Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city and the unofficial 'capital' of the northern region. It lies approximately 700 km by road and 761 km by rail north of Bangkok. With the openings to tourism across the borders in Laos and Burma along with the southern Chinese states, the city has become an important regional transportation hub.

The provincial capital of Chiang Mai is situated 305 metres above sea level, set in a wide valley divided by the River Ping. Its climate is cool and refreshing during the hot season, a welcoming break, especially from the heat and humidity of Bangkok.

Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai Maharat, the city's history is as old as the beginning of the first Thai states. Around the time of the Sukhothai period Mengrai was ruler of his own kingdom - Lan Na Thai. Chiang Rai was its capital, but under the threats of the all-conquering Mongol warlord Kublai Khan, Mengrai was forced to relocate. He sought help and managed to form an alliance with King Ramkamhaeng, the ruler of Sukhothai. The present site was decided on and the city, surrounded by a moat and wall, was built and named Nopphaburi Si Nakhonping, known as Chiang Mai or ‘new city’.

However, just a century later Sukhothai came under the control of Ayutthaya. Relations between the two became strained and this lead to intermittent warfare for the next four hundred years.

Ayutthaya crushed an invasion by Chiang Mai in the 16th century and from the mid 16th to mid 17th century its power started to wane. The Burmese invaded the Lanna kingdom in the early 18th century and fighting continued until 1775 when the Burmese were finally defeated. Exhausted and discouraged by the constant conflicts the inhabitants abandoned the city. The city remained deserted for over twenty years.

After the resurgence of the Thai's, under the leadership of King Taksin, Lanna nobles returned to Chiang Mai and started restoring the city to its former splendour. It was under the control of Taksin but remained a high degree of autonomy. It officially came part of the Thai nation in 1938.

Places of Attraction

Wat Suan Dok
This temple was built in 1383 and is home to a 500 year old, large bronze Buddha image named Phra Chao Kao Tu. The white-washed Chedis in the northwest corner of the compound contain the ashes of the Chiang Mai Royal family.

Wat Phra Singh
This temple dates back to 1345 when it was built by King Pha Yu to contain the ashes of his father, King Pha Kan Fu. Today it is the centre of focus for the Songkran festivities in April. Most notably it is home to Phra Buddha Singh considered Chiang Mai's most important and sacred Buddha image. In the temple ground is Lai Kaem chapel, which is to be admired for its Lanna style woodcarvings and murals.

Wat Chiang Man
The was the first temple to be constructed in Chiang Mai, around 1306. It was formerly the residence of King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. The temple contains two famous Buddha images. The Buddha Sila, a marble bas-relief roughly 20-30 cms high, is said to have been brought from Sri Lanka or India by Sinhalese monks. The Crystal Buddha, or Phra Buddha Setangkhamani is believed to have come from Lopburi about 1800 years ago and stands just 10 cm high.

Wat Chedi Luang
The temple was built at the beginning of the 15th century. The large chedi was extensively enlarged under the directions of King Tiloka in 1475 and 1478. Sadly the 90m tall chedi was damaged by an earthquake in 1545. The highly revered Emerald Buddha, now residing in Wat Prakaew in Bangkok, was housed here for 84 years. The Lak Muang or 'city pillar' is located within the temple compound.

Wat Ku Tao
The chedi was built in 1613 and is distinguishable by the shape of its five chedis which represent the five Buddha Lords, and are said to be of Yunnanese design.

Wat Jed Yot
The temple is situated just off highway 11 in the north west of town, near to the National Museum. The temple was built to commemorate the 2000th year of Buddhism and was based on the designs of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, India. The unusual square based chedi has seven spires, representing the seven weeks Buddha spent in Bodhgaya after achieving enlightenment. The temple holds the ashes of King Tilokaraja who had the temple built in 1455.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
This temple is located in the forested region 15 km to the northwest of town. It is situated at an altitude of over 3,500m and dates back to 1383. Access to the temple involves a long strenuous walk up the Naga-lined staircase with its 290 steps. For the less sturdy, a funicular railcar is in operation.
The temple is regarded as an important religious place to the local people, of which many can be seen taking the longer and more arduous route to the hill-top to worship. The large golden chedi contains a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha and is surrounded by magnificently crafted golden ceremonial ornaments set in an enclosure.

