The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is possibly one of the most picturesque in Thailand, and a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the downtown of Bangkok. Nestled amidst the rugged mountains of Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai offers travellers a laid-back experience surrounded by beautiful temples and the ancient city’s wall and moat, which still stands around the inner areas of the city today.
Home to more than a million citizens, Chiang Mai is the country’s fifth most populous city, standing at an altitude of 316m above sea level, providing the city with a climate that is significantly cooler than cities located closer to the sea.
The city was first founded in 1296AD and was the ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom. Less than 100 years ago, the journey between Bangkok and Chiang Mai could only be reached by a ride on the back of an elephant.
Chiang Mai’s cultural and historic centre is the walled city (City is ‘Chiang’ in a northern Thai dialect while ‘mai‘ is new), Parts of the wall date back to their restoration within the past few decades remain at the gates and corners.
On the inside of Chiang Mai’s remaining city walls are over 30 temples dating back to the beginning of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas and pagodas laced with gold filigree. The most famous is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a mountainside 13 km away.
Today, Chiang Mai is growing quicker than ever, but particularly in the eastward direction towards the Ping River. In the eastern parts of the town, travellers can find Thanon Chang Klan, the renowned Night Bazaar, and many of Chiang Mai’s hotels and guesthouses.
No experience to Chiang Mai is complete until you’ve witnessed the beauty the city and surrounds from Doi Suthep, eaten a bowl of Kao Soi on the side of the road, and taken and taken a brisk stroll along the walking street market from Wat Phra Singh to Thapae Gate.
