Chang Mai

Places of Interest - Thailand

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introduction

Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai province and is often referred to by Thai as the capital of the north - actually it is the second city in Thailand after Bangkok in size and importancy. The city is located about 700 km north of Bangkok between the highest mountains in the country, it’s walled and surrounded by water. Thai consider the city as a mythical city with great value for Thailand, now and in its rich history as a trading city. In recent years the city has been modernized at a rapid pace, but it is not such a metropolis as Bangkok and tradition and atmosphere have not been lost.

There are many reasons why thousands of tourists come to the city every year; one reason is the important strategic location in the past in connection with the Silk Road. Later, the city has become an important center for handicrafts, umbrellas, jewelery (mainly silver) and carvings. Now it is a very important "hub" for tourists to visit the golden triangle, make a multi-day tour to the beautiful nature around Chiang Mai and finally the city has a abundance of temples and other attractions. A Thai saying is: if you have not been to Chiang Mai you can not say that you have visited Thailand.

highlights

The inner city:

Chiang Mai city contains about 300 temples and it is difficult to make a selection so as not to be "tagged out". The most important and most frequently visited Buddhist temple is Wat Phra Singh with it’s sacred Buddha statue should not be missed.

Built in the 14th century, this temple in North Thai (or Lan Na) style is built with chedi's and beautiful wall drawings. Other important temples are the Wat Chedi Luang (a temple complex partly a ruin) and Wat Chiang Man which should be the oldest temple in the city.

Other attractions in the city are the shopping streets Th. Ratchadamnoen and Th. Wualai which is for Thai as tourists alike. A Thai experience that gives its diversity and colorful a completely different picture of shopping in general. From souvenirs to clothing and from exotic refreshments to traditional tools of surrounding hill tribes. In the evening you can enjoy the famous and very busy and popular night bazaar.

There is a national museum, a hill tribe museum, a textile museum and a cultural center next to many other attractions such as the zoo, a mosque and a city park. Finally, you can take a look at the old city walls and the gates.

Multi-day tour around Chang Mai (see Tours).

Other attractions:

Bo Sang (parasol or umbrella village), Wat Prathrat Doi Suthep and Phu Phing palace.

history

The city Chang Mai was founded in 1296 by king Phaya Mengrai after defeating the Mon Kingdom in modern Lamphun. The earthen walls (the city name means literally, “new walled” or “walled city”) are still visible in some places today. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the city entered into an alliance with the more south-facing "Sukothai" to form the Lan Na Thai Kingdom.

At the height of this Kingdom it even expanded into Laos in the north and Chiang Mai became a very important cultural and religious center. It is certain that as early as in the 15th century Muslim Chinese people used the city as trading post between Yunnan province in China from the Indian Ocean (Moulmein in Myanmar today). While the Chinese transported their goods on mules and ponies, it was customary to use buffaloes and elephants in Thailand. In principle, there were three trade routes that all met in and around Chang Mai so that they could be transported south through the valley. Silk, opium, tea, dried fruit, leather ware, ponies and mules went south, while gold, copper, cotton, tobacco and ivory went north. Near the existing night market the goods was exchanged.

In the 16th century the city was occupied by the Burmese who had settled in this region in the 11th century. For about 200 years the Burmese would control the entire province including Chang Mai until in 1775 the Thai recaptured the city. Thaksin would place a Viceroy here and 25 years later the city walls would be built that is still visible in the city in some places. The city was also considerably expanded and modernized. In these years, the city became an important trading city mainly through the trade in teak.

In 1921 the north and the central part of Thailand were connected by train tracks. It was not until 1933 that the province became officially part of a large Siam. From 1960 the city became an important tourist center. When President Thaksin came to power in 2006 (born and raised in the city), millions were invested in infrastructure, training and work so that the average income went up considerably.

Chang-Mai-Region-Forest-National-Park-Thailand

tips & advice (1997)

On the outskirts of the city (west) lies the International Airport Chiang Mai. About 1 to 2 kilometers east of the center is Chiang Mai train station. The starting point of the Eastern Orient Express is also several times a year in Chiang Mai and then drives via Bangkok through Malaysia and ends in Singapore.

Local public transport is dominated by tuk-tuks and songtaews. There are meter taxis and there is a (very irregular) bus service. There are two bus terminals - most buses leave from the new or Arcade bus terminal (10 Baht from the center with songthiaw) - others drive from the Chang Pheuak terminal (songthiaw from the center is 25 baht).

Chang Mai - Mae Hong Son: night buses depart from the Arcade (or new) bus terminal and last approximately 7 or 8 hours. Prices vary and departure-times too. It depends on whether you travel via Pai or via Mae Sariang. And then of course what kind of bus you choose. I have heard about prices between 100 and 250 Baht.

Chang Mai - Bangkok: countless (night) buses travel 10 to 11 hours between Chang Mai and Bangkok (arriving at the northern or northeast terminal in Bangkok). Prices and quality vary greatly so check. Departure from Arcade terminal.