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Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty
and unique indigenous cultural identity. Founded by King Mengrai the Great as the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom by merging the various city-states in the region in 1296. Today Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism center of Northern Thailand.
About 700 kilometers from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is situated on the Mae Ping River basin some 310 meters above sea level. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers. The terrain is mainly jungles and mountains, parts of which are within national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills.
Administrative, Chiang Mai is made up of the following districts and sub-districts: Muang Chiang Mai, Chom Thong, Mae Chaem, Chiang Dao, Do Saket, Mae Taeng, Mae Rim, Saraphi, San Sai, San Kamphaeng, Sa Moeng, Phrao, Fang, Mae Ai, Hang Dong, San Pa Tong, Hot, Om Koi, Doi Tao, Wiang Haeng, Chai Prakan, Mae Wang, Mae On and Doi Lo.
City Attractions
Wat Phra Sing
Located on Sam Lan Road, this lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each April 13-15 when people bathe the revered Phra Phutthasihing Buddha 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 bas relief.
Wat Suan Oak
Located on 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 of the white Chedi (pagodas) 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
Located on Ratchaphakkhinai 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 Kaeo Khao.
Wat Ku Tao
This temple is near the Chiang Mai Stadium. It 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.
Wat Chedi Luang
Located on Phra Pokklao 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. One of the temple’s most striking architectural features is a magnificent Naga (mythical serpent) staircase adorns the chapel’s front porch.
Wat Chet Yot
Located on Super Highway, north of the Huai Kaeo 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
Located on Suthep Road in a bucolic forest setting, this delightful meditation temple is completely different from Chiang Mai’s other major temples. It was built in 1296. The ancient Chedi is of particular interest.
Chiang Mai National Museum
This is located beside Wat Chet Yot. The museum houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art, ancient Buddha images, and war weapons. It is open daily, except Mondays, Tuesdays and official holidays, from 9.00 a.m. until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00 p.m.
