CHIANG MAI
THAILAND
Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields
As the travel hub for northern Thailand, the city of Chiang Mai and the province that shares its name (population 1.6 million) blend ancient culture and natural wonders to create a character that's unique to a region once known as the Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields, or "Lanna" in Thai.
KEY FACTS
CURRENCY : THB
LOCAL CUISINE : CHINESE, MALAY, INDIAN
SPECIALITIES : LOCAL DELICACIES
PEAK HOURS : 12p.m.
COMMUNICATION MEDIUM : THAI
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Features
Chiang Mai, from Thai: เชียงใหม่, sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai" is the largest city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province and was a former capital of the kingdom of Lan Na (1296–1768), which later became the Kingdom of Chiang Mai, a tributary state of Siam from 1774 to 1899, and finally the seat of princely rulers until 1939. It is 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok near the highest mountains in the country. The city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River.
City of the Nine referring the ancient nine Ping, the former capital founded in 1262. Its ceremonial full name is Nopburi Si-Nakhonping Chiangmai (นพบุรีศรีนครพิงค์เชียงใหม่) which means Chiangmai, Chiang RaiChiang Mai means "New City" and was so named because it became the new capital of Lan Na when it was founded in 1296, succeeding Lannese tribes in this area.
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra Singh is perhaps the second most venerated temple in Chiang Mai after Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It houses three main structures, the main attraction being the elegantly decorated Lai Kam assembly hall and its restored murals depicting the lives of locals hundreds of years ago.
Terracotta Garden
Settled in the 1780's by Chinese merchants, Chinatown retains a large ethnic Chinese community who still continue their own traditions and religious ceremonies. Famous for its markets and numerous gold shops, the area caters largely to the local population and contains a number of busy, almost frenetic market areas concentrated around a network of roads, alleys and small streets. Local favourites include Nakom Kasem market and Sampeng Lane, a long, narrow pedestrian lane crammed with masses of goods from hair slides (sold by the dozen) to kitchen utensils.
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chedi Luang's massive chedi (pagoda) was built sometime between 1385 and 1402, during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, 7th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty and is a distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. At its peak, the chedi measured 60 metres across at the square base and 80 metres tall and was once the home of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred religious relic.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Doi Suthep is a constant part of life in Chiang Mai. A Thai saying goes, "If you haven't tasted Khao Soi or seen the view from Doi Suthep, you haven't been to Chiang Mai." This regal mountain overlooks the city from the northwest, providing commanding views from its summit. Aside from its dominating presence on the horizon, Doi Suthep is the home of some of the most deeply loved symbols in the Kingdom.
Kiyora Spa
Achieve absolute relaxation with one of Kiyora’s most heavenly treatments. This blissful therapy combines the proven benefits of massage with specially mixed aromatherapy blends to relieve stress, improve circulation and detoxify the body. Relax. Revive. Renew. This is what this massage is all about!
Khao Soi Mae Sai
Spicy, salty, sour, sweet – nowhere in the world is the hypnotic taste of a perfectly balanced Four S’s more important than in Thailand. Not long off the plane and excited to be in Chiang Mai again, we decided to sample a dish that showcases the flavour equilibrium synonymous with Thai cuisine particularly well: khao soi.
Chiang Dao Cave
Chiang Dao’s famous caves, the area’s trademark tourist attraction, consist of more than 12 kilometres of underground passages and caverns, though much of it is not accessible to tourists.In fact, the caverns are so numerous, and the passages so complex, that visitors are not allowed to enter without a guide—save for a couple of permanently lit areas—because being lost in a massive system of caves beneath Thailand’s third largest mountain could possibly result in you overstaying your visa ... or worse.