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Chiang Mai
Thailand
Chiang Mai is the gateway to Northern Thailand. With a population
of over 170,000, it is Thailand's fifth-largest city. Located
on a plain at an elevation of 316m, surrounded by mountains
and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the
capital, and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat
population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle
permanently in this "Rose of the North".
Understand
Founded in 1296 AD, the culturally rich city of Chiang Mai is
the longest continuously inhabited settlement from the ancient
days of Siam. Located amidst the rolling foot hills of the Himalayan
Mountains 700km north of Bangkok, it could only be reached by
an arduous river journey or an elephant back trip until the
1920's, isolation which has helped keep Chiang Mai's distinctive
charm intact to this day.
Chiang Mai's historical centre is the walled city (chiang in
Thai, hence Chiang Mai - "New Walled City"). Sections
of the wall remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest
only the moat remains.
Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples
dating back to the founding 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 Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from
a mountainside 13km away.
Modern-day Chiang Mai has expanded in all directions, but particularly
to the east towards the Ping River (Mae Nam Ping), where Thanon
Chang Klan, the famous Night Bazaar and the bulk of Chiang Mai's
hotels and guesthouses are located. The locals say you've not
experienced Chiang Mai until you've seen the view from Doi Suthep,
eaten a bowl of kao soi, and purchased an umbrella from Bo Sang.
Festivals & exhibitions
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Flower festival floatChiang Mai Flower Festival
is staged every year during the first weekend in February.
The city is awash with vibrant colors ranging from the electric
orange and lilac colors of the bougainvillea to the velvety
blossoms of petunias in all shades of pink, white and purple.
The strident red of the poinsettias, bought by many at Christmas
and New Year, is echoed by beds of scarlet salvias. Homes
and shop owners alike line the city streets with colourful
flower boxes. The sheer profusion of colour that the flower
festival and carnival brings to Chiang Mai aptly gives the
city its name "Rose of the North". On all three
days of the festival, prize blooms are on display at Suan
Buak Haad near the city centre. Every type of flower, miniature
tree and orchid is put on display for the judges to choose
the best of the species. Landscape specialists put on an elaborate
display, which includes patios and waterfalls with exotic
decorative plants and flowers. The best part of the flower
festival is on Saturday. The parade lines up from the train
station to Narawatt bridge so the police close most of Jarenmuang
Road around 8AM. The VIP viewing stand is right next to the
bridge in front of the Chiang Mai Governor's home. The parade
route goes down Thapae Road to the Gate and turns left and
follows the moat to Suan Buak Haad City Park. The parade moves
at a slow pace and stops several times so there is plenty
of time to take pictures of the colourful floats, pretty girls
and hilltribe people in costume. The people in the parade
hand out roses to spectators lining the road. When the parade
finishes everyone heads to Suan Buak Haad where all the floats,
award winning flower growers and landscape projects are all
on display. There are plenty of food stalls in the park, and
in the late afternoon the Miss Chiang Mai Flower festival
starts. The party goes well into the evening until the new
Flower Festival Queen has been chosen. This is a great time
to visit Chiang Mai, as the air is cool and the evenings fresh
and clear. If you want to see the festival make sure you book
your hotels and flights well in advance.
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Khom Loy hot air balloons launchLoi Krathong
Festival If you like candles placed in colourful paper lanterns,
fireworks, beautiful girls in traditional dress, parade floats,
lots of food, and parties, don't miss the Loi Krathong festival,
which in Chiang Mai lasts for 3 full days, the last night
being that of the 12th full moon of the year (which is usually
in November). In the small town of Mae Jo, north of Chiang
Mai, they start the festival on Saturday night by simultaneously
launching thousands upon thousands of hot air balloons called
"Khom Loy".
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Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts
Festival Takes place 20th-22nd January at Ban Bo Sang, Sankampang.
The festival is in the form of a "street fair" in
which the central road of the village is used, with stores
on both sides. Stores are decorated in Lanna style, most with
the well-known umbrellas, as well as with traditional lanterns.
In addition there are contests, exhibitions, cultural performances,
local entertainment, and assorted shows day and night. There
is a grand procession decorated with umbrellas and local products,
a variety of handicrafts for sale, northern-style kantoke
meals, and the Miss Bo Sang pageant.
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The 2nd Orchid Fair (January) is the biggest
orchid fair of the year, with an orchid market, activities
and more.
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Royal Flora Exposition, [15]. A magnificent
showcase of 50,000 orchid plants representing nearly 10,000
orchid species, plus much more.
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