ChiagnMai Travel Corner.com

Chiang Mai is often referred to as the "Rose of the North". Everyone who has visited Chiang Mai admits that it is certainly a land of beauty that was built on the roots of a traditional heritage that dig deep into the soil of time, and with a distinct cultural personality of its own...  

Situated in the upper area of Thailand’s northern region. Chiang Mai is about 750 km from Bangkok. A large part of  the land  is covered by mountains and forests that give birth to several streams and tributaries which in turn feed important rivers and irrigation canals necessary to Chiang Mai’s agriculture. It is along the banks of Chiang Mai’s most important river that its flat, fertile valley area lies. Chiang Mai is also home to Inthanon Mountain which is Thailand’s highest mountain at 2,565 meters above sea level. 
 
In relation to the rest of Thailand, Chiang Mai is considered to be quite cool. The average yearly temperature is 25.4oC, with the highest at 40.1oC and the lowest at 8.7oC. With a population of a little less than 2 million distributed throughout the city area and 22 districts and 2 sub-districts, Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s largest provinces. More than 80% of the people are locals by birth, and speak a dialect that is a slight variation of the central Thai language. The remaining population is made up of Thai nationals and foreigners who have moved to Chiang Mai to work, study or retire. There are many hill tribe people living in the mountainous districts surrounding Chiang Mai. 

Majority of the people earn a living through agriculture and other agriculture-related professions. The second largest vocation is tourism. Chiang Mai people are also involved in general commerce and industry-mainly in handicrafts, and of processing agricultural products. 

Chiang Mai is a city with a beautiful cultural personality that is unique and blessed by majestic nature. The people themselves are unforgettable part of Chiang Mai. Along with its timeless souvenirs of handicrafts, Chiang Mai has become one of Thailand’s prime tourist attractions.

Climate

 What to see and what to do in Chiang Mai?

Attractions

• Doi Suthep-DoiPuiNational Park : The park consists of forests and mountain ranges. Major mountains include Doi Suthep, Doi Buak Ha, and Doi Pui. This is a main source of tributaries and streams in Chiang Mai. Sacred places, religious attractions and historical sites are located in the park complex.
• Walking Street Chiang Mai : municipality has organized, since 2006, the Chiang Mai Sunday Evening Walking Street at the Three Kings Monument Courtyard. It has turned into a thriving Sunday evening market which now encompasses nearly the whole of Rachadamnoen road (the main road of the old city), many of its side streets and the square in front of Thapae gate. It is renowned for the locally made handicrafts. In addition, Chiang Mai also organises a Saturday Evening Walking Street on Woa Lai road which runs from Chiang Mai gate, on the south side of the old city, towards the airport.
• Chiang Mai Zoo: located next to Huai Kaeo Arboretum. It is a large zoo, which occupies the lower forested slopes of DoiSuthepMountain. The zoo contains more than 200 types of Asian and African mammals and birds.
• Doi InthanonNational Park: at 2,565 m, Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain and one of the coolest peaks. Besides the actual mountain itself, there are a variety of other attractive locations such as Mae Ya, Wachirathan and Siriphum waterfalls and BoriChindaCave.
• Pang Chang Mae Sa: The elephant shows are a demonstration of the elephants' abilities in log-hauling. After the end of the performance, visitors are able to have a go at riding an elephant.
• Mae Sa Waterfall: The famous 8-tiered waterfall in Amphoe Mae Rim occupies a natural setting among towering trees, covered with a lovely breeze all year round.
• Night Bazaar: Every evening the center of the provincial city holds one of the provinces biggest markets, selling a huge variety of goods to tourists, both foreign and Thai. The market is 3 blocks long and is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and travel agents.
• Hill tribes Trekking of particular interest to most are the six major hilltribes which inhabit the Northern Highlands. The largest group is Karen, followed by the Meo, Lahu, Yao, Akha and Lisu. They share animism beliefs and honour numerous forest and guardian spirits. Each tribe has distinctive ceremonial attire, courtship rituals, games, dances, agricultural customs, languages or dialects, aesthetic values and hygienic habits.
• Bamboo Rafting-Whitewater Rafting: Rafting along the Mae Taeng River is very popular because the river zigzags along the valleys. The river tide is not too rough and the surroundings on both sides are admirable.
• Cruising along the Ping River Maenam Ping is the main river in Chiang Mai. While cruising, people can witness the atmosphere of Chiang Mai, as well as the local lifestyle on both sides of the PingRiver.
• Artificial Rock Climbing can be practiced at the PeakRockClimbingPlaza.
• Golf Courses Due to the pleasant natural surroundings and climate, Chiang Mai is popular for playing golf. There are many courses in the province.
• Spa treatment in Chiang Mai includes both traditional remedies and healing arts alongside modern techniques. This treatment, in terms of service available, has escalated over the past few years and there are now innumerable locations offering spa service – often including a Jacuzzi and steam bath.
• Shopping in Chiang Mai is one of the most popular activities of the region. Besides the usual abundance of shopping malls and department stores, there is a huge variety of local markets. The Night Bazaar in downtown Chiang Mai is the most popular location for shopping.

Events and Festivals

• Umbrella Festival is held in January at Bo Sang Handicraft Centre. The festival features paper products, paper parasols in particular, cultural shows, a parade showing traditional ways of life, and several contests.
• Flower Festival is held in February. The festival includes ornamental garden flower contests, floral floats parade in the morning and beauty pageants. The parade begins at Chiang Mai Railway Station and passes Nawarat Bridge and ends at Nong Buak Hat Park.
• Songkran Festival is held annually from 13 to 15 April. The 13th of April is the Great Songkran day featuring the revered Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image parade around Chiang Mai town for bathing, sand pagoda forming, blessing of elders, and water splashing.
• Doi Suthep Pilgrimage, on the night of Visakha Bucha Day, worshippers gather to light candles and make the 7-kilometre pilgrimage up to the temple on Doi Suthep.
• City Pillar Inthakin Festival is held to invoke blessings of peace, happiness and prosperity for the city and its residents. Buddha images are paraded around the city. It is held at Wat Chedi Luang for 7 auspicious days and nights in the 7th lunar month.
• Yi Peng Festival is held annually on Loy Krathong day.The festival features the release of lanterns into the sky to worship the gods. There are also fireworks, lantern contests, and beauty pageants.