Once the capital of an independent kingdom, Chiangmai and the North were known as the Lanna Kingdom, the Land of One Million Rice Fields. Among Thai visitors, Chiangmai and the North are exotic for the historical Burmese influences, most easily discerned in the art and architecture of old Lanna. Observant foreign visitors will hear the distinctive rhythms in the Northern language and see the differences between modern written Thai and the graceful old Lanna script. Chiangmai today is a modern city with hints of its past quaintly interspersed within its present. The spires of red brick stupas and glittering finials on the roofs of Buddhist temples compete with condominiums to dominate the skyline, creating striking views and wonderful juxtapositions. Chiangmai is one of Thailand’s shopping highlights, its Night Bazaar being famous the world over for traditional and contemporary handicrafts. The down-to-earth Northern Thai cuisine is founded upon sticky rice and a healthy assortment of tangy sauces and fresh vegetables. The mountainous countryside that surrounds Chiangmai is easily explored using the city as a base. Colorfully dressed tribal peoples populate the higher elevations and can be visited on an organized trek. Elephant camps, home to trained tuskers that once worked the Northern teak forests, can also be visited, and one can even ride a caravan of elephants through the lush jungle. Visitors planning to go overland to Laos and Myanmar (Burma) will find Chiangmai a convenient jumping-off point to these destinations.

Arriving & Leaving

Chiangmai’s modern and convenient international airport is situated two kilometers from downtown Chiangmai. Vans and airport taxis are available for the trip to and from the airport.

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The City of Chiangmai:

Once confined to a wall and a moat, Chiangmai has grown tremendously in the past decade, and it now offers a wide range of comforts and conveniences for travelers of every budget, making the city an ideal place to base oneself while exploring Northern Thailand. While in Chiangmai visitors may wish to have a stroll around one of the hundreds of Buddhist monasteries that dot the city. Ancient sites such as Chedi Luang, a towering stupa situated in the very center of Chiangmai, give an idea of the wealth of the old Lanna Kingdom. There is also a branch of the National Museum housing many antiquities, and wonderful works of art used at the Chiangmai royal court. A trip to the mountainside monastery known as Wat Phrathat on Doi Suthep, the mountain that dominates Chiangmai, will award the visitor with a fantastic view of the city in the valley below. bkk_02

Night Bazaar and Handicraft Villages:

The villages surrounding the city of Chiangmai have long been engaged in the production of handicrafts. Typical is Bo Sang, a village that traditionally manufactured lacquered parasols. Today the village and its “factories” produce hand-made parasols for export all over the world. Visitors can watch the process of production and purchase the finished product. There are also villages and factories near Chiangmai that produce woodcarvings, furniture, silk and cotton textiles, home d?cor, toys, reproduction antiques, and silver jewelry. Once the sun sets, head for Chiangmai’s famous Night Bazaar, a whole neighborhood of the city given over to shops and sidewalk vendors offering crafts from the region and as far a field as Nepal and Bali.

Elephant Camps:

Long a symbol of Thailand, the elephant was once the workhorse and warhorse of the ancient world. Whether carrying a fearless general into battle or lifting logs of teak in the lush teak forests of the North, the elephant's great strength and astonishing intelligence made the animal a vital part of Thai culture. Nowadays the elephants have retired from active duty on the battlefield and in the forests, but the traditions still survive at the Elephant Camps near Chiangmai. Here elephants and their handlers demonstrate the extraordinary skills and teamwork that made elephants the bulldozers and tanks of their day. After the show you can go for a trek through the jungle on the back of one of these gentle but mighty beasts.

Orchid Farms:

Perhaps the most exotic flower on the planet, the beguiling orchid has been associated with Thailand for centuries. What visitors may not know is the astounding variety of orchids from all over the world that are grown in Thailand for export to cold-climate countries. Chiangmai's orchid farms are also the home to countless indigenous species of butterfly that help to pollinate the flowers. A visit to the orchid farm will not only acquaint you with the vibrant colors and luscious shapes of the countless species of orchid, it is also a very relaxing way to spend a day.

Golden Triangle and Hall of Opium:

Located in the northernmost corner of Thailand, the Golden Triangle is where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) intersect. This region of rolling mountains and thick jungles was once a center for opium smuggling. Nowadays it is the site of the royally sponsored Hall of Opium, a newly built museum chronicling the history of opium and the opium trade. A multi-media approach has been utilized to teach and inform visitors, and there is a fabulous collection of antique opium-smoking accoutrements, as well as a life-sized replica of an opium den. Nearby is a lookout spot where visitors can view the hills of Laos and Myanmar in the distance. The four-hour trip from Chiangmai to the Golden Triangle passes through some of Thailand’s most spectacular scenery.

Tribal Trekking:

The mountains of the North are home to many different groups of tribal peoples, some more familiar than others. Some of these minority groups have assimilated to a high degree and are indistinguishable from the majority, while others have preserved their traditional lifestyles. The Hmong are probably the most well known of these groups. Less familiar are the Akha, Lisu, Lahu and Mien. All of these groups have their own distinctive garments and jewelry, the best of which they sport on special occasions. Organized treks depart from Chiangmai daily for two to five day trekking expeditions into the mountains. Trekking parties visit tribal villages and hike through scenic forests. A typical trek usually includes rafting and elephant riding as well.

More Amusements:

Enjoy an evening of traditional Northern food, music and dance at one of Chiangmai’s venues for “kantoke dinner”, where a Northern style buffet is followed by performances of dance by one of Chiangmai’s dance troupes. Dining at one of the many restaurants that line the Ping River is also a favorite Chiangmai pastime. Of course Chiangmai has its share of nightlife, and live music can be heard at many a venue.