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| Home » Thailand Travel Guide »
Chiang Mai
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| DESTINATION THAILAND |
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CHIANG MAI
GUIDE |
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 ATRACTIONS IN
CHIANG MAI |
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| HIGHLIGHTS IN
CHIANG MAI |
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| QUICK GUIDANCE |
| The breathtaking landscapes, beautiful coastlines, cultural delights and historical significance, make Thailand an enjoyable stop in Asia travel map. To help you plan a trip in Chiang Mai - Thailand, we provide the useful guide of hotel options, package tours, transport, attractions, shopping and entertainment. You just click the sections below for helpful information. |
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CHIANG MAI PROVINCE OVERVIEW |
| Geography |
Demographics |
Telephone |
Capital:Chiang Mai
Location: Northern
Area: 20,107.0 km2
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Population: 1,649,457
Density: 82.03/km2
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Calling code |
| Town and Districts |
| Chiang Mai ,Chom Thong, Mae Chaem ,Chiang Dao, Doi Saket ,Mae Taeng,Mae Rim ,Samoeng ,Fang ,Mae Ai ,Phrao , San Pa Tong ,San Kamphaeng ,San Sai, Hang Dong ,Hot ,Doi Tao, Omkoi ,Saraphi ,Wiang Haeng ,Chai Prakan,Mae Wang , Mae On |
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| General Information
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Chiang Mai is the second-biggest province of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan State of Myanmar.
Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand, about 720 kilometers from Bangkok at an elevation of 1,027 feet (310 meters) above sea level. To the North it borders Myanmar’s Shan State while to the South it connects with Sam Ngao district of Tak province. Chiang Rai, Lamphun and Lampang lie to the East, and the West touches Pai, Khun Yuam and Mae Sareang districts of Mae Hong Sorn province.
Chiang Mai’s geography comprises mainly groves and mountains with a broad plain in the middle of the region on both sides of Ping River. This river , one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, originates in the Chiang Dao mountains. The highest mountain of Thailand, the 2,575 meter high Doi Inthanon, is located in the district. Several national parks are in the district: Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui, Mae Ping, Sri Lanna, Huay Nam Dang, Mae Phang, Chiang Dao.
The province covers an area of 20,107.057 square kilometers (12,566,910 ), made up of 8,787,656 (69.92%) of forest, 1,611,283 (12.82%) of agricultural land and 2,167,971 (17.25%) of residential and other land.
Chiang Mai, known as Nophaburi Sri Nakhon Ping or Viang Ping Chiang Mai (Rose of the North) in ancient chronicles, was founded as the capital of the Lan Na Thai (Kingdom of a Million Ricefields) by King Mengrai in 1296 A.D. The city you see today, which celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996, has evolved over many centuries. It is now the second most important city in the country after Bangkok and the main city in the northern region. It is a city of ancient arts and crafts continuing the proud tradition of Lan Na Thai.
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CHIANG MAI PROVINCE PEOPLE |
| With a population of 1,547,085 Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's largest provinces. Of the above number, 170,348 are currently living in Chiang Mai's city area with the rest distributed throughout Chiang Mai's 21 districts, 2 sub-districts. 80% of the people in Chiang Mai are locals by birth, and speak a dialect that is a slight variation of the central Thai language. The remaining 20% is made up of Thai nationals and foreigners who have moved to Chiang Mai to work, study, or retire.
There are many hilltribe people living in the mountainous districts surrounding Chiang Mai such as Omkoi, Mae Jam, Chiang Dao, and Mae Ai. Statistics reported by the Tribal Research Institute of Chiang Mai stated that in the year 1992 there were 1,049 hilltribe villages in the Chiang Mai province, constituting a total of 174,195 people. Of this amount, 106,116 were from the Karen tribe, 27,392 from the Lahu (Musur) tribe, 17,198 from the Hmong (Meo) tribe, 10,873 form the Lisu tribe, 8,862 from the Lua tribe, 2,609 from the Akha tribe, 1,145 from the Mien (yao) tribe, and 485 from the Palong tribe. The hilltribe people are agricultural; planting fields, raising animals, and hunting for a living. Since each tribe has its own culture and language, they blanket the hills of Chiang Mai with an interesting patchwork quilt of diverse variety.
The majority (80%) of the Chiang Mai people earn a living through agriculture and agricultural related professions. The second largest vocation is tourism and its directly and indirectly related jobs. General commerce and industry, mainly in the form of handicrafts, and of processing agricultural products are the two other major professions in which the Chiang Mai people are involved.
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GETTING IN - OUT
CHIANG MAI PROVINCE |
*Car : The drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is approximately 8 hours. There are several routes:
The route 1: Highway No.1 (Phahonyothin) and turn left to Highway No.32 (Asian Highway) which passes Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, and Nakhon Sawan, then take Highway No. 117 to Phitsanulok and Highway No. 11 to Lampang, Lamphun and Chiang Mai. The total distance is 695 kilometers.
The route 2: From Nakhon Sawan, take Highway No. 1 passing Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang, and Chiang Mai. Total distance is 696 kilometers.
