Chiangmai is Thailand's principal northern city which is also a largely mountainous province covered about 20,000 square kilo-meters in area. Chiangmai city is 700 kilometers north of Bangkok, was founded in 1296, and is located in a fertile valley some 300 meters above sea level. In the old day, Chiangmai was the capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of One Million Ricefields), the first independent Thai kingdom within the fabled Golden Triangle.

Although readily accessible, the city popularly known as the "Rose of the North" presents a superb contrast. Whereas Bangkok is a mere 200 years old, Chiangmai was founded in the late 13th century and is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in Thailand. It was once the capital of Lanna, an independent Thai kingdom, and has preserved its unique cultural heritage to a marked degree. Accordingly it is a veritable treasure house of the arts and architecture unique to the region.

Within the city's original perimeter, still marked by moat and fortified gates, are numerous ancient Buddhist temples and other monuments attesting to a distinguished past. Close by are more magnificent attractions, including Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, and Phu-Ping Palace, the summer residence of the Royal Family.

Largely local people earned their lives as farmers, artisans and other local handicraft producers with proudly of their own lilting dialect, customs, festivals, architectural traditions, indigenous handicrafts, dances and distinctive cuisine. Hilltribes also lend a great deal of character and color to the crisply beautiful mountainous landscape.

Natural Beauty

Mountains
Northern Thailand is characterized largely by forested mountains, where working elephants are still used in forest management. This mountainous region is home to Thailand's many colorful hilltribe people, and trekking and river rafting enable adventurous exploration of this beautiful area. Chiangmai is the principal norhtern city and is a good base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.

Borichinda Cave
Visiting the cave, which provides a pleasant setting for picnics, entails a 10-minute drive and a walk of some 2 hours from the Mae Klang Waterfall.

Doi Inthanon National Park
The 1,005 - square - kilometre park covers Thailand's highest mountain (2,565 metres). The lovely Wachirathan, Siriphum and Mae Pan waterfalls share the mountain with Meo and Karen hilltribe settlements. Forest above 1,800 metres is covered with lichens and wild orchids.

Mae Ya Waterfall
This is located 12 kilometres from Chom Thong market and is best visited by local mini-bus.

Ob Luang Gorge
This picturesque gorge is 88 kilometres from Chiangmai provincial capital, and is framed by teak forests and mountains.

National Parks
Increasing numbers of visitors now come to Chiangmai in search of the natural environment preserved a famous national parks. Famous national park in Chiangmai is Doi - Inthanon,the highest mountain in Thailand. In most cases, you will find easy access and bungalow accommodation for overnight stays.

City Attractions

Wat Phra Singh Sam Lan Road
This lovely temple dates from 1345 and is one of the focal points of Songkran festivities each April 3-15 when people bathe the revered Phra Buddha Sihing 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 has relief.

Wat Suan Dok Suthep Road
This temple was built in a 14th century Lanna Thai monarch's pleasure gardens and is a favorite spot for photographers, particularly for striking sunsets. Several the white chedis contain ashes of Chiangmai '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 Ratchaphakkinai Road
This is Chiangmai's oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was the residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiangmai , and is noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses, and a small ancient Buddha image, Phra Kaeow Khaow.

Wat Chedi Luang Phrapokklao 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. A magnificent Naga staircase adorns the chapel's front porch.

Wat Chet Yot
Super Highway, north of the Huai Kaew-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 Suthep Road
This delightful meditation temple is completely different from Chiangmai 's other major temples and enjoys a bu-colic forest setting. The ancient chedi is of particular interest.

Wat Ku Tao near Chiangmai Stadium
This temple 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 Buddhas.

Chiangmai National Museum Beside Wat Chet Yot
The museum houses a collection of Lanna Thai works of art, ancient Buddha images, and war weapons. The museum opens daily, except Mondays, Tuesdays and official holidays, from 9.00 AM until noon, and 1.00 until 4.00 PM.

Light Adventure

Trekking Tours
Meo, Lisu, Yao, Akha, Lawa and Karen hilltribes live throughout northern Thailand's mountains. They share animist beliefs and honour numerous forest and guardian spirits. Each tribe has distinctive ceremonial attire, courtship rituals, games, dances, agricultural customs, puberty rites, languages or dialects, aesthetic values and hygienic habits.
Popular 'Jungle Treks', lasting from 2 to 7 days, take visitors through forested mountains and high valleys and meadows, and include visits to remoter high-altitude hilltribe settlements for overnight stays. The best guides are hilltribe youths who customarily speak English, Thai and at least three tribal dialects.
Treks commonly feature travel by foot, sometimes by boat, elephant-back, horse-back or jeep, frequently a combination of two or three modes of transportation.

