Chiang Mai is Thailand's principal northern city. Chiang
Mai is the provincial capital of a
largely mountainous province, also called Chiang Mai, which is some 20,000 square
kilometres in area. Chiang Mai city is 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, was founded
in 1296, and is located in a fertile valley some 300 metres above sea level. Chiang
Mai was the capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of One Million Rice fields), the first
independent Thai kingdom within the fabled Golden Triangle. Chiang Mai flourished
as a major religious, cultural and trading centre until 1556 when a Burmese invasion
reduced it to a vassal state. The Burmese were expelled in 1785, where upon Lanna
Thai once
again
became part of northern Thailand. Many lowland Thais regard Chiang Mai city and
province as being something of a national Shangri-la, thanks to its beautiful women,
distinctive festivals, historic temples dating from the 1300s, arresting scenic
beauty, temperate fruits such as apples peaches and strawberries, and a crisp, invigorating
cool season climate.
Local Culture
The people of Chiang Mai enjoy one of the most distinctive cultural
identities in the whole of Thailand. Largely farmers and artisans, they have their
own lilting dialect, their own customs, their own
festivals,
their own architectural traditions, their own indigenous handicrafts, their own
dances and their own distinctive cuisine. Hill tribes also lend a great deal of
character and colour to the crisply beautiful mountainous landscape.
Historical sites & Museums
Wat Phra Singh, Sam Lan Road
This
lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities
each April 3-15 when people bathe the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image. The
temple compound includes the lovely Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarvings
and northern-style murals, and a magnificent scriptural repository with striking
has relief.
Wat Suan Dok, Suthep Road
This
temple was built in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch's pleasure gardens and is
a favourite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunsets. Several the
white chedis contain ashes of Chiang Mai's former royal family. The 500-year-old
bronze Buddha image in a secondary chapel is one of Thailand's largest metal images.
Wat Chiang Man, Ratchaphakkinai Road
This is Chiang Mai's oldest temple and probably dates from
1296. The temple was the residence of King Mengrai,
who
founded Chiang Mai, and is noteworthy for a Chedi supported
by rows of elephantine buttresses, and a small ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeow
Khaow.
Wat Chedi Luang, Phrapokklao Road
This temple is the site of an enormous pagoda, originally
280 feet high, and which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. At one
time, Wat Chedi Luang housed the revered Emerald Buddha image now enshrined in Bangkok's
Wat Phra Kaeo. A magnificent Naga staircase adorns the chapel's front porch.
Wat Chet Yot Super Highway, north of
the
Huai Kaew-Nimmanhemin Roads intersection
This temple dates from 1458. The seven-spired square chedi
was inspired by designs at Bodhagaya, the site of the Buddha's Enlightenment in
north India over 2,500 years ago, and was built by Lanna Thai architects after visiting
the holy site.
Wat U-Mong, Suthep Road
This delightful meditation temple is completely different
from Chiang Mai's other major temples and enjoys a bucolic forest setting. The ancient
chedi is of particular interest.
Wat Ku Tao, near Chiang Mai Stadium
This
temple is noteworthy for an unusual bulbous pagoda. The structure is decorated with
colourful porcelain chips and is believed to represent five Buddhist monks' alms
bowls which symbolise five Lord Buddha's.
Chiang Mai National Museum Beside Wat
Chet Yot
The museum houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art,
ancient Buddha images, and war weapons. The museum opens daily, except Mondays,
Tuesdays and official holidays, from 9.00 AM until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00 PM.
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