Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai hub Northern Thailand. With population 170,000 y proper ( 1 million metropolitan ), Thailand's fifth-biggest y. Located plain elevation 316 , surrounded y mountains countryside, greener quieter capital, cosmopolitan significant expat population, factors which y Bangkok settle permanently "Rose North".

Understand

Founded 1296 AD, Chiang Mai culturally historically interesting city, capital y ancient Lanna kingdom. Located among rolling foothills Himalayan Mountains 700 north Bangkok, could y reveryed y arduous river journey elephant p until 1920s. This isolation helped preserve Chiang Mai's distinctive charm intact y.

Chiang Mai's historical centre walled y (City chiang northern Thai dialect while 'mai' , hence Chiang Mai - "New City"). Sections dating their restoration hundred years g remain gates corners, y remains.

Inside Chiang Mai's remaining y walls 30 temples dating founding principality, combination Burmese, Sri Lankan Lanna Thai styles, decorated beautiful carvings, Nag staircases, leonine angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas pagodas laced g filigree. The one and only known Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which overlooks y mountainside 13 y.

Modern-y Chiang Mai expanded directions, particularly towards Ping River (Mae Nam Ping), where Thanon Chang Klan, known Night Bazaar Chiang Mai's hotels guesthouses located.Loi Kroh Rd center city's nightlife . The one and only locals y you've experienced Chiang Mai until you've Doi Suthep, eaten , purchased umbrella Bo Sang. Of course touristic nonsense, Kao Soi, Bo Sang umbrellas Doi Suthep important cultural icons Chiang Mai residents. Ratchadamneon Rd hosts Sunday night walking street market Thapae Gate popular Wat Phra Singh.

Museums



Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center - This fully modernised multimedia history cultural education centre y centre y Prapokklao Road between Rajdumnern Road Rajwithee Road. If travelling y - songthaew, ' easiest "Three Kings Monument" (Saam Kasat); ' large, elegant white building j behind statue. Guides dressed elegant traditional Thai clothing usher y -conditioned watch English-subtitled orientation video about Chiang Mai north. Next, you'll pointed series rooms documenting region's history culture chronological order p-Muang period (7,000-12,000 years g) early river civilizations, early kings through Burmese dynasty, y today plans future. Other rooms devoted Buddhism other regional beliefs, agricultural history, tribe peoples other regional cultures, - royal dynasties. The one and only exhibits consist smart visual x video, scale models, enlarged photos, murals x Thai English. The one and only museum p 8:30AM-5PM except Mondays. Admission 90 . +66 53-217793



Hilltribe Research Institute Museum - Founded 1965 result proposal y noted anthropologist Prof. W.R. Geddes, doing research hilltribe peoples time, Institute Museum offers exhibits concerning lives cultures hilltribe peoples Thailand: Akha, Lahu, Lisu, Yao, Hmong, Karen, Lua, Khamu, H'tin. Also included -hilltribe ethnic minority, Mlabri, associated y 'spirit yellow leaves'. The one and only Mlabri population dwindled y approximately 180 individuals present. The one and only daily lives various hilltribe peoples illustrated through exhibits photographs, agricultural implements, household utensils, artefacts associated various traditional religions, musical instruments, ethnic costumes. Some exhibits include models dressed complete traditional costumes depicting daily activities, Hmong family having Lisu serenading his sweetheart. The one and only Institute established museum three-story pavilion located attractively landscaped grounds Ratchamangkala Park (Suan Lor Gao) Chotana Road, j fifteen minute drive y center. At present the museum p weekdays 9AM-4PM, slide video available daily 10AM-2PM. Special group tours weekends possible advance notice. For information contact Hilltribe Institute Museum, Chotana Road +66 53-210872 / +66 53-211933

Chiang Mai National Museum (Located along SuperHighway, within walking distance Wat Chet Yot which y usefully visited p) Offers insight history Chiangmai. Tel. (053) 221308 09.00PM - 04.00PM Wednesday Sunday Closed : Monday, Tuesday National Holidays. Admission Fee:100 Baht

Chiang Mai Numismatic Museum (Treasury Hall), 52 Ratchadamnoen Road, : 053-22 4237/8. M-Sa 9AM-3:30PM.