Prospective trekkers are advised to shop around companies offering such tours for the best conditions. All treks must be registered with the Tourist Police. This is done for trekkers' protection. Avoid companies that do not abide by this law. Visitors are welcome to enquire from the Tourism Police to confirm which tour companies have negative or bad reputations. Also, avoid narcotics, essentially everything from 'soft drugs' such as marijuana to 'hard drugs' such as opium and heroin, both during travel and at hilltribe villages. There are severe penalties for such usage. Valuables, such as passport, jewelry and money, should be deposited in the safe of your hotel or guest house while you are trekking upcountry

Four-Wheel Drive Safaris
This popular new activity features exciting trips by Land Rover between Chiangmai and Mae Hong Son, taking five days and four nights, or Chiang Rai and Ken Thun in Myanmar, taking three days and two nights. Much of the journey is along dirt roads and tracks so that visitors can witness out-of-the-way areas. Accommodation is in forest lodges or basic hotels.
Each morning, at Km 10 on the Mae Rim-Samoeng route, trained elephants demonstrate their formidable and highly-valued forestry skills from 9.30 until 11.00 AM, at the Mae Sa Elephant Training Center The centre is some 30 kilometers from town. Admission is 80 baht per person. A jungle tour on elephant back, lasting more than two hours through adjacent forests, is offered after the show and costs 250 baht per person. Elephants can also be seen at the Pong Yaeng Elephant Center at KM 19 on the same route.

Bird- Watching
Although bird-watching has been a popular activity among Thais for many years, it is only relatively recently that overseas visitors have recognized the potential of this fascinating pastime. In total, almost one thousand different species of birds - some local, others migrating here- have been spotted in Thailand. Most of Thailand's national parks offer good opportunities for bird-watching such as Khao Yai National Park, Kaeng Krachan in Petchburi and Doi-Inthanon National Park in Chiangmai province.

Taeng Dao Elephant Camp
This riverside enclave, at KM 56 on Highway 107, features daily shows of elephants at work, from 9.00 AM until 10.00 AM, and from 10.00 AM until 11.00 AM, and offers elephant rides, and opportunities for bucolic river-rafting through largely pristine and tranquil forests, or jungle treks to neighboring hilltribe settlements.

Chiangmai Winter Fair
Dec 29- Jan 10, noon- late.
Behind the Governor’s office, Irrigation Canal Rd (66-53-219291).

Lanna Winter Fair
Jan8-15:

Phrae Sweet Tamarind & Red Cross Fair
Jan 9-15

Petchabun Bo Sang Umbrella Fair & San Kampheng Handicraft Festival
Jan 15-17 Bo Sang, Chiangmai

Ban Thawai Wood Carving Fair
Demonstrations, contests and sales of wood carvings and local handicraft. The Chiangmai celebration Jan 29-Feb 4 includes local folk performances and a procession highlighting the popular range of Northern Thai wood crafts.

Chiangmai Flower Festival
Feb 5-7 with the main procession on Feb 6. The route from the Governor's house to Suan Buak Haad will be lined with tens of thousands of flowers and plants. Beautiful Lanna ladies will be perched on floats competing with each other in both the beauty of the flowers and the girls. Flower show, horticultural competition and fair selling a wide variety of plants.

Teen Jok Fair
Feb 6-8 Amphoe Mae Jam.
On Feb 6 boat races as well as a large drum competition will open the fair at around 4pm. There'll be an exhibition of antique teen jok materials, hand woven by local guilds of women, plus over 3,000 pieces of teen jok on sale. Demonstrations of weaving and competitions by local villagers added to the enjoyment. Call : ( 66-53-485052 ).

Chiangmai Marathon
Feb 7 Starting at Chinag Mai 700 year Stadium, Promoting health and sport in the city this is the first of its kind. There will also be a half marathon, mini-marathon and walking for health.
Call : ( 66-53-217515 ), e-mail:marathon@chiangmainews.com <mailto:marathon@chiangmainews.com>

Phra That Cho Hae Fair
Feb 25- Mar 1, Wat Phra That Cho Hae, Phrae. Usual provinsional fair attractions, from Li-Khe theatre and beauty contest to food and stalls.

