Chiang Mai

Province

Chiang Mai ( also Chiengmai, Xiang May or Kiangmai, Thai:? เชียงใหม่, listen / i ) is a large city ( เทศบาล นคร เชียงใหม่ ) in the Thai province of Chiang Mai. It is the capital of the district ( Amphoe ) Mueang Chiang Mai, the capital of the province of Chiang Mai. With its 135 757 inhabitants, is the largest and most culturally important city in the northern region of Thailand, also called Rose of the North because of the scenic beauty.

Location

Chiang Mai is located in a sheltered valley of Maenam ( River ) Ping, at the foot of the mountain Doi Pui (1685 m above sea level).

The provincial capital is the economic and cultural center of the north. The former tranquility has given way to western rush, many old teak houses are replaced by concrete structures. This is the enormous contrast abundantly clear (among other Akha, Meo, Lisu, Karen ) to the outside of the city settled in the traditional way hill tribe people.

Chiang Mai has a total of about 200 Buddhist temples ( Wat ), many of which are located in the Old Town. This is from a square of the ancient city wall ( remains of which are still standing ) and a parallel thereto moat enclosed, which can be crossed on numerous bridges. Contrast, the center of the modern town lies east towards outside the former city walls to the banks of Maenam Ping.

Economy

Chiang Mai is the center of the Thai arts and crafts. In particular, the wood processing, textile manufacturing and the processing of jade jewelry are important branches of the economy. The Chinnaraje Co., Ltd.. , A manufacturer of auto rickshaws, has its headquarters in the city also, of course, tourism is an important source of income of many people.

On the western edge is the Chiang Mai International Airport.

Education

The University of Chiang Mai ( Thai: มหาวิทยาลัย เชียงใหม่, Engl: Chiang Mai University - in short, CMU), the leading public university in northern Thailand, is located about five kilometers west of the center of Chiang Mai below the mountain Doi Suthep. In Chiang Mai, there are the following universities with a variety of subdivisions:

• The Rajabhat University Chiang Mai
• The private Payap University ( Christian)
• The private Far Eastern University
• The Lanna campus of the Buddhist Mahamakut University ( Thammayut Nikaya ) at Wat Chedi Luang
• Campus Chiang Mai Buddhist Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University ( in Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai )

Located near Chiang Mai attractions also:

• The Maejo University ( about 14 miles)
• The private North - Chiang Mai University ( about 17 miles)
• Lanna Rajamangala University of Technology ( about 20 miles)

History

Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 by Mangrai as the capital of his kingdom Lan Na ( " Land of a Million Rice Fields "). After the subjugation of the Mon kingdom was Haripunchai Chiang Mai capital of Lan Na. 1556 was the Burmese Lanna make to their vassals, and only in 1775 was Chiang Mai under General Taksin to Thailand, but retained until 1932 a quasi- autonomous status.

Sister cities

Chiang Mai has four sister cities.

• Kunming, China
• Harbin, China
• Uozu, Japan
• Saitama, Japan

Attractions

• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - probably founded in 1371, present-day appearance since 1805, high in the Doi Suthep above Chiang Mai located (the road there was only built in 1935 ), with great views over the whole valley.
• Wat Phra Singh - Buddhist temple ( Wat ), built in 1345 by King Pha Yo, with the Buddha Phra Sihingh, wood carvings of the portals, jeweled bronze statue, small library building from the 14th century.
• Wat Chiang Man - captured with the so-called " crystal Buddha" from rock crystal, from the 7th century by King Mangrai in the conquest of Haripunchai.
• Wat Chiang Yuen - National Temple of The Kingdom of Chiang Mai, north and bordered by walls and moats Old Town.
• Wat Chedi Luang - with ruins of a huge chedi, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. In the northern part of small Viharn, which was built in honor of the meditation master Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta, who lived and worked here.
• Wat Lok Mo Li - renovated Buddhist temple dating from the 14th century.
• Wat Buppharam - Tha Pae Road situated at the temple from the late 15th century, in the 19th century renewed with an unusual Viharn in Burmese style.
• Wat Suan Dok - temple from the 14th century west of the old.

• Wat Chet Yot - Temple with unusual Viharn from the 15th century.
• Wat Umong - lying in the forest temple from the 14th century, on the edge of town, with a large pond ( fish feeding ).
• National Museum Chiang Mai - Founded in 1973, alongside pieces from the history Lan Nas shows a beautifully designed wooden Buddha footprint.
• Tribal Museum of Chiang Mai - shows the art and culture of mountain peoples and explains their history.
• Night Bazaar ( Night Bazar ) - near the Maenam Ping; will be presented nightly local products, victuals and textiles (especially of the hill tribe people ) offered for sale. Several food courts and numerous food stalls provide for the physical well-being of both the locals and the tourists.
• Wiang Kum Kam - historical archaeological site located about five kilometers south of the city. Here lived King Meng Rai the Great before he founded Chiang Mai.
• Chiang Mai Night Safari - Zoo and Amusement Park with a restaurant and water - light games, some with enclosures through which one is moved in small evening trains. 10 km outside the city.
• Royal Flora Expo ( Thai: งาน มหกรรม พืช สวน โลก 2006 - [Na n.má.hà.kam.p ː ʰ ɯ ː ː t.sǔ an.lô k.2006 ː ], also: ราชพฤกษ์ 2549 - [ râ ː ʰ t.tɕ A.P rɯk.2549 ʰ ] ) - International Garden Show among other things, huge halls with orchids, very complex, very spacious, about 10 km southwest of the old town.
• At the station: Monument RSR steam locomotive No. 340, ex G 4/ 5118 of the Rhaetian Railway (Graubünden, Switzerland ), SLM 2208, 1912, ( operable sister locomotives 107 and 108 in the RhB) in Thailand since 1926
• Kawila Racetrack Racecourse, held on every Saturday from 12.30 clock in horse racing and the betting is legal.