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 CHIANG
MAI
“Nopphaburi Si Nakhon Ping Chiang Mai”
(new town) was established by King Mengrai in 1292. Two
hundred years later, the city was subdued by a Burmese
invasion and became Burma's vassal state in 1558. In 1774,
Chiang Mai was liberated by King Taksin and became part of
Siam and once again capital of Lanna (a million rice fields)
an independent princedom, tributary to Bangkok. Today,
Chiang Mai is the largest city of northern Thailand
possessing unique cultural characteristics surrounded by
truly magnificent natural beauty. Chiang Mai is also a
centre of learning, art, antiques, and the ancient tradition
of Lanna. An increasing number of tourists, both Thai and
foreign, visit again and again, impressed by the hospitality
and talent of the people, reflected in various silk, silver,
sa paper products, hand made cotton and silk, wood carving,
ceramics and other handicrafts – and, of course, the food.
Recently, Chiang Mai people were proud that their city
was voted to be one of the top five destination cities in
the world. (Ref. Travel+Leisure Magazine, U.S.A.)
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 Geography
Chiang Mai is situated at 300
metres above sea level in a large mountainous area. The
province encompasses approximately 20,000 square kilometres.
Chiang Mai is separated from Bangkok by 700 kilometres of
highway or 761 kilometres of railway. Chiang Mai province is
located between the northern latitude 17-21 and the eastern
longitude 98 – 99. Chiang Mai’s northern border of 277
kilometres of mountain range separates Chiang Mai’s Fang and
Mae Ai districts from Myanmar’s Chiang Tung State. In some
parts of northern Chiang Mai, the Kok River plays the role
of the border between Chiang Mai and Myanmar. In the east,
Chiang Mai is bordered by Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun
provinces. The south of Chiang Mai is separated from Tak
province by the Mae Tuen River and also borders Lamphun
province. To the west lies Mae Hong Son province.
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