Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai City, Thailand
Chiang Mai is the second largest city of Thailand, Located on a plain at an elevation of 316 m, surrounded by mountains and lush
countryside of Northern Thailand, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant
expat population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North".
Population
Chiang Mai province has a population of around 1,640,479 in 2010, with 170,348 currently living in Chiang Mai's city area.
How to get to the city
Chiang Mai International Airport receives up to 28 flights a day from Bangkok (flight time about 1 hour 10 minutes), By Bus from
Chiang Mai Arcade terminal to Bangkok (a 10-12 hour journey), By train the state railway operates 14 trains a day to Chiang Mai
Station from Bangkok. Most journeys run overnight and take approximately 12-15 hours. Most trains offer first-class (private
cabins) and a second-class.
The weather
Cool Season: (late October to end of February). Average temperature 21 C. and much cooler at night. The coolest months are
December and January.
Hot Season: (early March to end of May) Average temperature 29.9 C. The hottest month is April
Rainy Season: (early June to end of October). Average temperature 25.5 C. The wettest month is September.
Lifestyle
The city is famous for her friendly people, beautiful women, refined handicrafts, cool climate and stunning mountain scenery.
More than three-hundred temples, among them some of the most beautiful and revered in the entire Buddhist world, give the
city an atmosphere of calmness and timeless elegance.
Chiang Mai has a distinct international atmosphere with many foreign businesses and organizations (NGOs) locating in the city
over the past decade due to her excellent infrastructure with international direct flight connections to all countries in the region
including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia and Taiwan.
The quality of living is unsurpassed. Accommodation and food are of the highest standard at very low cost. Entertainment is
plentiful with numerous festivals, outdoor activities and great nightlife.
Your guide to Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most famous Temple in the area, standing near the top of Mount Suthep to the north-west of
the city. This Temple was built around 1383. King Keuna of Chiang Mai selected a white elephant to carry a holy relic of the Lord
Buddha to what would be its resting place.
San Kamphaeng Road or "the handicraft highway" is a good stretch of road heading South-East from Chiang Mai for about 10km
to the village of San Kamphaeng. All along San Kamphaeng Road you will find pottery, stoneware, silverware, lacquerware,
paperware, sculptures, jewellery, wood carvings and silk products
Doi Inthanon is a famous mountain to visit from Chiang Mai, which is the highest mountain of Thailand with its summit at 2565
meter above sea level. Doi Inthanon is located at about 90 kilometers from Chiang Mai and the best way to go their is with an
organized tour or with a rented car.
The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek was a flower festival held from November 2006 to January 2007 during which period it received
over 3 million visitors. The garden still exists and is open to visitors. It is located on 80 hectares of land, about 10 km south of
Chiang Mai, near the Night Safari. Attractions within the garden include the Ho Kham Royal Pavilion, which is a beautiful Lanna
style building.
The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is one of the most famous shopping areas in Thailand, not only for foreign tourists but also for the
many Thai who choose Chiang Mai as a holiday destination. Hotels and guest houses near the Night Bazaar are for that reason
the most popular in town. Especially those looking for souvenirs spend some time here looking for handicrafts, silk products,
antiques, watches and t-shirts.
Map of Chiang Mai
Things to do
Muay Thai Boxing - Clubs - Lanna Muay Thai & Muay Thai Sangha - regular Friday night matches at the Kawila Boxing Stadium
Elephant Farms - Numerous elephant camps have been established to help protect the numerous elephants in the area. The camps
put on elephant shows and activities for tourists where the elephants display their various skills
Thai Farm Cooking School course includes pick up and return to your hotel, shopping in a local market on the way for some
ingredients, tour of farm, learning about and collecting fresh ingredients, hands on learning how to cook 6 different Thai meals and
then sampling your efforts
Maesa elephant camp is a popular place for tourists, especially for children. Visit the elephant nursery or enjoy the show where
elephants and their mahouts show how they can work together, for example when moving tree logs.
What's on
Chiang Mai celebrates many annual festivals. Three are particularly lively and lovely. These are: the "Flower Carnival, the first
Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every February; "Songkran", 13-15 April each year; and "Yi Peng" on the full moon day of the twelfth
lunar month(generally mid-November).
The Flower festival celebrates the period when Chiang Mai's temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom and is characterised
by colorful floral floats and parades.It is held every first weekend of February. The north is noted for its rich variety of flowering
plants, particularly temperate-zone specimens which are at their best during this cool month. Spectacular floral floats are a
memorable feature of this annual event held in Chiang Mai There are displays of flowers, handicraft sales, and beauty contests.
Songkran festival celebrates the traditional Thai New Year. Chiang Mai celebrates Songkran with special elation in a 3-day carousal
of religious merit-making, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited, good-natured water throwing. It is held during April
13-15. Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated all over the country but nowhere with more enthusiasm than in Chiang
Mai. Part of the celebration is religious, marked by merit-making ceremonies at local temples and part is pure pleasure, with good
natured water throwing, parades, and beauty contests.
Yi Peng Loi Krathong is Thailand's loveliest festival. Under the full moon, on lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and klongs, people float
banana-leafboats bearing lighted candles, incense, flowers and small coins to honor water spirits and float away the past year's
sins. It is held every November. In Chiang Mai, an unusual part of the Loi Krathong celebration is the Yi Peng Loi Festival or the ritual
of the lighted balloon. After a day of merit-making, people launch colorful hot air paper balloons into the sky, carrying their troubles
away. In the evening, all homes and shops are decorated with beautiful lanterns. Later, traditional Krathongs are also floated on the
river and other waterways.