*Bus: The bus services from Bangkok are ordinary, 2nd class and 1st class air-conditioned buses leaving for Chiang Mai daily (8.00 a.m. to 09.00 p.m.) from the Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal). Call 02 936 3600, 02 936 2852, and 02 937 8055 for a more updated bus timetable. Private buses, which can be conveniently booked in tourist-oriented places in Bangkok, are also available. However, the public buses from the Northern Bus Terminal are generally more reliable. The journey takes approximately 10-12 hours, depending on traffic.
The bus services from Chiang Mai is available at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station. The destinations include Golden Triangle, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Lampang, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Mae Hong Son (both old and new routes), Mae Sot, Mae Sariang, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), and Udon Thani.
* Train: The express and rapid trains operated by the State Railways of Thailand leave for Chiang Mai from Bangkoks Hua Lamphong Station 6 times a day from 8.00 a.m.-10.00 p.m. The trip takes about 11-12 hours for express trains.
* Plane: The domestic airlines including Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Nok Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Air Andaman and Phuket Air operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The Thai Airways also operates domestic flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Phuket. International flights to and from Chitakong, Luang Phrabang, Khunming, Yangon and Japan (Narita) are also provided. The Bangkok Airways also offers several flights daily on the Bangkok - Chiang Mai route, some with a stopover at Sukhothai. International routes to and from Jinghong and XiAn are also available. The Phuket Air offers 2 daily shuttle service flights from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with YS-11 aircraft. The journey takes only 40 minutes and the flight times are at 07.30 a.m. and 6.00 p. m. The Nok Air call 1318 or visit www.nokair.co.th for reservations. Apart from Bangkok-Chiang mai flight, the airlines also operate flights between Chiang mai and Udon Thani twice a week.
There are also some foreign Airlines operating flights from Chiang Mai to several destinations. They are
Air Mandalay operates flights between Chiang Mai and Yangon on Sundays and Thursdays. Mandarin Airlines operates flights between Chiang Mai and Taipei three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Lao Airlines operates flights on the Chiang Mai Luang Phrabang route three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Silk Air operates flights between Chiang Mai Singapore three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
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GETTING AROUND
CHIANG MAI PROVINCE |
* Taxi: There is a licensed airport taxi service available at the taxi kiosk outside the baggage-claim area. Purchase a ticket and present it to the drivers waiting by the arrivals exit area. The trip will cost approximately 100 bahts for a sedan car. If you want to go from the airport, train station and bus terminal, you can easily get a song taew (red mini-bus). To charter a minibus or car, please check the correct fare at the TAT counter first.
* Tuk Tuk: In Chiang Mai, you can take a sam lor or tuk-tuk (a tricycle) for short distance. The fares must be bargained in advance.
* Song taew: This is the most common means of transportation in town. Passengers can hop in and out as they wish. Simply tell the driver the destination and negotiate the price before boarding.
* Bicycles: This basic transport is preferred by some travelers who ride a bicycle around the city as most of the roads and alleys are accessible by bicycle. Bicycles can be rented from bicycle shops and certain guesthouses.
* Rental cars: All major car rental companies such as AVIS, Budget, and Hertz, as well as Thai car rental companies are ready to provide suggestions on travel itineraries. The easiest way to locate a car rental company is to ask at the airport or the hotel, as those are the places where most companies are located. |
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CHIANG MAI PROVINCE RESOURCES |
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TRAVEL TIPS |
Climate
The weather in Chiang Mai is relatively cool all year round, with an average temperature of 25oC. Temperatures typically range between 20oC and 31oC. The relative humidity averages 72%, and annual rainfall is normally 1,000-1,200 mm.
The cool season from late October to end of February with average temperature 21oC and much cooler at night. The coldest months are December and January. The hot season from early March to end of May with average temperature 29.9oC. The hottest month is April. The rainy Season from early June to end of October with average temperature 25.5oC. The wettest month is September.
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CHIANG MAI PROVINCE ECONOMY |
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| Northern Thailand |
| Chiang Mai - Chaing Dao - Mae Ai , Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Chaing Saen , Lampang, Lamphun , Mae Hong Son - Pai ,
Nan ,
Phayao, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok , Phrae , Sukhothai - Sisatchanalai, Tak - Maesot, Buriram , Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom,
Nakhon Ratchasima,
Nong Khai , Surin, Ubon Ratchathani , Udon Thani , Yasothon |
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| Central Thailand |
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Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi - Sai Yok , Lop Buri, Nakhon Phathom, Nonthaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan - Hua Hin,
Phetchaburi - Chaam ,
Ratchaburi, Chanthaburi , Chon Buri - Pattaya, Rayong - Ko Samet, Trat - Koh Chang , Lop Buri |
| Southern Thailand |
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Chumphon, Krabi - Ao Nang - Ko Phi Phi - Rai Leh , Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat,Pattani,
Phang Nga - Ao Phang Nga - Khao Lak, Phatthalung, Phu ket - Karon Beach -Patong Beach , Ranong, Satun - Tarutao,
Songkhla,
Surat Thani - Ko Pha Ngan - Ko Samui , Trang, Yala |
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