Everything you should know about Thailand | Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city, is that the capital of Chiang Mai Province, the previous capital of the dominion of Thailand, and therefore the political, economic, and cultural center of northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is that the second most developed city within the world after the capital, Bangkok. Chiang Mai is understood because of the "Rose of the North" due to its beautiful scenery and flowers, especially roses, which are most famous within the city. Chiang Mai may be a highland city in Thailand with a pleasing climate and could be a famous summer resort.

Best time to visit

November-February is the recommended period.

November-February: the Water Lantern Festival in November, the Flower Festival in February, tourists, and locals gather to party. Chiang Mai is within the middle of winter, but the temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, numerous people cash-in of the New Year 's Day Day, and Chinese New Year holidays to flee the cold. Accordingly, it's necessary to book air tickets and hotels a minimum of half a month beforehand, and costs are about twice as high as was common.

March-May: The Water Festival is that the biggest festival in Chiang Mai from April 13-15 and flights and hotels are tight during lately.

June-October: Although it's the season and it does rain quite a bit, it always only rains once each day and it ends quickly, so it hardly affects travel, just bring rain gear. Hotels tend to possess discounts during these times.

Festivities

Bosang Umbrella Festival

Location: Chiang Mai

Date: third weekend of January each year

Bosang, a small village not far from Chiang Mai, is famous for its waxed umbrellas, which are painted in bright colors with floral or folk tale motifs and are popular among tourists.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Location: Chiang Mai

Date: First Friday, Saturday and Sunday of February each year

Every year, on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of February, a parade is held, in which the flowers grown in each place are brought out to compete with each other.

Flower Festival

Location: Chiang Mai

Date: February 4-6 every year

Chiang Mai's Flower Festival is unique in the country. The parade is the highlight of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival and leaves a wonderful memory year after year. There are flower displays, float parades, handicraft sales, and beauty contests. Visitors can indulge themselves in the sea of flowers and learn gardening skills from the locals.

Getting there

Chiang Mai International Airport (CIA)

It is located at rock bottom of Mount Suthep, about two kilometers from the old city. The first floor is the arrival hall for international and domestic passengers and therefore the second floor is the departure hall for international passengers. There are daily direct flights from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and Phuket within the south of Thailand, and therefore the journey to Bangkok takes about 1 hour.

The ride from the airport to downtown Chiang Mai is about 15 minutes. If you book your hotel beforehand, there's usually a free pick-up service. Once you get to the airport, walk straight bent stop a shuttle, taxi, or blitz bus that delivers passengers, it's not recommended to require the airport scheduled bus, there's a further service charge.

Sights

Chiang Mai Old Town

The ancient city of Chiang Mai is that the site of the traditional royal palace of the Lannathai dynasty, which had a square shape and still retains its walls and moat. the town is filled with monuments and attractions. The streets, traditional temples, unique hotels, and little shops are all worth a visit.

Tha Phae Gate :

The only remaining remnant of Chiang Mai's ancient city, the night market ancient city of the foremost complete surviving gate, is often called the welcome gate of Chiang Mai. The quaint and unique gate attracts tens of thousands of tourists and is surrounded by hotels and restaurants. The journey is the most suitable option.

Wat Phra Singh :

Chiang Mai's largest and most popular Buddhist temple, inbuilt the 14th century, is that the highest-ranking temple in Chiang Mai, along with side the Chidilon Temple. the inside of the temple is splendidly decorated with a statue of Phra Singh and frescoes depicting ancient local costumes and customs. The temple is taken into account to be a masterpiece of traditional art in northern Thailand. There also are meditation classes for foreign visitors to the temple, where you'll sit down within the Buddha Hall and feel the peace. The temple is one of the most places where Chiang Mai celebrates the annual Water Festival in April.

Wat Chiang Man :

Built-in 1300, it's the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. One of the foremost distinctive features is that the 15 elephant-bearing pagodas. There are two Lanna-style monasteries, the larger of which was renovated in 1920, and ahead of the Buddhist altar may be a standing Buddha inbuilt 1465. This is often the earliest Buddha statue found in Chiang Mai thus far. Within the smaller monastery, there are two very precious statues, Phra Sila and Phra tang. Khamani, two statues of Buddha, both of which have the facility to make rain, is carried in procession by devotees during the annual water festival celebrations.

Wat Chedi Luang:

Built-in 1411, it's the most important of the six major temples in Chiang Mai and, alongside Pasin, is that the highest-ranked temple in Chiang Mai. The temple is made within the typical Lanna (ancient Thai dynasty) style and consists of the main hall, little Buddha hall, and a monk's room, with a snake and little Buddha statue at the doorway of the temple. Decorated with peacocks, you'll see the large Buddha statue once you enter the inside. The good Stupa is that the oldest building within the temple, the spire of the stupa collapsed overnight after the Chiang Mai earthquake in 1545, so what you see now The stupa features a flat roof. Just one side of the pagoda has steps, the opposite three sides are sloping, so visitors aren't allowed to climb the pagoda. Don't wear clothing that reveals your limbs when taking pictures with a Buddha statue.

