has become a must visit place for both Thai and foreign visitors as it received Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, a couple of pandas from Sichuan, China. Six years later in May 2009, the couple produced a cute baby panda named 'Lin Ping' who is now a new star of the zoo.

Wat Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin. Probably due to stability problems it took until mid-15th century to be finished during the reign of king Tilokaraj. It was then 82 m high and had a base diameter of 54 m, at that time the largest building of all Lanna. In 1468, the Emerald Buddha was installed in the eastern niche.

Wat Chet Yot

Wat Chet Yot is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. It is a centre of pilgrimage for those born in the year of the snake. Built during the reign of King Tilokkarat in the late 15th century, this “Temple of the Seven Spires. This wat is markedly different in style from the others in Chiang Mai. Its unusual design featuring a main rectangular chedi with seven spires (chet yot) derives from its Indian inspiration. More specifically, Wat Chet Yot copies the Maha Bodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The temple also shows elements of Burmese, Chinese Yuan, and Ming influence.

Tha Ton

Thaton is a town in Mon State, in southern Myanmar on the Tenasserim plains. Thaton lies along the National Highway 8 and is also connected by the National Road 85. Tha Ton, a village of Mae Ai County about 160 km. north of Chiang Mai town, is the starting point of the beautiful Kok River which flows along to Chiang Rai. As a small tourist spot, there are restaurants, souvenir shops and accommodations lining on the bendy banks of the river.

Ob Luang Gorge

The Mae Chaem River thunders through a very narrow gorge. Footbridges across the river at the Krairaj Resort and high across the gorge 500 meters downstream make a circular walk possible. A walk up from the downstream bridge passes an ancient burial site Land of Prehistoric Human, the remains of which are in the National Museum in Chiang Mai. Ancient drawings on rock beneath an overhang higher up are of questionable authenticity, but a fine view over the valley can be enjoyed from the rock outcrop above at Doi Pa Chang.

Wat Chiang Man

Wat Chiang Man is a Buddhist temple inside the old city of Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand. This is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai town which was built in 1296 by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. The temple is famous for its Lanna style chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses and an ancient and invaluable Buddha image named Phra Kaeo Khao.

Huai Nam Dang National Park

It was formerly know as an area of Doi Sam Muen highland development project which was initited by His Majesty the King to solve the problem of forest encroachment and poaching, as well as to enhance the lives of the local hilltribe people. As this area is filled with attractive natural condition and virginal forests provided vital watersheds, Huai Nam Dang was declared the 81st national park of Thailand by the Royal Forest Department on 14 August 1995. Huai Nam Dang National Park covers four districts Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, and Wiang Haeng in Chiang Mai province including Pai district in Mae Hong Son province, covering an area of approximately 1,247 square kilometres. Later on it was designated as the National Park for commemorating 100th year establishment of the Royal Forest Department and also for the celebration of His Majesty the King’s 50th year on the throne.

Accessibility

Bus Terminal in or Near by

Chiang Mai Bus Station

Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai Provincial Arcade Transport Station

Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chang Phuak Transport Station

Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pai Mae Hong Son Cheang Mai Station

Wiang Tai, Pai
Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Airport

Chiang Mai International Airport: For International flights.

Railway Stations

Chiang Mai Railway Station

Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pa Sao Railway Station

Umong, Mueang Lamphun
Lamphun, Thailand

Saraphi Railway Station

Yang Noeng, Saraphi
Chiang Mai, Thailand