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CHIANG
MAI - THAILAND
Chiang Mai, also sometimes referred to as "Chiengmai", is the second-largest
city in Thailand, and the largest and most culturally significant city in
northern Thailand. It lies some 800km north of Bangkok, among some of the
highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major
tributary of the Chao Phraya river. Chiang Mai also serves as the capital of
the Chiang Mai province.
Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city, although it lacks the
cosmopolitan gloss of Bangkok. It has many attractions for the thousands of
foreign visitors who come to the city each year. Chiang Mai's historic
strength derived from its important strategic location on the ancient Silk
Road, and long before the recent influx of foreign visitors the city served
as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewellery (particularly
silver) and woodcarving.
Chiang Mai's population is estimated at about
250,000. Much higher figures sometimes appear, but these may arise from
confusion with Chiang Mai Province. The city is nevertheless growing rapidly,
and its actual population probably exceeds the official estimate.
History
King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296 and it succeeded Chiang
Rai as capital of the Lannathai kingdom. Lannathai constructed a moat and a
wall around the city to protect it against raids from Burma. After the
decline of the Lannathai kingdom the city lost importance, and often
sufferred occupation by either the Burmese or by the Thais from Ayutthaya.
After the fall of Ayutthaya in April 1767 the city emerged so much
depopulated due to the wars that its citizens deserted it for fifteen years
(1776 - 1791). Lampang functioned as the capital of the Lannathai for that
time.
Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam only in 1774 when King Taksin
captured the city from the Burmese. After this date Chiang Mai rose in both
cultural, trading and economic terms to gradually adopt its current status
as the capital of the north of Thailand, second only in national importance
to Bangkok.
Religious sites
Chiang Mai has over 300 Buddhist temples (called "wats" in Thai). These
include:
Doi Suthep: the most famous temple in the area, standing on a hill to the
north-west of the city. This temple dates from 1383. Its builders allegedly
chose its site by placing a relic of the Lord Buddha on an elephant's back
and letting the elephant roam until it came across a place where it
trumpeted and circled before lying down. The onlookers took this as marking
an auspicious place in which to build the temple. The temple's location also
affords superb views over the city on a clear day.
Wat Chiang Man: the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. King Mengrai lived here
while overseeing the construction of the city. This temple houses two very
important and venerated Buddha images - Phra Sila (a marble Buddha) and Phra
Satang Man (a crystal Buddha).
Wat Phra Singh: located within the city walls, dates from 1345 and offers an
example of classic northern Thai style architecture. It houses the Phra
Singh Buddha, a highly venerated image, transferred here many years ago from
Chiang Rai.
Wat Chedi Luang: founded in 1401 and dominated by the large Lanna style
chedi which dates from the same time, but took many years to finish building.
An earthquake damaged the chedi in the 16th century, so now only two thirds
of it remain.
Wat Ched Yot: located on the outskirts of the city, this temple, built in
1455, hosted the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1977.
Vieng Kum Kham: situated on the southern outskirts of the city, this temple
is a site of historical importance. The remains of the ancient temple offer
evidence of the earliest settlement in the vicinity of Chiang Mai.
Culture
Chiang Mai hosts many Thai festivals, including:
Loi Kratong: Held on a full-moon night in November. Every year hundreds of
people assemble floating banana-leaf containers (krathong) decorated with
flowers and candles onto the waterways of the city to worship the Goddess of
Water. Lanna-style hot-air lanterns are also launched into the air. These
are believed to help rid the locals of troubles and are also taken to
decorate houses and streets.
Songkran: Held in mid April to celebrate the traditional Thai new year.
Chiang Mai has become one of the most popular locations to visit for this
festival. A variety of religious and fun-related activities (notably the
good-natured city wide water-fight) take place each year, along with parades
and a Miss Songkran beauty competition.
Flower Festival: A three-day festival held during the first weekend in
February each year, this event occurs during the period when Chiang Mai's
temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom. The festivities include
floral floats, parades, traditional dancing shows and a beauty contest.
Chiang Mai has three universities -- Chiang Mai University, Payap University
and Maejo University -- as well as numerous technical and teacher colleges.
Chiang Mai is a regional centre for a number of activities, including:
Hill-tribe tourism and trekking: A large number of different tour companies
offer organised treks among the local hills and forests on foot and on
elephant back. Most also involve visits to the various local hill tribes.
These include representatives from the Akha, Hmong, Karen, and Lisu tribes.
Other outdoor activities: The varied local terrain also offers opportunities
for mountain biking, elephant riding, bamboo rafting and kayaking. The area
also has several golf courses. Nearby is Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain
in Thailand, and the national park that includes it features many hiking
trails.
Shopping: Chiang Mai has a large and famous nightly bazaar for arts,
handicrafts and counterfeit products of all descriptions, and a number of
large, well-appointed modern shopping centres.
Thai massage: The back streets and main thoroughfares of Chiang Mai have a
variety of massage parlours which offer anything from quick, simple, face
and foot massages, to month-long courses in the art of Thai massage.
Local museums: These include the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre,
the Hill Tribe Museum and the Chiang Mai National Museum.
Transport
Bus, train and air connections serve Chiang Mai well. A number of bus
stations link the city to Central and Southern Thailand, The Central Chiang
Pheuak terminal provides local services to other locations within Chiang Mai
province. Services from the Chiang Mai Arcade terminal, north-east of the
city, run several times a day to Bangkok (a 10 to 12 hour journey). This
terminal also provides services to over 20 other destinations around
Thailand.
The state railway operates at least two trains a day to Chiang Mai from
Bangkok. Most journeys run overnight and take approximately 12 to 15 hours.
Most trains offer a first-class (private cabins), and a second-class (seats
fold out to make sleeping berths) service.
Chiang Mai International Airport receives up to seven flights a day from
Bangkok, and also serves as a local hub for services to other Northern
cities such as Chiang Rai, Phrae and Mae Hong Son. International services
also connect Chiang Mai with other regional centres, including Xian (China),
Kunming (China), Singapore, Hong Kong, Yangôn (Myanmar) and Kuala Lumpur
(Malaysia).
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