Chiang Mai Zoo
The zoo first opened in 1977 and with the continuous assistance from the Zoological department it has transformed itself into a first rate modern zoo. The zoo has over 500 species of animals, all carefully looked after by the zoo's well trained staff. The addition of an enclosure that houses penguins was opened at the beginning of 1997.

San Kamphaeng
This cotton and silk weaving village is located about 13km east of town. The village is a major source of the cotton and silk produced in Chiang Mai. The locals still use the traditional looms for weaving the fabrics into their distinctive styles and patterns.

Bo Sarng Umbrella Village
This well-known village is located 9 km from town. The silk and cotton umbrellas are crafted by local women, which in turn are fashioned by hand with floral and animal designs. This process has continued in Bo Sarng families for more than 200 years.

Elephant Training Centre (Mae Sa)
The centre is located about 30 km from town, about 10 km along the Mae Rim-Samoeng route. Every morning between 09:00 and 11:00 the trained pachyderms show off their forestry skills which were once so highly valued. Visitors are given the chance to traverse through the jungle on the massive beasts, for about 2 hours, after the show has finished. 
Entrance to the camp is 80 Baht, with the jungle tour 250 Baht per person.

Wiang Khum Khan
The ruins of this former Mon city is located about 5km south of Chiang Mai.The city was established around the 12th and 13th centuries, before being abandoned in the 18th century. Archaeologists have been painstakingly uncovering the past of this site, which covers about 9 sq km and contains the ruins of more than 20 wats.
The most complete of all the ruins is that of  Wat Chang Kham, or as it was known in the Mon language, Wat Kan Thom. The most notable of the ruins is the Wat Chedi Si Liam, a stepped-pyramid which shows the distinct and unique style of Mon architecture.
The most important discovery by archaeologists was an inscribed stone slab, which has cast doubts over the previous assumption that the Thai script was compiled by King Ramkamhaeng.

Chiang Dao Caves
This complex of interconnecting caves that cut into Doi Chang Dao is located 5km west of Route 107, about 70 km north of Chiang Mai, heading towards Tha Ton and Fang.
The caves are believed to stretch for many kilometres into the limestone rock, although only a small part of the complex is possible to explore. They contain many Buddha and hermit images.

Thaton
The scenic town of Thaton is situated in Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai province, close to the border with Myanmar. Thaton lies on the Mae Kok, set in the fertile Fang Valley.
The area offers plenty of trekking and cycling opportunities for visitors to enjoy. The mighty Mae Kok river itself is a great source of adventure for everybody to enjoy: from white water rafting in the rainy season to more leisurely paced drifting during the dry months.
Accommodation at Thaton is not restricted to, but consists mainly of bamboo house-boats. Many of these offer three day river trips along the Mae Kok, visiting hill-tribe villages and hot springs, before arriving in Chiang Rai.

Ban Tawai
At one time the forests of northern Thailand were teeming with hardwood trees, especially teak. This abundance ultimately led to the use of the material in the arts and crafts produced by the populace.
Throughout the centuries the skills of the craftsmen were passed to future generations. The village of Ban Tawai, close to the town of Hang dong, is a well known centre that has specialised in the preservation of the skills of wood carving. The crafted products are now spread around the world with the establishment of export companies in the village.

Mae Rim Orchid Farm
This orchid farm is situated on highway 1096, about 7 km from town. The vast array of the colourful plants, along with information on them, are on display. The change in the environment for the plants has led to the need of the nurseries to be established. Through the careful work of the nurseries, some of the rarer varieties that became almost extinct have been nurtured to continue the line. The technical mastery of the nurseries have also led to new species of hybrid orchids.