Among the many places in Thailand, Chiangmai comes well recommended, and for very good reasons. Travelers point to the many amazing sights and things to do in this laidback city situated in the Himalayan foothills. For visitors exploring Thailand, Chiangmai never ceases to amaze. Small wonder luxury hotels (like Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai) near this destination are frequented by travelers who want to be near where the popular sights and activities are. With Buddhist temples and other historic sites to the majestic mountains, the handicrafts, the shopping finds, people, the food and bustling night life, Chiangmai offers no dull moment for the curious and adventuresome traveler.
While in Thailand, Chiangmai is the kind of place that will strike you as serene because most of the people are not rushing about as they do in other key cities around the world. It may as well be referred to as a pastoral paradise, the kind you are likely to read about in books. Imagine getting all cozy in a nice, well-appointed villa that looks out to hushed paddy-fields and lush hills and mountains beyond them. It's a perfect place to commune with nature and feel close to God. Actually, for people who visit Northern Thailand, Chiangmai offers respite as a spiritual haven. Pilgrims visit one of the most revered temples of the Thais - the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is actually an awe-inspiring 14th century Buddhist architectural showcase. The temple was erected in 1386 by King Keuna the Great. Legend has it that the temple's site was chosen when an elephant carrying half of a holy relic ascended the mountains after several days and circled the temple spot before kneeling down and dying. A visit to Thailand, Chiangmai particularly, will not be complete without seeing the sacred temple.
There are other lovely temples in Chiangmai. You can explore the oldest to the noblest ones, including the Wat Suan Dok, which holds the ashes of Chiang Mai's former Royal Family members. In another chapel lies one of Thailand's largest icons in metal - a 500-year old bronze Buddha. You may also want to visit the temple compound where the divine Lai Kham chapel, with its remarkable murals and woodcarvings, is situated,
For a dose of history, there is another must-see while exploring Thailand. Chiang Mai National Museum will fascinate you no end with its collection of Lanna Thai artworks, ancient, war weaponry, and antique Buddha images.
Shopaholics are also bound to have a heyday at Thailand's night bazaars. For those who would rather watch artisans at work in the villages, a number of cottage industries and handicrafts ranging from parasols, silk weaving, jewelry, woodcarving, silverware, and lacquerware, to name a few, may suit you fine.
Are you raring for an anthropological adventure? Try a river cruise that travels down The Chang pier. This is where elephants used to haul logs from the river in the old days. The pier derived its name from the king's elephants, which used to bathe on that site. You will see some of Thailand's firsts - first bridge, first post office, and other interesting sites and get a whiff of the including lifestyles of the locals who dwelled on opposite sides of the river, plus some historic spots along the riverbanks. All these you can enjoy at a leisurely pace. Check out online travel resources for Thailand and you are bound to have a fantastic experience you will be able to delightfully recount to your family and friends
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep
The temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is certainly one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai, as well as one of the most revered among all Thais. The temple is a major pilgrimage destinations during the important Buddhist holidays of Makha Buja and Visak. Its importance, as well as its location, owes much to the legend of its founding.
According to this legend, a Buddha relic, which some say glowed, magically replicated just before it was about to be enshrined in the big chedi at Wat Suan Dok. The "cloned" relic was placed on the back of a sacred white elephant, which was allowed to roam where-ever it wanted.
More details from around 1989.
The elephant eventually climbed to the top of Suthep Mountain, trumpeted three times, turned around three times, knelt down and died. This was taken as a sign that this was the spot where the relic wanted to be, so King Ku Na built the original of the chedi on Doi Suthep at the end of 14th century.
The chedi and courtyard after its first big renovation in 1992.
The temple grew and changed in the 600 years since its founding. In particular, it was extensively renovated in the economic "boom" years of the early 1990's. From our admittedly western viewpoint, a lot of the charm has been lost as everything was covered in granite and gold. However, the temple remains an important sight that first-time visitors to Chiang Mai shouldn't miss.
The chedi sits in a rather small courtyard at the very peak of the mountain. The courtyard building sits on a larger plaza containing several buildings as well as a lookout point from which you can see, weather permitting, all of Chiang Mai and the surrounding plain.
The chedi in 1999.
Among the buildings on the plaza is a small museum displaying old pieces of temple wares as well as some of the more ancient or unique monetary donations to the temple. Note that before entering the courtyard containing the chedi, you must remove your shoes. You must also be dressed appropriately, although the temple can provide some clothing on loan to cover up your naughty knees and slinky shoulders.
Now for the bad news: To reach the temple itself requires a climb up a naga staircase of 309 steps. For the faint of heart, there's also a funicular cable-car to the top which has just been re-built after several fatal crashes. The fare for the new improved funicular is 20 Baht.
At the base of stairs, where cars and motorcycles park, there is a large market of food stalls, jade factories and endless relentless souvenir sellers.
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Really amazing...
Keep it up