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Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional
heritage that dig deep into the soil of time. Named Rose of the
North for the wealth of flowers that blossom in the cooler
mountain climate, it has grown from its origins as a small
northern Lanna capital to become a city representative of modern
Thai culture with a beautiful cultural personality of its own.
In addition, it has been blessed with much majestic beauty in
nature!
The people themselves are an
unforgettable part of Chiang Mai.
Handicrafts of silk, silver and wood are timeless souvenirs for
visitors from all over the globe. Along with all this, a wide
variety of accommodations, restaurants and entertainment all
help to make Chiang Mai one of Thailand's prime tourist
attractions.
Attractions in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep
Wat Phra Borommathat temple is considered to be one of the most
revered and famous Buddhist shrines in the region. The temple, situated at the peak of Doi Suthep some 3,520 feet
above sea level, is also Chiang Mai's most important and visible
landmark and overlooks the entire city from its forested
mountain backdrop. It can also be seen from most everywhere
within Chiang Mai city itself, approximately 16 km away.
Getting there is just a short drive from the city up a road that
was first built in 1935. The temple is then approached on foot
by climbing some two hundred and ninety steps up the steep naga
stairway. The less energetic may ascend by funicular railcars.
The view across Chiang Mai City and the Ping river valley is
breathtaking and makes the exhausting climb worthwhile.
Doi Inthanon: Walking Trails
As a result of the long occupation by hill tribe people, there
are many footpaths on Doi Inthanon. A number of the main tracks
have evolved into single-lane motorcycle and truck roads
providing access to villages. Most walking trails in the park
are not signed at the trailhead nor marked along the route. It
is advisable, therefore, to contact the Park Headquarters, if
you want to do some walking.
Gew Mae Pan Trail
One of the most beautiful and
rewarding walks in the park is a
new trail which begins a short distance up the main summit road
from the royal chedi. The path leads for a kilometer or more
through dense, moist evergreen forest, then emerges and follows
the top of a steep slope bordering the canyon headwaters of the
Mae Pan River. Dotted with red rhododendron, the trail proceeds
southward for another kilometer with fine, open views to the
west, then re-enters the forest and eventually terminates at
Chedi.
The Mae Chaem Road
 This walk is a scenic pleasure from the start at km 38 on the
main summit road. The first kilometers travel through some of
the lushest forest on the mountain and then the road comes out
into the open and follows a descending ridge with fine views.
Songkran Festival
One of the high spots of the Thai calendar is the annual New
Year celebration, or Songkran, which falls on or around April
13, when the sun moves into Aries. It lasts for three days or
more. These days, Songkran has turned into a water-throwing funfest,
in which anyone and everyone is liable to get thoroughly
drenched-a blessed relief in this, the hottest season of the
year.
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