History of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, which means "new city", was founded by King Mengrai founded in 1296. It succeeded Chiang Rai and became capital of the Lannathai kingdom. The moat and a wall around Chaing Mai were built by the Lannathai for protection against raids from Burma. Chiang Mai lost its importance with the decline of the Lannathai kingdom and was often occupied by Burmese or Thais from Ayutthaya. In 1767, Ayutthaya fell and Chiang Mai was deserted from 1776 - 1791. In 1774, King Taksin captured the city from the Burmese Chiang Mai became part of Siam. Since then, Chiang Mai rose to prominencee as the capital of the northen Thailand and second in importance only to Bangkok.
When to Go
The best weather is in Chiang Mai for tourists is between November to March. This is during the cool monsoon season and temperatures are between 75קF to 89קF (24קC to 32קC). We suggest you avoid the hottest weather in Chaing Mai during April and May. Another good time to visit Chiang Mai is during June, July and August. It's hot, but bearable and prices may be lower at some hotels, restaurants and gift shops.
Religious sites in Chaing Mai
In Chiang Mia, there are over 300 Buddhist temple, called "wats" in Thai. Here are a few important we suggest you visit.
Doi Suthep: the most famous temple in the area. Built in 1383. Excelletnt view of the city. Wat Chiang Man: oldest temple in Chiang Mai. Phra Sila (marble Buddha) and Phra Satang Man (crystal Buddha) are located here.
Wat Phra Singh: built in 1345, classic Thai architecture.
Wiang Kum Kam: known for its grotesque concrete fasting Buddh.
Wat Suan Dok: a 14th century temple; site of important monastic universities.
What to Do
Among the popular places to visit in Chaing Mai are the Chiang Mai Zoo, Doi Inthanon National Park, Dao Cave , Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, the Night Bazaar, Phrathat Doi Suthep. We also recommend taking a cours in Thai Cooking, Thai Dancing in addtion to the local bars, cafe's and nigthlife.
Shopping in Chiang Mai
There are many small shops that sell hand made artifacts, souviners, books, CD's, shoes, hats, and handicrafts. There are also dealers specializing in antiques and Asian art. We suggest you ask you hotel or resort for recommendations on the best place for shopping.
Travel Tips
Pick up a good guide book or two BEFORE you leave on you trip and read it. Make notes of the interesting sites you would like to visit and book tours, hotels and entertainment as soon as possible, even BEFORE you leave. Pay by credit card for most purchases. If you have to cancel, your credit card company will help you arrange refunds on unused services. And most of all relax, keep a sense of humor and enjoy yourself!
Tours in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai attracts thousands of foreign visitors for its natural beauty and handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry and woodcarving. The nearby national park has many hiking trails and the city holds a nightly bazaar for arts, handicrafts and counterfeit products. Wat U-Mong is known for its grotesque concrete fasting Buddha image and hundreds of pithy Buddhist proverbs in English and Thai posted on trees throughout its grounds.
Spend a morning watching ELEPHANTS AT WORK, taking their daily bath, hauling timber in the forest. Tour HANDICRAFT VILLAGES to see the manufacturing of lacquerware, spinning and weaving Thai Silk and how paper umbrellas are made. And take HOT AIR BALLON FLIGHTS, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the beauty of Chiang Mai over the mysterious countryside.
Half Day Tours
CITY & TEMPLES (daily, 0830-1200 & 1330-1700)
Visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai such as Wat Phra Singh with its Famous Buddha image, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai built by King Managrai, Wat Suan Dok which houses the remains of many generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family and Wat Jet Yot.
CITY & TEMPLES INCL. DOI SUTHEP (daily, 0830-1200 & 1300-1700)
Visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai such as Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai built by King Mangrai, Wat Suan Dok which houses the remains of many generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family and Wat Jet Yot. Also visit to Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 meters above sea level.
ELEPHANTS AT WORK & QUEEN SIRIKIT BOTANIC GARDEN (daily, 0830-1200)
Excursion to the north of Chiang Mai to visit an elephants working site. Watch the elephants taking their daily bath in the stream before beginning to haul timber in the forest. You will be amazed by their strength and clever team work. On the way back visit to the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden and orchid farm.
