Chiang Mai travel guide — Chiang Mai tourism and travel information

Chiang Mai travel guide

about Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai (in Thai เชียงใหม่), also sometimes referred to as "Chiengmai", is the second-largest city in Thailand, and the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It lies some 800km 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. Chiang Mai also serves as the capital of the Chiang Mai province.

Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city, although it lacks the cosmopolitan gloss of Bangkok. It has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come to the city each year. Chiang Mai's historic strength derived from its important strategic location on the ancient Silk Road, and long before the recent influx of foreign visitors the city served as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewellery (particularly silver) and woodcarving.

Chiang Mai's population is estimated at about 250,000. Much higher figures sometimes appear, but these may arise from confusion with Chiang Mai Province. The city is nevertheless growing rapidly, and its actual population probably exceeds the official estimate.

Chiang Mai history

King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296 and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lannathai kingdom. Lannathai constructed a moat and a wall around the city to protect it against raids from Burma. After the decline of the Lannathai kingdom the city lost importance, and often sufferred occupation by either the Burmese or by the Thais from Ayutthaya. After the fall of Ayutthaya in April 1767 the city emerged so much depopulated due to the wars that its citizens deserted it for fifteen years (1776 - 1791). Lampang functioned as the capital of the Lannathai for that time.

Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam only in 1774 when King Taksin captured the city from the Burmese. After this date Chiang Mai rose in both cultural, trading and economic terms to gradually adopt its current status as the capital of the north of Thailand, second only in national importance to Bangkok.

Near cities to Chiang Mai

• Chiang Rai travel guide 150 km
• Loei travel guide 310 km
• Luang travel guide 350 km
• Nakhon Sawan travel guide 370 km
• Vientiane travel guide 390 km
• Udon Thani travel guide 430 km
• Lop Buri travel guide 480 km
• Khon Kaen travel guide 480 km
• Kanchanaburi travel guide 530 km
• Nakhon Ratchasima travel guide 540 km

Near webcams to Chiang Mai

• Ko Samui - Chaveng Beach webcam 1 000 km
• Hongkong webcam 1 600 km
• Hongkong webcam 1 600 km
• Hongkong webcam 1 600 km
• Victoria Harbour webcam 1 600 km
• Hong Kong webcam 1 600 km
• Hong Kong - Victoria Harbour webcam 1 600 km
• Hongkong webcam 1 600 km
• Hongkong - Victoria park webcam 1 600 km
• Singapore - Sentosa webcam 2 000 km

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Chiang Mai travel services

cheap flights to Chiang Mai

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cheap Chiang Mai hotels

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cheap Chiang Mai vacations

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cheap car rentals in Chiang Mai

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Chiang Mai travel insurance

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Chiang Mai real estate

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City Travel Guide comes with Chiang Mai real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Chiang Mai property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in Thailand, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Chiang Mai.

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Chiang Mai travel books

Chiang Mai travel guide books

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Chiang Mai maps and atlases

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