To Koh Lanta

Experiencing the merging of the past into the gift in Chiang Mai where locals are proud of the city’s 700-year history. Its rich customary inheritance and unique culture is a exquisite foundation for the improvement of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to contemporary convenience stores and boutique hotels. The customary city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town.

For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction and the base from which they can scrutinize other provinces. The phrase “a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around” was common.

Getting To Sukhothai

Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is all the time something new to scrutinize Chiang Mai. Interesting diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking landscape makes Chiang Maione of Asia’s most Interesting tourist destinations. Two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.

The old city of Chiang Mai with its Interesting indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects,cuisine, architecture, customary values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the proximity of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures heighten Chiang Mai’s distinctive diversity.

Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality manufacture visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can gather handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as always in vogue souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy

themselves to the fullest.

The Past

Chiang Mai genuinely means new city and has retained the name despite having notable its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same duration of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

King Meng Rai the Great conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded.

From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and founded many of the city’s temples, which are still important today.

At the height of its power, the Lanna Kingdom extended its territory far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet a province above Sukhothai.

The Burmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. As Burma had occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences are descriptive in many temples. At the end of the 18th century, King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and ultimately drove the Burmese out with the help of King Kawila of Lampang thereby regaining Thai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate under the Chakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939 that Chiang Mai ultimately came under the direct operate of the central government in Bangkok the same time the country was renamed Thailand.

In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. More suitable access was achieved only when the railway line was completed in the late 1920′s. Moreover, the first motor vehicle driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such isolation was more suitable to Chiang Mai as it helped to bring up and reserve the unique Lanna culture.

When we look at Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural and communications hub of northern Thailand perfect with exquisite infrastructure, good roads, by passes and road tunnels, and reliable communications infrastructure.

The Setting

Chiang Mai, with an altitude of roughly 310 meters above sea level, is situated roughly 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of roughly 20,107 square kilometers and is the country’s second largest province. Chiang Mai borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west. The terrain is in general comprised of jungles and mountains, which are home to the hill tribes. In addition, wildlife and exotic flora may be found in the national parks.

Most of Chiang Mai’s mountains are oriented from north to south. Together they originate a multitude of streams and tributaries together with Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang. One of Chiang Mai’s distinctive features is Doi

Inthanon, Thailands top peak, which is 2,575 meters above sea level. In addition, the province boasts flat, fertile valleys, which spread along the banks of the largest and most important river in Chiang Mai Mae Nam Ping (Ping River) which originates from the Chiang Dao mountain range.

Chiangmai general facts

Thanks To : Airline Ticket Thailand เกาะกูด