Posted by paul on November 5th, 2007 filed in
Uncategorized
The majority of the more experienced globetrotters will probably know that
Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai is one of the country’s main attractions and a tourist hot spot. Chiang Mai is renowned for its unique sites, friendly locals, hill tribe peoples, important Buddhist temples and the always busy and atmospheric Night Bazaar. In addition, Chiang Mai’s internationally acclaimed reputation for the superb craftsmanship is the reason why this colourful city has become
Northern Thailand’s chief export centre. Most people visiting Chiang Mai for the first time are really impressed by the city’s chilled-out ambience and therefore decide to come back again another time. I would like to provide here some essential and useful tourist information:
The city of
Chiang Mai is the capital of the province with the same name and is located about 435 miles northwest of
Thailand’s capital,
Bangkok. The city provides
Northern Thailand’s main gateway and boasts more than 300 monasteries and Buddhist temples along with a highly reputed crafts and arts scene. Despite being
Thailand’s second largest city, the “rose of the north” still radiates a distinctive historical atmosphere. The city houses ancient temples, numerous winding old alleys and historic city walls. The gorgeous old city is surrounded by a moat. Wat Chiang Main was built more than 700 years ago and is the city’s oldest temple. This religious building features the two famous Buddha images. The first one is beautifully made from crystal and the second from stone.
Another centrally located ancient temple is Wat Phra Singh, which houses a one and a half millennium old Buddha statue while the Chedi Luang temple is renowned for its gigantic stupa, which was severely damaged in the year 1545 due to a powerful earthquake.
The
Tribal
Museum is of great interest especially for enthusiastic trekkers. The museum displays plenty of hill tribe people’s crafts and tools such as weapons, textiles, jewellery, opium pipes, music instruments, head-gear and other items.
The well-visited
village of
Bor Sang is situated within less than 10 miles outside of Chiang Mai. This village attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year, mainly for its handmade and brightly painted paper umbrellas. Nicknamed ‘the umbrella village’ visitors here also have the option to buy many other inexpensive handicraft products. Another interesting daytrip from Chiang Mai is spending a day at Thai Elephant Conservation Centre. Here you can observe these mighty animals while they’re having a bath, experience a ride on the back of an elephant and be pleasantly educated about the giant’s important role in the nation’s culture and history.
Chiang Mai city boasts an abundance of shops. Visitors will find a wide range of goods. Whether you are looking for luxury items, antiques, handicrafts, clothes, toys, ornaments, silverware, jewellery or furniture, all of these attractively priced goods can be purchased. You should definitely not miss a visit to the city centre’s Night Bazaar, which is truly a haven for shoppers!
Vibrant Chiang Mai is a cosmopolitan city with numerous international organisations and enterprises having their office here. The city enjoys an outstanding transport infrastructure.
Chiang
Mai
International
Airport offers direct flights to many destinations in
South East Asia such as
Taiwan,
Myanmar (
Burma),
China,
Cambodia,
Malaysia and
Singapore.
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