Tourist Destination: Chiang Mai, Thailand

by Kevin Butters
(Chiang Mai, Thailand)

Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province & is located some 700 kms (435miles) north of Bangkok.

The city stands strategically on the Ping River, which threads it's way through the mountainous regions of Myanmar(Burma) & northern Thailand, before slowing down through the central plains & eventually merging with the Chao Phraya River which flows through the center of Bangkok & eventually out into the Gulf of Thailand!.

Despite being a reasonably modern city, Chiang Mai has managed to keep its centuries old History and Culture pretty much intact. Although English is spoken in hotels and most Restaurants to accommodate tourists, local folks generally speak "Kham Muang" which is the northern Thai or Lanna dialect.

Travelers interested in a country’s culture will definitely find Chiang Mai a cultural haven because it is the most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand.

Every year over one million travelers come to this city to partake in its breathtaking views and historic culture, destinations such as the Doi Suthep Temple ,which is one of the most important Theravada Buddhism temples in the whole of the Kingdom attracts huge crowds daily of both Thai's & foreign visitors alike.

The oldest Buddhist temple in the city is Wat Chiang Man which is over 700 years old!. Of the over 300 temples located in & around Chiang Mai one of my personal favorites is Wat Chedi Luang which for 500 years was the highest building in the whole of northern Thailand. Wat Suan Dok is another interesting place to visit, this 14th century temple is located just west of the old city wall & contains beautiful architecture & is also home to a monks study center, where once a week you can go for a monk chat about anything you like!.

Although Chiang Mai is seen as very much Thailand's "second city" after Bangkok, the city has risen both into cultural trading and economic terms to adopt its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand.

Travel enthusiasts will have a feel of the old Chiang Mai when they join Thai festivities such as the Loy Krathong Festival ,to give tribute to the Goddess of Water. The festival always falls on the 12th day of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which is usually in November.

There is also the Songkran Festival ,a celebration of the Thai New Year which falls in mid-April. Chiang Mai is definitely one of the most popular places to be in for Songkran, and if you happen to be in Thailand at this time of year is well worth a visit

A cultural visit to some of the museums in Chiang Mai is a must for history enthusiasts. The Chiang Mai National Museum highlights the history of the region and the Kingdom of Lanna while the Tribal Museum showcases the history of the local Hill Tribes Groups.

Think Chiang Mai, Think Thai Food this is something you really do have to try while visiting Chiang Mai. Thai food is basically spicy but it can also be sweet, sour and salty. Thai’s love spicy food so there is no wonder why most of their food is made of either curry or mixed spices made from different kinds of chili.

The Northern Specialities of Drunken Noodles and Thai Sticky Rice with Mango are not to be missed, all washed down with a delicious glass of Iced Thai Tea .If however you want to sample the full traditional fayre of northern Thailand then a visit to a Khan Tok Dinner is a must!.

When you start to plan your next visit to Thailand, make sure Chiang Mai is at the top of places to visit, it is consistently rated as the best place in Thailand to visit - the people are really friendly, the food is great, the scenery is stunning, the weather is always lovely & it's much cheaper than either Bangkok or the touristy destinations of the south.