Phra Buddha Chinart Fair
To honour one of Thailand's most sacred Budhha image enshrined at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok. Features assorted entertainment such as folk theatre and ran-wong dancing.

Thai Lue Tribal Legendary Fair
Mar 6-7, Wat Bann Sop Waen School, Phayao.
Contact TAT : ( 66-53-717433, 744674-5 ).

Lanna Arts & Culture Festival
Apr 2-6, The compound of Chiangmai University features demonstrations and exhibitions of local handicrafts, Lanna ancient ceremonies and cultures while the Arts and Culture Hall of the city displays paintings and art works by mostly local artists. Late afternoon to evening, live music and a Lanna long drum competition are held at the Three King Monument. Also, special tours around the city by bikes and boats all day long.
Call: ( 66-53-248 604, 248 607, 252 743 ).

Chiangmai Songkran Festival
Apr 13-15, Tha Pae Gate & citywide. Chaing Mai is the main center of Songkran celebrations .

Mai Kham Bho Procession Festival
Apr 13-15 Amphoe Chom Thong, Chiangmai . Before the Buddha image, the Bo tree was the original icon of Buddhism, and each year in Chom Thong, Chiangmai , the Mai Kham Bho (literally wooden supports for trees in temple courtyards) are employed in meritorious acts designed to bring participants long and happy lives. They are prepared on Apr 13-14, accompanied by cultural performances and then carried in procession to the temples on Apr 15.
Contact TAT : ( 66-53-248 604, 248 607, 241 466 ).

Sao Intakin Ceremony
May 18, Chiangmai , Soa Lak Meuang or the gardian deity post of the city is situated within the compound of Wat Chedi Luang. The ceremony will be held around the post to assure that the annual monsoon will arrive on time.
Call TAT Northern Office: Region 1 ( 66-53-248 604, 248 607, 241 466 ).

Phra That Hariphunchai Bathing Ceremony
May-Jun Lamphun, Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai, one of the grandest and the most important temples of the North, is said to be built by a King of Hariphunchai kingdom hundreds years ago, to enshrine a hair of the Buddha. During this period of the year, after the Thai traditional New Year festival, Buddhists in Lamphun and neibouring provinces come to the temple to attend the bathing rite for old chedis in the temple and receive blessing for the new year.
Call TAT Northern Office: Region 1 ( 66-53-248 604, 248 607, 241 466 ).
May, 16-17, Amphur Mae Jai, Payao, a local lychee fair will be held to celebrate the return of the lychee crops. Local handicraft and goods will also be for sale. All day,
Contact TAT : ( 66-53-71 7433 ).

Respecting Pra Jao Ton Luang,
A temple fair to celebrate the 8th month of the Lanna calendar. Wat Sri Kom Kam, Amphur Muang, Payao. The date is yet to be confirmed.
Contact TAT : ( 66-53-717 433 ).
13 May, Chiangmai agricultural day and the blessing of crops. There will be an exhibition, demonstration as well as sales of local agricultural products. Plants and fish will be given free to local farmers as well as interested parties.
Call : ( 66-53-219 291 ).
11-17 May, Inthakin City Pillar Ceremony at the city four corners, five gates and Three Kings Monument. Merit making, blessing of the Buddha statues and remembrance of history will be held all day for a week.
For further details call : ( 66-53-219 291).

A New Cable Car for Doi Southep
The temple of Doi-Suthep is one of Chiangmai 's most visited landmarks that were until a couple of years ago, when tragedy struck. The cable pulling the small funicular train up the hill from the road to the temple and controlled its descent snapped sending it crashing down the hill resulting in many injuries.

Kantoke Dinner
It is also possible to sample Northen dishes at one of the "Kantoke Dinner" in Chiangmai . At this event, visitors are seated on the floor around a circular tray with Northen dishes on it and eat while watching traditional Thai and Northen dances and hilltribe culture shows. Kantoke Dinner provide a good way to get to know both the Northen food and culture at the.same time.