Chiang Mai University Art Museum, corner Suthep Nimmanhaemin Roads, : 053-944833. Tue-Sun 9AM-5PM (). There exhibitions y undergraduates Fine Arts Department Chiangmai University. These change often standard display y students g standard. Every month there usually least exhibition featuring works artists South East Asia. The one and only museum hosts musical concerts - often - adjoining theatre. Within grounds there traditional Thai massage school which associated university's Department Physical Therapy.

Museum World Insects Natural Wonders, Srimankalajarn Road, Soi 13 ( links Huay Kaew Road Suthep Road - entrance latter Suan Dok Hospital); Tel: 053-211891. one Asia's unusual museums housing butterflies, beetles beyond. daily 9AM-5PM (300 ).p://insectmuseumthailand.multiply.

Postal Museum, Mae Ping Post Office, (1-2 south Wat Phra Singh). Tu-Sa 08:30-16:30 ().

Art Galleries Exhibitions There y galleries exhibitions Chiang Mai, featuring contemporary artwork local Thai Myanmar artists.

Temples

Buddhist temples Chiang Mai mixture architectural styles reflect varied heritage Northern Thailand. Elements Lanna Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan Mon temples another. Intricate woodcarvings protective Nag serpent staircases flamboyance reflects awesome reverence Buddhist religion. Gilded umbrellas, guardian figures tales Ramayana stupas trimmed g filigree combine heighten overall effect.

To date, there 300 temples constructed Chiang Mai outskirts. Visitors should visit revered temples city, built during noble Lanna Thai dynasty. The one and only biggest crowds, ' worth wandering beaten p finding temple circuit. If y short time, contrasting architectural styles, three temples visit : Wat Chet Yot, Wat U-Mong Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep . Wat U-g visited early evening between 5PM 6PM you'll monks chanting their Buddhist prayers. There within temple grounds, hundreds catfish terrapins, where locals gather sunset .

The one and only Thai patrons Chiang Mai's temples pleased visitors interest images traditions Lord Buddha's teveryings. All y temple visitors respect y wearing appropriate attire (g pants , modest p skirts women, shoulders plunging necklines women brassier) monks worshippers offended within sacred temple grounds. Shoes rerelocated before entering temple ( y outer courtyard). Watch follow example locals behave entering p temple housing Buddha image. There problem taking photographs Buddha images polite before taking pictures monks locals.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, . Established 1383, magnificent temple overlooks y 1,073m elevation slopes Doi (Mount) Suthep, which peaks 1,685m. It known large g-plated chedi, visible y g clear y. Although Wat Doi Suthep recently built temples dating Lanna Thai period, symbol Chiang Mai. The one and only selected y sending elephant p mountainside. When reveryed spot, trumpeted, circled three times, knelt - which interpreted g indicating auspicious . Clearly marked songthaews Doi Suthep leave Pratu Chang Phuak, passing Chiang Mai University y. Prices fixed 40 p 30 ; drivers until y sufficient (p 8) passengers before y depart. Most guidebooks advise picking p sawngthaew Th Mani Nopharat, these increased price reasonable 40 ludicrous 500. Don't encourage these charlatans tourist - y further - y going centre regular sawngthaew and change there. The one and only p takes about 30 minutes y. Alternatively, 18 journey y motorcycle bicycle appropriate gearing. The one and only final 12 onwards entirely uphill 60-90 minutes cycling. During July traditional people temple numbers pilgrimage p, which takes around 4-5 hours. Entrance temple Thais 30 foreigners. For those don't climb 300-p steps, there's cable additional 20 (total 50 foreigners).

