Chiang Mai Thailand's Second City
The Rose of the North Chiamg Mai has a 700-year-old Hostory
Aug 21, 2008
Chiang Mai truly is a delightful antidote to its capital city brother. 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 modern convenience stores and boutique hotels.
Ancient Chiang Mai Still Exists
The original 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. Much of the old wall has been sensitively restored. The city remains a low-rise one with very few sky-scrapers or tall buildings, those that are there are outside the city centre itself.
The city occupies a natural basin surrounding by mountains that give this part of Northern Thailand a more moderate climate than the rest of the country.
Chiang Mai has its share of bars and pubs to explore at night and the open-air Simon’s Cabaret provides fabulous entertainment for the whole family. The cabaret combines song and dance showcasing Lanna, Thai and Western influences on the region and Thailand.
Chian Mai Zoo and Pandas
Not to be missed is Chiang Mai Zoo although it is hilly and can be quite a slog, and the regular trolley rides are very welcome on a hot day. While at the zoo you must see the pair of Pandas recently donated by China, they are entrancing even when just slumbering.
Chiang Mai Temples
The city boasts 300 hundred ornately decorated Buddhist temples, the most famous include; Wat Phra Singh with its Sinhalese Buddha, the 700-year-old Wat Chiang Man, visible from many parts of the city are the enormous ruins of Wat Chedi Luang and the teak built Wat Phan Tao. A little way out of town are Wat Jet Yod and Wat Suan Dawk, both over 500 years old and have fascinating histories
Doi Suthep
A trip to the top of Doi Suthep and its temple that looks over the city is a must, the temple is one of Thailand's most revered and the views from the top take in the entire city and valley. The hill is steep in places so it is best to hire a taxi, if the weather is good take some time to visit the many waterfalls on the way to the top. They are refreshing and cooling on a hot day.
Hill Tribes
Chiang Mai is home to many hill tribes and trips to their villages are increasingly popular and give an insight into this unique way of life. Also popular are trips to the excavated old Chiang Mai settlement of Wiang Kum Kham, southwest of the city. These 13th century ruins were only recently re-discovered. The city is also a good launching point for hill treks which include river rafting and elephant riding.
Elephant Reserve
The National Elephant Reserve between Chiang Mai and Lampang is an interesting side visit, there is a twice daily elephant show that demonstrates both the strength and grace of these national beasts. You can also see the work of vets as they tend to the ill and injured animals that are brought to them from the outlaying districts.
Chiang Mai Shopping
Chiang Mai’s night bazaar is enormous and is a bargain hunter’s paradise, packed with local produce, silk and fine cotton clothing, accessories and trinkets this is a shopping experience to be savoured at a leisurely pace. Once done shopping you will find respite in the many bars, pubs and restaurants.
