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Chiang Mai
KNOWLEDGE OF Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both a city and a province. Blessed with rich natural beauty, almost 70 percent is covered by mountains and forests. The population of more than 1.5 million makes Chiang Mai one of Thailand's largest provinces. Estimates vary, but over 200,000 people dwell in the city, while hill tribes inhabit the surrounding mountain areas. To learn more about their history, visit the Tribal Museum, after which you might like to book yourself an organized trek to a hilltribe village.
The city has a long and rich history, which has been encapsulated in the National Museum. To trace its beginnings, we have to go back more than 700 years to Yunnan, a province in southern China. Many ethnic Thais lived in this region, the kingdom of Nanchao, from the middle of the 7th century. In 1254, Kublai Khan conquered their kingdom and forced them south a few hundred kilometers to what is now northern Thailand. The Thai immigrants founded many new towns in the region, the largest of which was Chiang Rai, about 100 miles north of present-day Chiang Mai. Here, King Mengrai of the Nanchao Kingdom created the Kingdom of Lanna, which means the Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields.
First, however, he had to contend with the Haripoonchai Kingdom, which had already been a lively center of culture, art, and religion for some 600 years. After Mengrai and his followers conquered Haripoonchai, they retained many of its beautiful architectural styles and Buddhist art forms. Indeed, the Haripoonchai Kingdom significantly influenced the architecture of northern Thailand. This can be best appreciated in the small town of Lamphun, approximately 25 kilometers south of Chiang Mai, where, perhaps, the most outstanding example is Wat Phra That Haripoonchai.
Mengrai’s new kingdom quickly grew large, but it was restricted to what is now northern Thailand. A larger Thai kingdom, established by King Ramkamhaeng, ruler of Sukhothai, simultaneously flourished in the south. Fortunately the two leaders were on friendly terms and both kingdoms grew strong.
In 1291, King Mengrai wanted a new capital. He chose a location on the rich farming land between the Suthep mountain range and the Mae Ping river. The city spread out. A wall was built and a defensive moat encircled the city. Thus was the beginning of the ancient city of Chiang Mai. Strong gates, many of which are still present today, were constructed, along with Wat Chiang Man, a temple standing in the northeastern corner of the old part of town. It is here that Mengrai spent the last years of his life. It affords a great example of the beautiful northern Thai Lanna style. Another notable temple, tracing its roots from 1345, is Wat Phra Singh on the western side of the city. The original building has been added to over the centuries, but the temple is home to the Phra Sihing Buddha--a golden Buddha said to have been cast in Sri Lanka in A.D. 360. Another old temple is Wat Chedi Luang located in the southern part of the old city. Originally comprising four smaller temples, it bears an elegant chedi (spire) constructed in 1381, which stands where the original Chiang Mai city pillar once stood. Today the temple serves as a center for Buddhist learning in Chiang Mai.
The city has a long and rich history, which has been encapsulated in the National Museum. To trace its beginnings, we have to go back more than 700 years to Yunnan, a province in southern China. Many ethnic Thais lived in this region, the kingdom of Nanchao, from the middle of the 7th century. In 1254, Kublai Khan conquered their kingdom and forced them south a few hundred kilometers to what is now northern Thailand. The Thai immigrants founded many new towns in the region, the largest of which was Chiang Rai, about 100 miles north of present-day Chiang Mai. Here, King Mengrai of the Nanchao Kingdom created the Kingdom of Lanna, which means the Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields.
First, however, he had to contend with the Haripoonchai Kingdom, which had already been a lively center of culture, art, and religion for some 600 years. After Mengrai and his followers conquered Haripoonchai, they retained many of its beautiful architectural styles and Buddhist art forms. Indeed, the Haripoonchai Kingdom significantly influenced the architecture of northern Thailand. This can be best appreciated in the small town of Lamphun, approximately 25 kilometers south of Chiang Mai, where, perhaps, the most outstanding example is Wat Phra That Haripoonchai.
Mengrai’s new kingdom quickly grew large, but it was restricted to what is now northern Thailand. A larger Thai kingdom, established by King Ramkamhaeng, ruler of Sukhothai, simultaneously flourished in the south. Fortunately the two leaders were on friendly terms and both kingdoms grew strong.
In 1291, King Mengrai wanted a new capital. He chose a location on the rich farming land between the Suthep mountain range and the Mae Ping river. The city spread out. A wall was built and a defensive moat encircled the city. Thus was the beginning of the ancient city of Chiang Mai. Strong gates, many of which are still present today, were constructed, along with Wat Chiang Man, a temple standing in the northeastern corner of the old part of town. It is here that Mengrai spent the last years of his life. It affords a great example of the beautiful northern Thai Lanna style. Another notable temple, tracing its roots from 1345, is Wat Phra Singh on the western side of the city. The original building has been added to over the centuries, but the temple is home to the Phra Sihing Buddha--a golden Buddha said to have been cast in Sri Lanka in A.D. 360. Another old temple is Wat Chedi Luang located in the southern part of the old city. Originally comprising four smaller temples, it bears an elegant chedi (spire) constructed in 1381, which stands where the original Chiang Mai city pillar once stood. Today the temple serves as a center for Buddhist learning in Chiang Mai.
Chapi