Wat Suan Dok

Built within the 14th century in the beautiful gardens of the Rannathai dynasty, the building is magnificent. Most hall has three tiers of roofs, behind which are pagodas of all sizes, containing the bone altar of the Thai king and therefore the largest bronze Buddha statue in Thailand. The large bell-shaped pagoda was built to commemorate the famous monk, Maha Thera Sumana, who came from Sri Lanka to Chiang Mai to offer lectures and stayed at the temple. here. Every year, on April 13-14, Sondhi Temple is bustling with large religious celebrations. it's also a must-visit for photographers.

Nimman Road (Nimmanhemin)

Situated between the Old City and Chiang Mai University, Nimman Road may be trendy art and culture hub in Chiang Mai and a favorite spot for children. it's a sizable amount of artsy shops, cafes, small bars, and art and fashion shops that are perfect for photos.

Doi Suthep

" Suthep" means "fairy friend" in Thai. Located within the western suburbs of Chiang Mai, at an altitude of 1,667 meters, it's a famous Buddhist shrine in Thailand. The 300 steps to the highest of the mountain lead you up to a hill with a gorgeous view of the mountains. The observation deck, with panoramic views of Chiang Mai city, maybe a natural lookout for Chiang Mai. the hill is home to the famous Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and therefore the King of Thailand's summer residence, Bhuping Palace.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

It is a famous Buddhist summer resort in Thailand. Legend has it that within the 14th century, the north of Thailand received the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, and a monk placed them on the rear of a white elephant and left it to seek out an offering. Location, and eventually the white elephant walked to Supai Hill here. to the present day, the Buddha's relics are still enshrined within the temple's golden stupa, which attracts devotees from everywhere the planet on pilgrimage per annum. there's a viewing platform behind the most hall that overlooks the whole city of Chiang Mai and maybe an excellent spot to require photos. Shoes aren't stored separately, so you would like to recollect where to place it.

Chiang Mai Night Safari

The Chiang Mai Night Safari is located under Doi Suthep and is that the largest zoo in Thailand. It's recommended to arrive within the evening and take a walk around Swan Lake on the Jaguar Trail to ascertain the graceful white swans, lively raccoons, and Cougars and other animals, and therefore the views are beautiful. there's a tiger show at the zoo gate a day except for Wednesday at 17:30 and 19:30, and a tiger show at 20:00 on Friday, Saturday and holidays. There's an additional field at 20:30. The most event is Night Safari, where you'll rise close and private with nocturnal hornbills, giraffes, white rhinos, and zebras. You'll also observe fierce animals like tigers, lions, bears, and crocodiles from a distance.

Chiang Mai Grand Canyon

Chiang Mai Grand Canyon may be a waterpark inbuilt an abandoned limestone quarry. The quarry has been empty for several years and was naturally crammed with water by monsoon rains. It became a well-liked swimming spot due to the natural great thing about the canyon. The water is azure and therefore the canyon walls are very steep and, within the past, you'll jump from the highest of the cliffs into the water. In August 2016, the Chiang Mai Grand Canyon waterpark was opened. It offers an inflatable obstacle course, slides, little zip line, and wakeboarding.

Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun :

Wat Rong Khun, perhaps better known to foreigners because the White Temple, could be a privately owned art exhibit within the sort of the first is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province, it's owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed, constructed, and therefore the Museum was opened to visitors in 1997.

Bandaam Museum :

Also referred to as the Black House or Black Temple, it had been created by a famous Thai artist. Thawan Duchanee, whose paintings are quite famous within the area, is worth a lot of money. The theme of the museum is territory and death. He has collected an unimaginable amount of exhibits on death, territory, including animal bones from thousands of years ago, hunting tools of primitive peoples. a spread of ancient tools, antiques, and specimens are wont to blend the exhibits into works of art using modern installation techniques.

Markets and Night Markets

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

The main venue for shopping in Chiang Mai, indeed all of Thailand, the night bazaar may be a can't-miss a part of the Chiang Mai experience. Ground zero of this nightly commerce bomb is found at the intersection of Chang Khlan Road and Loi Khro Road but the entire thing spreads out for two blocks in either direction. Found out time is around sunset (usually about 18:00) and shopping goes on unabated until about 22:30 with a couple of vendors remaining open even later.

Warorot Market

Warorot Market (or Kad Luang) could be a must-visit for food lovers because it offers a good range of ready-to-eat meals, local snacks, and everyone sort of fresh produce. An outsized section of the market features inexpensive goods, like clothing, fashion accessories, and private care products.

Wualai Walking Street

Wualai, the Saturday walking street, maybe a lively and fun night market that takes place in Chiang Mai just a brief walk from the old city walls. It starts within the late afternoon and continues until around 22:30. Not only are there many handicraft items and locally-made products, but it’s also an honest place to select up some tasty snacks to supply sustenance as you wander around.

Sunday Walking Street

The Sunday Weekend Walking Street is the foremost popular shopping experience in Chiang Mai. A vibrant spectrum of art, crafts, music, and food – with handmade quality goods and souvenirs that echo the spirit of Northern Thailand.