Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the first stop for most travelers to Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is the heart of the old kingdom Lanna that flourished between 1250 and 1860. You will find here along the shores of the Ping River and in the old town sumptuous religious constructions, cultural centers with dance and music demonstrations, special kinds of food and festivals.

Chiang Mai is hidden in a luxuriant valley surrounded by rivers and wooded hills. Due to the fact that it is at a higher altitude than Bangkok and the Southern cities, Chiang Mai has a drier and colder climate, which is like a breath of fresh air for tourists that want to escape the overwhelming heat that the rest of the country is dominated by. But even though the climate is an ace up its sleeve, the inhabitants of Chang Mai are the ones that transform the city into a pleasant and lovely destination – which is a true fact for the entire Northern Thailand. The cultural pride and the welcoming nature are often attributed to the association between the city and the independent kingdom Lanna. Chiang Mai was officially founded in 1292 by Mengrai, a prince from Chiang Rai. During his five decades reign, Mangrai built a spectacular royal city with Buddhist palaces and temples. He left behind a kingdom that continued to reign over most of Northern Thailand for the following two centuries. The reign of the king Tilok was the next important step in the history of Lanna kingdom, starting the golden age of arts, crafts and Buddhism. Chiang Mai suffered for years in a row because of the wars with the nearby state Burma, which occupied the region between 1556 and 1774. Finally, Lanna was swallowed up by the flourishing kingdom in Bangkok. The following kings of Thailand recognized the historical roots of Lanna kingdom, resurging the hereditary line of rulers, and the largest part of Northern Thailand – including Chiang Mai – remained a semi-independent state until 1939.

Chiang Mai is a successful tourist attraction and it is suitable especially if you want your holiday to have a more relaxed sightseeing pace. You will feel like in a live museum of temples, palaces, ancient pagodas, antique houses, and a charming old town with amazing cultural sites.

The old city is a statement to its history and like a portrait of ancient Siam, with its ancient temples dating back to the founding in the 13th century. Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chiang Man are the most important of these temples. The relics and ruins, the gates and the corner bastions of the pretty moat will surely impress you and make you feel like you’re somehow part of its history.

However, there are also contemporary attractions besides the cultural and historic ones. You can escape in the beautiful environment and waterfalls of Doi Suithep/Pui National Park or admire the Wat Phra That Doi Suithep, which is like the spiritual guardian of the city. And then there is the Mae Sa Valley, which has a botanical garden, elephant camps, animals shows, adventure trips, and much more.