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Chiang Mai ThailandOne of the many questions Thais may ask a foreigner visiting Thailand is ‘Have you been to Chiang Mai yet?’

underscoring the feeling that Chiang Mai is a keystone of any journey to Thailand.

ABOUT CHIANG MAI

DISCOVERER

A B R A N T E S R & D I N T E R N A T I O N A L

A city and a region steeped in tradition

and history, Chiang Mai has weathered

seven hundred years of fascinating

history.

Northern Thailand has its own

unique Thai culture and laid back

charm, and Chiang Mai is a

comfortable city with many

attractions. You will be impressed

by our history, which goes back for

seven centuries and can be seen in

the many ancient temples, ruins,

city gates, and the famous moat,

which surrounds the old town.

Then, there is the tasty Thai food,

our friendly and welcoming

Northern Thai people, and the

special natural environment of the

mountains and national parks near

the city.

You must visit the Buddhist

mountain top temple of Phrathat

Doi Suthep and go to Doi Inthanon

National Park, located on Doi

Inthanon, Thailand’s highest

mountain at 2,565 meters above

sea level.

When you return in the evening,

we very much recommend you

attend a Khantoke dinner where

you can experience Thai cultural

dancing and music set in a

traditional teak mansion, and eat

Northern Food from floor tables.

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The Historic Capital of Lanna

Chiang Mai, ‘Rose of the North,’ is located in a board fertile basin of Ping river, about 700 km north of

Bangkok. Regarded as the principal city of the northern region, Chiang Mai consists of distinctive

culture and various ethnic groups, along with beautiful scenery of natural environment. Nowadays,

Chiang Mai is the commercial, educational and travel center. Among the modern civilization, there are

still numerous remaining of its long and glorious culture. Moreover,

the hospitality of people, old local traditions and belief, as well as

hundred of monuments are very unique.

Chiang Mai is an old city with a

proud history. It was founded by

King Mengrai who united

several tribes and named the

new land as Lanna Kingdom. In

1259, he governed the throne

and built Chiangrai as his

capital in 1262. In 1291, he decided to build a new city as the

capital of Lanna Kingdom. He invited King Ramkhamhaeng the

Great of Sukhothai Kingdom, and King Ngam Nuang of Phayao Kingdom, both his close friends, to

help select a site for the new city. They decided to build the new city

on a fertile plain between Doi Suthep Mountain and the bank of the

Ping River. The new city was completed, surrounded by a moat and

wall, in 1296. It was named Nopphaburi Si Nakhonping Chiangmai.

Chiang Mai was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom for a long time. It

was attacked frequently and finally came under the control of

Ayuthaya, then Burma. In 1774, King Taksin the Great of Thailand

recovered it from the Burmese. Since then, the Chiang Mai province

has been a part of Thailand.

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Doi SuthepThe first Lanna pagoda

constructed on a mountain,

Phra That Doi Suthep

Pagoda, contains relics of the

Lord Buddha, Chiang Mai’s

most venerated treasure.

Considered part of Chiang

Mai’s architectural heritage, this pagoda captivates every

eye with its glittering gold embellishments. Go up to the

temple by climbing the Naga stairway comprising 185

steps. This Naga staircase is one of the most popular

photography backdrops in Chiang Mai. From the temple,

overlook the city which is even more illuminated at night.

Located only 4 km away is Phu Ping Winter Palace. The

gardens of the palace grounds are open for the general

public when the royal family is not in the residence.

Doi PuiDoi Pui is a mountain

contiguous with Doi Suthep. If

you intend to visit Doi Suthep,

this makes a worthwhile stop

off. The Hmong people has long

been settled here, and close to

the urban center compared with other hill tribes. While

outside the village there are many dried and preserved fruit

shops, traditional tribal architecture and gardening still

persist. Visit the Tribal Museum and test your aim with

traditional tribal wooden guns.

San Kamphaeng Hot SpringsMany of the hot springs have boiling temperature where

even eggs can be cooked. Another spectacular sight is a

natural fountain with a 20 meter high water jet. High in

minerals known for their

curative powers, many types

of bathing facilities are

available from mineral water

bathing, swimming pools, to a

mineral stream for free

dipping.

Chiang Mai Night SafariChiang Mai Night Safari was established as an evening and

night attraction. Chiang Mai

Night Safari is committed to

be a world class destination

and is constantly upgrading to

international standards. The

exhibition zone is divided in

three main areas: Savanna

Safari, Predator Prowl, and

Jaguar Trail. Chiang Mai Night Safari is located in the Doi

Suthep-Pui National Park area in the Chiang Mai province.

The total area in 131 hectares.

Wat Phra SinghLocated within the city walls,

dating from 1345, it is an

example of northern Thai

architecture. It houses the

Phra Singh Buddha, a highly

venerated figure, transferred

here many years ago from

Chiang Rai. This temple is one of the most important in the

city. Visitors can also take part in meditation classes at set

times.

Chiang Mai ‘Rose of the North’

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GeographyThe geographical features of the National Park consists of high mountains, including Doi Inthanon, which is the

highest mountaintop in Thailand (2,565 meters above the sea level), followed by Doi Huamodluang (2,330 meters

above the sea level). Doi Inthanon is the source of many rivers including Mae Klang, Mae Pakong, Mae Pon, Mae

Hoi, Mae Ya, Mae Chaem, Mae Khan, and being part of Ping River, where the Bhumibol Dam is situated and

generating the electrical power.

ClimateSince the National Park is located at 2,565 meters above the sea level, it has cold

weather and high humidity throughout the year, particularly on the top of the National

Park. In winter, the temperature at the National Park is below zero C. And in summer,

despite hot weather in central Chiang Mai and nearby districts, it is still freezing on the

top of Doi Inthanon, and tourists should be prepared with warm clothes.

ForestsThe forest of the park is one of the country's most important heritages. including

moist evergreen forest, pine forest, and mixed deciduous species, teak, mountain

pine, etc. There are many beautiful flowers including vanda, phycastylis, and

rhododendron. Mosses such as sphagnum and osmanda are found at higher

elevations. Royal Projects assist the villagers grow cold-climate fruit such as

strawberries, grapes, and apples as well as flowers in the park. Wild animals in the

park include serows, gibbons, very few tigers, deer, wild pigs, hares, jungle fowl, and goral. Because of its

altitude and the cool climate in its upper reaches, the park supports the largest number of bird species in Thailand.

The Center for Wildlife Research at Mahidol University recorded a total of 362 species. In addition, there are

many migrants from northern Asia seen at the summit areas. Species restricted to Doi Inthanon are Ashy-throated

Warbler and an endemic race of the green-tailed Sunbird.

Doi Inthanon National Park

For more information, please visit

www.abrantes.org

Edited by

Parichart Thongparkdee Abrantes

MBA in management

and business administration