Chiang Mai Guide: AsiaForVisitors.com eGuides, #1

By Michael Holland

The real charm of Chiang Mai are the many forgotten lanes and temples, quite a few of which aren't even in the guidebooks. Take a leisurely stroll through the old walled city of Chiang Mai, the capital of the ancient kingdom of "Lanna", founded more than 700 years ago. Visit ancient temples, colorful fresh markets and other cultural attractions in this pleasant walking tour. In addition, this ebook covers several other 'hidden' gems of the ancient city, including colorful markets and the ruins of an even older city.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Holland
• Release date: Mar 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476490113

Michael Holland

Bangkok-based travel writer working throughout Southeast Asia.

Book preview

Chiang Mai Guide

A handy guide to the sights of Chiang Mai

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 by Michael Holland

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, and where permitted by law. Reviewers may quote brief passages in a review. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Michael Holland via AsiaForVisitors.com.

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Michael Holland is the author of Asia for Visitors, one of the largest on-line travel guides to Southeast Asia. With content covering Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the web site contains more than 5,000 pages of information complemented by more than 3,000 photographs. Asia for Visitors provides detailed, up to date information on popular tourist destinations as well as many off the beaten track locales, with step-by-step instructions on how to get there, where to stay and what to see.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Introduction to Chiang Mai

When To Go

Chiang Mai's Old City - A Walking Tour

Introduction

Tapae Gate

Sompet Market

Wat Chiang Man

Three Kings Monument

Chiang Mai Art and Culture Center

Wat Phra Singh

Wat Pan Tao

Wat Chedi Luang

The 'Hidden' Sights of Chiang Mai

Introduction

Wat Umong

Wat Suan Dok

Wat Jet Yod

Chiang Mai Markets

Wat Gate

Silver Temple

Wiang Kum Kam

Wat Pa Pao

Getting Around

Introduction

Taxi

Tuk-Tuk

Songtaew

Safety & Security

Safety and Security in Chiang Mai

End Notes

Thai Temple Terminology

Temple Etiquette

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Introduction

Chiang Mai, which in fact means New City, celebrated its 700th anniversary just a few years ago, in 1996. The city was founded by King Mengrai as the new capital of the kingdom of Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) in 1296. Lanna was one of the first Thai kingdoms in what is now Thailand. The ethnic Thais began migrating from southwestern China or northern Vietnam around 1000 AD. Before then, much of present-day Thailand was inhabited by the Mons, a people