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| North
- Chiang Mai |
Founded in 1296
by King Mengrai to be the center of Lanna
(millions of rice fields) Kingdoms, Chiang
Mai is the second largest city of Thailand.
Also named “The Rose of the North”
this city has never been deserted. The specific
way of life based on Buddhism practices has
always been kept from generations. Being the
center of the north, Chiang Mai received influences
from Burma while it was under Burmese rules
and else from many populations nowadays, Chiang
Mai is rich in diversity and culture. The
region is also rich by natural resources,
mulberry tree, Jade stones, pottery clay,
etc. )
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Main Attractions:
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Chiang
Mai old city and city walls |
| On 1296, Thursday April
the 12th at 4.45 am., the year of the
monkey, King Mengrai ordered the establishment
of Chiang Mai city as the capital of
the Lanna Kingdom. 90,000 workers were
employed to built the 1,600 x 1,800
meters long city walls inside of which
were placed the Royal Palace, Temples
and Markets. The newly built capital
was celebrated for 3 days and 3 nights
and received the name of “Nopburi
Sri Nakhorn Ping Chiang Mai” .
Among the most visited places: Wat Chiang
Mun (the oldest temple of Chiang Mai),
Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang. |
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Wat
Phrathat Doi Suthep |
It is believed
that long time ago, in the 14th century,
King Keuna decided to build a temple
for the housing of the sacred relics
of Lord Buddha. A white elephant was
then chosen to decide where to put the
relics. The sacred animal got out of
the city and went in the west direction.
One day, when arriving on a hill, the
elephant stopped his walk and died.
At this place was built a 10 meters
high chedi to cover the hole where the
relics were placed. Since 1386 this
temple is still the most important place
for worship in the North of Thailand.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a first
ranking Royal temple. It is situated
at 15 km west of Chiang Mai and at 1053m
high above the sea level. To access
to this temple, a 11 km road leads to
the temple and a 300 steps stairway
bordered with Nagas finishes the access
to the temple. But for those who cannot
take these steps, there is a cable car
to get righ in the temple.
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Night
Bazaar |
| Right in Downtown,
each night from 5 pm. till midnight,
there is a very abundant night market.
Clothes, souvenirs , copies of brand
name items, etc. are sold by vendors
in great number. Just bargain with them
and get plenty of souvenirs. |
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Elephant
Camp and orchid Farm |
Get a break from biz
and buzz life for the verdant mountains
of Chiang Mai, you can either go to
Mae Sa Valley region or to Chiang Dao
hills. These two places are very quiet
and are the places of many Elephant
camps and orchid Farms. In these camps
you may assist the Elephant show (Demonstration
of Elephant at work in the forest)
and also take a ride on the back of
an elephant.
Many orchids farms display many varieties
and are specialized in crossbreeding. |
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| What
to do: |
| Apart the cultural aspect, Chiang
Mai offers many adventure tours such
as Elephant riding, Bamboo Rafting,
Trekking, off road, Mountain Biking. |
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