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Chiang Mai is the ancient capital on the northern Thailand kingdom of Lan-na (meaning "one million rice fields"), a land made of valleys, rivers, mountains, and fertile regions. In this area, people from China, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar have for a long time traded goods and ideas in a picturesque fusion of cultures. This blend is all the more charming with the presence of tribal societies whose ethnic heritage does not know any political boundaries. Today Chiang Mai, thanks to its capacity to preserve untouched all its traditional charm, has became a favorite destinations of those eager to deeper their understanding of Yoga, mediation, Thai massage, Chinese medicine, and Eastern culture in general. Year by year, the number of alternative bookstores, vegetarian restaurants, and health shops grows. The city offers plenty of Bangkok-style amenities and comforts, such as cinemas, consulates, hospitals, technology, etc., although it is still very far from becoming a noisy, chaotic place. Chiang Mai has in excess of 300 temples, almost as many as Bangkok, of which 121 are located within the thetsabaan, or municipal limits – a feature that lends the old city center a visually striking appeal. Conservation measures include a ban on high-rise construction within 93 meters of temples, Mae Nam Ping River, and city wall moats, thereby protecting about 87 percent of the land within municipal limits. Chiang Mai also has the most comprehensive municipal recycling program in the country. You can find distribution of purified water, at a rate of 1 Baht per 1.5 liters. Getting around the City Chiang Mai lies on flat ground and for this reason is very pleasant to explore on bicycle. Bicycle rentals are easy to find and popular, due to the efficient and safer city system of one-way roads. If you decide to rent a bike, remember to use a helmet, both for your safety and the sake of your wallet: the fine is 500 Baht to ride without a helmet, and if police catch you, they are without mercy! Within the walls of the old city, it is easy to get around by shared taxi and it does not matter where you go, the price is always the same: 5 Baht. Food and Accommodation Chiang Mai offers a vast range of foods such as Indian, Muslim, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Thai, Tibetan, Chinese, and a good choice of delicious vegetarian restaurants, along with the traditional noodle dishes that you can find along the road. Accommodation ranges from 95-1,500 Baht (€2.50-36.50), according to your tastes and budget. One of the best choices may be a room in a traditional, old, and charming teak house run by a friendly Thai family. You can easily find such accommodation for approximately 150-200 Baht (about €3.50-5). Around Chiang Mai Many destinations can be easily reached in a one-day trip or weekend from the city, but if you are in love with nature, Chiang Mai will not disappoint you.
Three of the highest mountain peaks in Thailand are all found in Chiang Mai province: |