Chiangmai

Experiencing the merging of the past into the present in Chiang Mai, where locals are proud of the city’s 700-year history, is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is located some 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.

In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city. It has several attractions for the approximately 1 million visitors who come each year. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its strategic location on the Ping river as well as trade routes. Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as a major center for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry (particularly silver) and woodcarving.

Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Introduction

More than 700 km northwest of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city and is more than 700 years old. Allow a day or two to wander around the city, see its temples and extensive night bazaar which offers Thai and northern Thai clothes, fabrics, crafts, jewelry and antiques. A 15-minute ride in any direction will lead you into the countryside. One of the most obvious trips is to the 1,676-metre-high mountain, Doi Suthep, where you can see one of the region's most revered temples, complemented by magnificent views of the Chiang Mai valley. Chiang Mai has the region's most developed infrastructure for hill trekking, river rafting, elephant riding and mountain biking. The prime trekking seasons are from November to February and from June to July. Karen, Hmong, Akha and Yao hill tribes live in the hills around Chiang Mai. Exciting annual festivals include the week long Winter Fair in late December, the Flower Festival in February and Songkran in April.

Attraction

This national park which covers an area of 1,005 square kilometers is located on Doi Inthanon, also known as Loi Lar Mountain Range or Daen Lao Range, Thailand’s highest mountain which is 2,565 meters above sea level. Located between Mae Chaem and Chom Thong, the park is comprised of the largest tract of upper mountain forest which ranges across Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and ends in Northern Thailand. The mountain ranges gave birth to the main tributaries of the Ping river and formed the beautiful waterfalls, namely Siriphum, Wachirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Klang and Mae Ya. The moist and dense evergreen forest is abundant with lichens and wild orchids. The park is also a paradise for bird lovers.

Visiting Doi Inthanon is possible throughout the year however, the best period for viewing the waterfalls is May through November while the best period for viewing wild flowers is December through February and for ornithologists is November through March.

Doi Inthanon National Park consists of many interesting attractions; for example, Namtok Mae Ya, Namtok Mae Klang, Tham Bori Chinda, The Tourist Centre, Namtok Wachirathan, Namtok Siriphum, Doi Inthanon Royal Project, Doi Inthanon Peak, Namtok Mae Pan, Namtok Huai Sai Lueang, Natural Study trek on Doi Inthanon Kiu Mae Pan, and Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail.