Help Wikitravel grow by contributing to an article. Learn how.

Chiang Mai Province

From Wikitravel

(Redirected from Chiang Mai (province))
Jump to: navigation, search

Chiang Mai Province is a region in Northern Thailand.

[edit] Cities

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Chiang Mai is situated at 300 meters above sea level in a large mountainous area. Located approximately 700km from Bangkok, Chiang Mai province is famed for its gloriously high mountain ranges, plentiful flora and fauna and crisp fresh weather. The province in Thailand is one of the country’s largest, covering 20,107 square kilometers.

The actual meaning of Chiang Mai itself is “new city” and it was founded as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom in 1296 by King Meng Rai. Chiang Mai not only acts as the capital of the kingdom, the province was established as the religious center of the north and so innumerable temples have been built.

[edit] Culture

The north of Thailand's culture is Lanna in origin and the people are very proud of their northern roots. The region is home to distinctly different food, music, arts, way of life and even language. Chiang Mai is also a melting pot of hill tribes and their own unique cultures.

Maintaining their traditional life-styles, the seven major hill-tribes of the Karen, Yao, Meo, Lisaw, Lawa, Lahu and Akha, live in relative isolation independent from Thai society. All of them, in their villages anyway, still wear their unique dresses, speak their own dialect and eat their own food.

  • Tai Yai, Burmese in origin, harvest rice, farm, raise cattle and trade. Their craftsmanship lies in weaving, pottery, wood carving and bronze ware.
  • Akha have the largest population of any hill tribe in the region. Originating from Tibet and Southern China, they dwell on high grounds around 1,200 meters above sea-level. Within their villages they build a Spirit Gateway to protect them from evil spirits.
  • Lahu are also from the Yunnese area and live in high areas. They are known as hunters and planters.

Karen live in various areas of the region which have valleys and riverbanks.

  • Hmong from southern China are located on high land. They raise livestock and grow rice, corn, tobacco and cabbage. They are also known for their embroidery and silver.
  • Tai Lue live in dwellings of usually only a single room wooden house built on high poles. They are skilled in weaving.
  • Lisaw from southern China and Tibet are renowned for their colorful dress and also build their dwellings on high poles. They harvest rice and corn and their men are skilled in hunting.
  • Yao reside along mountain sides and grow corn and other crops. They are skilled blacksmiths, silversmiths and embroiders.

Chiang Mai province is renowned as one of the world's top centers for the cottage industry. The area is a haven for traditional handicrafts made by craftsmen using skills which have been down through countless generations. They include: silverware, lacquerware, celadon pottery, silk and cotton, hand-painted paper umbrellas and more. For those interested they will have a fantastic time shopping.

[edit] Climate

The best time of the year to see Chiang Mai is from November to April where the weather is super-fresh and crispy and all the province's renowned flowers are out in full bloom. In fact, in the mountainous areas temperatures can dip down to freezing point. It doesn’t snow, but sleet is known to drop at times. One of the best times to visit Chiang Mai during this period is at Songkran (Thai New Year) as the town is synonymous with Songkran tradition, color and fun. During the hot season March to May temperatures especially in the city are high, going up to the high 30s. The rainy season in north is from June to October and trekking is not advised due to the chances of storms, winds and rains. From May to October there is a lot of rain but since the climate is tropical, the rain falls in quick heavy but short downpours.

[edit] Talk

[edit] Get in

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Itineraries

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!
Retrieved from "http://wikitravel.org/en/Chiang_Mai_Province"