Chiang Mai - The Rose of the North

Chiang Mai an enchanting location on the banks of the Ping river. Chiang Mai and its surroundings are blessed with a unique indigenous cultural identity and stunning natural beauty.

Chang Mai has been a city for 700 years and is the principal city of northern Thailand and capital of the province. Chiang Mai province, with its 19 districts, today has a population of more than 1.5 Million people.

The area is also home to 'Doi Inthanon', Thailand's tallest peak at 2.595 meters. The neighboring provinces around Chang Mai have great appeal, offering further opportunities to experience the distinctive culture and North's natural beauty.

It can get cold in Chiang Mai. The average yearly temperature is a pleasant 25.0 ° C, with highest temperatures getting up to 41.5 ° C, and the lowest to a nippy .7° C. The three seasons are summer, rainy and winter.

Chiang Mai is also the gateway to the northern hill tribes, although the villages in the surrounding highlands are so accustomed to seeing, and it is advised to here to experience culture that have yet be overly commercialized.

 

Chiang Mai's Highlight's

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai' most famous landmark. Built in 1383 by King Guena, a large golden chedi in the center of the temple contains holy relics of Lord Buddha.

The temple is referred somthimes as 'Doi Suthep', which is actually the name of the mountain and is reachable by 290 Naga-lined steps; Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is 3.520 feed above sea level and gives an exhilarating view of the city and surrounding countryside.

Chiang Mai National Museum

Built in modern Lanna style, the Chiang Mai museum offers an interesting collection of northern arts and crafts, Ancient status of Buddha and a collection of old weapon.

The main highlights at the Chiang Mai National Museum is the history of the Kingdom of Lanna.

Wat Chedi Luang

Built in 1411; Wat Chedi Luang, the large chedi was damaged by an earthquake in 1545 and reconstructed early 1990.

A copy of the Emerald Buddha, made from black jade resided here in the great pagoda. 

Also on the temple grounds is the city pillar of Chiang Mai, moved from his orginial location in 'Wat Sadeu Muang'.

Wat Jed Yod

The wat contains ashes of King Tilokaraj in the stupa.

The king sent his architects to Burma to design this copy of Buddha Gaya in 1447. Wat Jed Yod is characterized by its square Cedi with seven spires, but suffered damage during the Burmese invasion of 1566.

Designed and inspired by the temple of Bodhgaya, in India.

Wat Ku Tao

Built in 1613 is remarkable for its unusual Chedi in the shape of five watermelon-shaped pagoda, which gave him also it's name the 'watermelon stupa'. 

There are many legend told about this temple, one according to burmese chronicles; a burmese king ordered the construction of a Chedi named Chedi Ku Tao to keep his brothers relics, who has died in Chiang Mai.

He also ordered to built a temple in the same area which was covered in Bamboo Trees which received the name 'Wat Weluwan Ku Tao' or  the ' temple in the Bamboo Forest with a Watermelon Stups'.

The Stupa is beautifully decorated with colored porcelain chips which is said to represent the five Lord Buddha's.

Wat Chiang Mai

Wat Chiang Mai is the former residence of King Mengrai, founder of Chang Mai; it is the oldest temple, built in 1300. The elephant statues are Ceylonese - style.There are also two populare Buddha statues.

Wat Chiang Mai is famous for its fine Chedi; supported by rows of elephant statues in Ceylonese style and his beautiful chapel, with the ancient Buddha images of Phra Kaeo Khao, a tiny crystal statue.

Wat Pra Singh

One of Chang Mai's oldest, lovely and biggest temples, it was built in 1345 to house the revered Phra Phutthasihing Buddha image.

Wat Pra Singh includes the Lai Kham chapel featuring exquisite woodcarvings and northern-style murals, a bell shaped Stupa and a magnificent scriptural repository with striking bas relief. Pra Singh, the most venerated statue in the north.

 

Wat Suan Dok

Wat Suan Dok built around 1383 with this pleasure garden is most noted for its white Chedi, which contains ashes of Chang Mai's royal family.

The large 'Sala Kan prian' hall contains many Buddha statue. A seated Buddha looks towards the east, a standing Buddha holding a bundle of straw as well as a smaller Buddha in the Lanna style.

Wat Suan Dok accomandates within the temple compound also the Chiang Mai campus of 'Buddhist Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University'