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The province of
Chiang Mai, located 700 km north of Bangkok and
served by both air and rail services from the
capital, epitomizes the charm and attractions
that typify northern Thailand.
Here you will
discover a landscape of high forested hills and
idyllic river valleys, while the cities, towns
and villages of the region display a distinct
culture arising from a long and separate
history whereby the temperature is cooling and
the surroundings serene. At the same time, deluxe hotels and
mountain resorts provide all modern comforts
while the main attractions here are its three
hundred over temples with intricate woodcarvings
and colorful murals from the Lanna period, which
is around the 13th and 14th
centuries.
The city of Chiang
Mai, pleasantly situated on the banks of the
Ping river, is a treasure trove of ancient
temples, fascinating for their distinctive
northern Thai architectural style and rich
decorative detail, while on the outskirts is the
famed hilltop temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
temple.
Chiang Mai is equally famous for its wealth of
traditional handicrafts such as the hand-woven
textiles, silk, wood carvings, silver,
ceramics and more which make the city a
veritable paradise for the shopper and it is a
neat square bounded by moats and remnants of a
medieval-style wall raised seven hundred years
ago to prevent the invading Burmese soldiers
from entering whereby the Th Moon Muang, located
on the eastern part of the moat, is the main
traveler centre.
Beyond, the
countryside beckons, offering adventure travel
by trekking, riding elephants, river rafting or
four-wheel drive safaris into a natural
wonderland, where the traditional villages of
colorful hill tribe people are a unique feature
in the landscape and you will get first-hand
knowledge of the daily life of the natives here.
Other attractions here in Chiang Mai include the
Chiang Mai National Museum whereby displays of
Lanna history and art can be seen, the Tribal
Museum in which artifacts collected from various
hill tribes are being exhibited and the Chiang
Mai Night Bazaar selling a variety of Thai and
northern Thai products and handicrafts.
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