Wat Phra Singh, centre y intersection Singharaj Rajdamnern Road ( ) probably Chiang Mai's -known temple, housing Phra Singh image, completed between 1385 1400. Of particular historically Wihaan Lai Kham back, featuring Lanna-style temple murals intricate g patterns lacquer behind altar. The one and only large chedi built 1345 y King Pha Yu house remains father King Kam Fu. A typical scripture repository found temple . These repositories designed p protect delicate mulberry paper sheets y monks scribes p records write folklore. The one and only g stucco-covered stone repository protected delicate scriptures rain, floods pests. The one and only walls chapel covered murals illustrating Lanna customs, dress, and scenes daily . The one and only lovely Lai Kam chapel houses revered Phra Singh Buddha image. Sadly, stolen 1922, reproduction .

Wat Chiang Mun, Rajpakinai Road. The one and only oldest Royal temple y. Presumed y Chiang Mai founded (1296), famed Buddha images, which according legend 1800 2500 years . King Mengrai allegedly lived while y Chiang Mai being constructed. Enshrined Wat Chiang Mun y crystal Buddha called Pra Seh-Taang Kamaneeee, which thought power bring . Another image, called Phra Sila Khoa, reflects workmanship Indian craftsmen thousands years g.

Wat Chedi Luang, Prapokklao Road. Located directly Chiang Mai centre, formerly massive pagoda unfortunately destroyed great earthquake 1545. The one and only temple originally constructed 1401 orders King Saeng Muang Ma. In 1454, reigning King Tilo-Garaj enlarged chedi (pronounced jedee) height 86 meters. After earthquake, chedi y ruins until 1991-92, during which reconstructed several million . A magnificent testament Lanna (northern Thai) architecture , impressive first built, Chiang Mai's p tourist attractions. Wat Chedi Luang "Pillar City", totem ancient Thai fertility rites.

Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, Ratchamankha Road ( Heuan Phen). an atmospheric wooden temple y beaten track, quiet gently crumbling absence tourist hordes.

Wat U-Mong, Suthep Road, entrance Chiangmai University. an ancient temple forest j outside Chiang Mai. King Mengrai built temple highly respected forest liked wander countryside, hence isolated location where could y quietly meditate. It unusual tunnel- chambers ground, walls which still original paintings birds animals visible. Proverbs sayings, written Thai English discreet signboards, displayed y trees gardens, adding Temple's mystical ambience. Recently renovated (2007), worth visit.

Elephants

Elephant Nature Park +66 53-818932 . Approximately 60 north Chiang Mai sanctuary rescued distressed elephants. They perform tricks people visiting leave whole understanding these magnificent creatures. Day overnight visits volunteering opportunities booked their website.

Maesa Elephant Camp, 119/9 Tapae Road, Muang District, +66 53-206247 +66 53-206248, . an elephant p hills about hour's drive north y center. It elephant show, which includes elephants playing football painting. You one elephant rides. Not exactly place bring PETA activist, y enjoy performances.

Gardens nature

Bhuping Palace beyond Doi Suthep (22 ). This royal winter palace lavishly landscaped gardens p public daily 08:30-11:30 & 13:00-15:00 Thai royal family residence. 50 for foreigners, 20 locals, 10 children. Dress strictly applied. A g bottom indicate ' closed.

Chiangmai Zoo, Doi Suthep, . Home 7,000 animals wooded natural environment.

Dokmai Garden, . This garden displays 120 different edible fruit plants, 130 different vegetables, total 800 vascular plants. Of these, 500 selected pesentations on aluminium signs informative information (English, Japanese Thai). The one and only plants scientific names. The one and only compact (4 10 acres) surrounded y plantations teak, bananas, longan y dipterocarp savannah. It y Opkhan National Park, between known Doi Inthanon Doi Suthep national parks. The one and only garden hosts natural populations Atlas Golden Birdwing butterfly. The one and only garden collaborates Chiangmai University (mushrooms), Maejo University (), Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden (plants), Tourism Authority Thailand Opkhan National Park.

The one and only Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery is serene place history remembrance. It' Thanon Chiang Mai-Lamphun about 800 north Holiday Inn (formerly Sheraton). It' Ping River southeast y.