LOCAL LIFE TOUR (daily, 0830-1200 & 1330-1730)
Take an hour boat ride and enjoying the scenery along the riverbank of Ping River. After boat trip continue to “Sam Lor” or tricycle to Waroros Market, the first and famous market of Chiang Mai. Visit the market of flowers, local food, local produces etc. Before going back to the hotel by private car.
HANDICRAFT VILLAGES (daily, 0830-1200 & 1330-1700)
Handicraft Villages Tour. Tour of the Handicraft villages to see the manufacturing of lacquerware, the spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and how paper umbrellas are made. Also visit a famous Thai woodcarving factory with possibility to buy Burmese antiques.
KANTOKE DINNER (daily, 1915-2215)
Typical Thai Dinner with presentation of dances from northern Thailand, followed by a performance of dance and songs of various hilltribes.
LAMPOON & HARIPOONCHAI (daily, 0900-1200 & 1400-1700)
Visit to the famous Wat Haripoonchai in Lampoon built in 1157. It is one of the most sacred monuments in the north, with fine lacquered doors, one of the largest bronze gongs in the world and two fine Buddha images in bronze. Also visit to the village of Pasang, noted for its high quality silk and cotton weaving.
MEO DOI PUI VILLAGE & DOI SUTHEP (daily, 0800-1200 & 1330-1730)
Visit to the Meo Hilltribes and to Doi Suthep. A beautiful drive takes you uphill to a visit of the Meo Hilltribes, speaking their own language. Also visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 3,520 feet (1,056 meters) above sea level.
HMONG NONG HOI VILLAGE & BOTANIC GARDEN (daily, 0830-1200 & 1330-1730)
A beautiful drive north to Baan Hmong Nong Hoi Mai, visit the Hmong Hilltribes Village whose ancestors migrated from China and The Royal Project. On the way back visit to the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden and orchid farm.
HOT AIR BALLON FLIGHTS IN CHIANG MAI (daily, 0530-1000)
Riding in a hot air balloon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should do at least once. You will be amazed at how quiet and peaceful it is as you float gently on the breeze, without a care in the world. There is no better way to see the beauty of Chiang Mai than by a gentle free-floating balloon flight over the mysterious countryside.
(operate only from November 01, 04 – March 14, 05)
Full Day Tours
ELEPHANT SAFARI & HMONG NONG HOI MAI INCL. BOTANIC GARDEN (daily, 0830-1630)
Drive from Chiang Mai City to Mae Rim. Starting with a visit to an elephant camp and having seen the admirable and intelligent animals bathing and working, you take an hour ride through the forest on elephant back. Proceed to Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to visit Hmong Nong Hoi Mai hilltribe village and The Royal Project. On the way back visit Queen Sirikit Botanic garden and orchid farm.
ELEPHANT RIDING & BAMBOO RAFTING INCL. LUNCH (daily, 0830-1630)
Drive to the north of Chiang Mai to visit the Mae Ping Elephant Camp. Watch the elephants taking their daily bath in the stream before beginning to haul timber in the forest. You will be amazed by their strength and clever teamwork. Afterwards ride on elephant back for one hour through the forest and continue by 30 min. of rafting along the Ping River. Lunch will be provided at the Royal Ping Garden Resort. Also visit Meo village on the way back to Chiang Mai.
ONE DAY ECO SOFT ADVENTURE (daily, 0830-1630)
Drive from Chiang Mai by 4-WD Land Rover or similar to hilltribe museum at Mae Rim. Then continue to Mae Tang for elephant safari through the forest for 1 hr. includes ox-cart riding. Picnic Lunch. After lunch embark on the inflatable raft down the rapids in the white and scenic Mae Tang River for about 45 minutes. Continue to Baan Huai Rai, passing several villages. Return to Chiang Mai.
DOI INTHANON TOUR INCL. LUNCH (daily, 0830-1700)
Depart to Doi Inthanon, the country highest mountain peak (8,514 ft) along 47 km. Windy and scenic road to the top. Views depend on atmospherics but interesting places, remarkable flowering rhododendrons, rare birds and butterflies. Lunch at local restaurant. On the way back, visit waterfalls, hill tribe village and the temple for the holy relics in Chomthong.
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