Brief of Chiang Mai

Some call it ‘Land of a Million Rice Fields’ and others ‘Rose of the North’ owing to the abundance of flowers that thrive in the cooler mountain climate. Situated in the upper area of Thailand's northern region at an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level between north latitude 17-21° and east longitude 98-99° and approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok (761 km by rail) on the Mae Ping River basin Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest province. It covers an area of approximately 20,000 sq km

Literally meaning new city, Chiang Mai was founded by King Meng Rai as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom in April 1296 contemporary to the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west.

The province is replete with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. Experiencing the merging of the past into the present, the residents here are proud of their 700-year history - are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. They also have their own lilting dialect, own architectural traditions, special cuisine, wide range of indigenous handicrafts, including silverware, lacquer ware, textiles and pottery. Visitors can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs.

Rich in traditional heritage and unique culture Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town. The various hill tribes also lend a great deal of character and color to the diversified cultural landscape. Despite its rapid urbanization, Chiang Mai remains a favorite destination for most visitors to the kingdom. It is a convenient gateway to many other Northern destinations, including the neighboring countries of the greater Mekong region.

Although there are Mahayana Buddhists, Muslims and Sikhs in the larger towns, the main and established religion in Chiang Mai province is clearly Theravada Buddhism - as it is throughout most of Thailand's provinces.