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| North of Thailand - Chiang Mai
& Chiang Rai : |
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Chiang Mai, 700 kilometers
north of Bangkok, is Thailand's second largest city, but
is cooler and more relaxed than the capital. This "Rose
of the North" as it is known, is noted for its history,
culture and ancient temples, including the exquisitely peaceful
Doi Suthep. Chiang Mai is also unique for
its traditional handicrafts, created today in surrounding villages
as they have been for generations. North and west of Chiang
Mai, where Thailand meets with the borders of Myanmar (Burma)
and Laos, lies the Golden
Triangle, a region of rugged hills, forests and rivers.
Hidden away are the villages of many picturesque hill tribe
people, who retain their distinctive dress and customs. Historic
towns, such as Chiang Rai, Wat Thaton and Mae Hong
Son, are among the sightseeing highlights of this region,
while nature-lovers will surely enjoy the diversity of scenery |
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Chiang Mai was found by King Mengrai, who united several
tribes and called the new land Anachak Lanna, Chiang Mai was
the capital of Lanna Thai for a long time. It was often
attacked, for it was a rich prize. And in the course of time,
Chiang Mai came under the control of the powerful Ayutthaya
kingdom, and then of Burma. But in 1774, King Taksin recovered
it from Burma. Since then Chiang Mai has been a province of
Thailand. Popular tourist attractions in Chiang Mai consist
of Buddhist temples as well as remnants of a moat and fortified
gates which bear testimony to the city's eventful past. Among
the many temples, Doi Suthep monastery is perhaps the
most famous. Built in mid-14th century, it is situated on top
of a mountain, about 18 kilometers from the town. Leading
up to the wat is a 300-steps staircase with sinuous side-railings
in the shape of nagas. |
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| The staircase
itself comes at the end of a long, winding road up the mount,
which is a pleasant drive in fine weather. The view of the city
and its surrounding is indeed breath-taking. |
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| Chiang
Rai, "A scenic home of hilltribes", the second
famous town, located at the northern tip of Thailand, bordering
Myanmar (Burma) on the north and Laos in the east. Of its area
of 11,678 square kilometres, more than three quarters are mountains.
Chaing Rai, founded in 1263 by King Mengrai, is among the oldest
towns of Thailand. Most interestion attraction it, of course
visiting hilltribes villages and Golden Triangle -
world-famous place where the borders of Thailand, Burma and
Laos meet. You can stand at the very point where the Ruak River
from Burma flows into Mekong, to take a fine view of the rice
fields and the distant mountains. To experience the North more
fully excursions are recommended to Mae Hong Son. Both
are destinations in their own right, and it is best to allow
a couple of days for each. Mae Hong Son can be reached from
Chiang Mai by air or by road, the latter journey takes a full
day in each direction. |
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| The provincial
capital nestles in a valley sheltered by jungled mountains you
can find here very beautiful noteworthy temples. The most prominent,
the hilltop Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, dominates the capital.
The temple offers an exhilarating view of the provincial capital,
its verdant valley and mountain surrounds, and was constructed
by the first Mae Hong Son ruler during the mid-1800s. One of
the most exotic sights in Mae Hong Son is that of the Pa Dong
Karens, a hilltribe community farming rice, tea and tobacco.
Certain Pa Dong females 'elongate' their necks from an early
age with brass which is coiled around their necks to give a
brass ring effect. The greater number of coils is believed to
enhance physical beauty and increase aesthetic appeal. Older
women wear as many as 20, or more, brass coils around their
necks. |
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