Khaosoi. First sampled this for Chiangmai 's food.mNoodles in curry gravy with hot, sweet and lemon taste.
Nam Prik Ong.... <nam.htm>Food eaten with vegetables, pork cracklings or deep-fried crunchy rice cakes, this can also be served with plain white rice as a meat dish.
Tel. (053) 222-147, 221-435

Bor Sang and Sankampaeng Area (Highway 1006)
This road serves as the location to the largest amount and the most popular of handicraft factories . and shops in Chiangmai . It begins at the Chiangmai - Sankampaeng intersection and continues to the Sankampaeng district at k.m. 13. It is lined on both sides by showrooms and factories where you have the opportunity to observe the production of crafts, as well as purchase them. Thai silk, cotton, lacquerware, ceramics, leather products, silverware, umbrellas, woodwork, jewelry, and antiques can all be found along this road.
Due to the increased shortage of antiques, artists have turned to creating replicas of old antiques which portray the same beauty and characteristics as the genuine ones. There is no attempt to pass off these neo-antiques as genuine. The famous Bor Sang Village, which sells umbrellas and woodcarvings, is also located on this road.


Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Rd. is probably the largest center for the selling of all sorts of crafts in ChiangMai. A good place to shop if you are pressed for time-the selection is astounding! The Night Bazaar originated as a three story building, and later expanded to be the busy mosaic of department stores, shops, and vendors that it is today.

Markets
Visiting one of Chiangmai 's markets is a good way to observe the local Thai people, as well as get to know them. It is also an excellent place to improve your bargaining skills. Chiangmai markets are one of a kind, and quite unlike anything you would expect to find in your home country. You can find almost anything at these ld style markets which sell everything from spices to fresh meat. There are several of these markets in Chiangmai , including the Ton Lamyai, the Warorot, which is famous for its variety of preserved fruits; the Sanpakoi, and the Chiangmai Gate markets.

Hang Dong Area
This area begins at the Chiangmai - Hang Dong intersection, and continues until the k.m. 15 post marker. This area is best known for its many antique shops. There are also wood carving, lacquerware, ceramic, silver, and bamboo craft stores along this route. In addition, on k.m. 15 of this road, lies Tawai Village, which is famous for its woodwork. It is a good place to observe carvings and neo-antiques being made, as well as being sold at cheap, wholesale prices.

Wualai Road
This road is famous for being home to generations of silversmiths. It is here that much silverware is produced and sent to shops all over the city to be sold. If you are in search of high quality, Chiangmai style silverware with expert workmanship, then this is the place to visit. In addition to silver, there is also lacquerware, antiques, ceramics, and silk available on this road.

Villages
As for those who desire to observe crafts being made in their traditional surroundings, the different craft villages are a good place to visit. Apart from the umbrella villageof BorSang, and the Tawai woodcarving village, there is also the rattan and wickerwork of HongDong, the ceramic village of Muangkung, and the cotton village of Nong Aab Chang and Baan Rai Pai Ngam which specializes in natural dyes. These village also give the opportunity for a good bargain.

Hilltribe Products
These include silver ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, pendants, hairpins and pipes of intricate design, and embroidered items including tunics, jackets, purses, bags, caps and dress lengths.
Gold Plated Orchids & Butterflies Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated
with 24-carat gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.
Pottery Chiangmai is the major centre of Thailand's pottery industry. Prized items include high-fired celadon which is produced in many forms, including dinner sets, lamp bases and decorative items.

By Air; Thai Airways International Call 280-070-90 in Bangkok or visit to
The Bangkok Airways Call 229-3456-63 in Bangkok or visit to
By Rail;There are several direct train services to Chiangmai. Travelers by train must get off at Chiangmai railway station in Chiangmai. More information is available from the Travel Service Unit of The State Railways of Thailand Tel. 223-7010, 223-7020, Chiangmai Tel. (053) 242-094
By Bus;There are buses & air-conditioned buses every day from Bangkok to Chiangmai. For Information contact The Northern & Northeastern Bus Terminal, Kamphangphet 2 Rd., Tel. 936-3660 . And Chiangmai (053) 242-664

By Car;From Bangkok use The High Way No. 1 (Phaholyothin Rd.) then on to The High Way No. 32 (Sai Asia) pass Ayuthaya, Ang-thong, Nakhonsawan, and then go to The High Way No. 117 through Pitsanulok and on to The High Way No. 11 pass Lampang, Lampoon then will reach to Chiangmai at the end.

Bangkok occupies a total area of 1,568 square kilometres. It is situated on a flat alluvial plain divided by the Chao Phraya River. Composed of about 50 districts (Khets), it is home to one-tenth of the country's population. For the new millennuim, Bangkok is being promoted as the City of Culture under the project of Bangkok 2000 originated by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The objectives of this project are to attract a larger number of tourists to Thailand, to offer new opportunities for people in Bangkok and all over the country to seek additional income and to preserve its cultural heritages for future generations.