Chiang Mai by Clemens
Chiang Mai was a quiet and peaceful place until the late 1960s, when the first industrial plants were built and many of the pretty old teakwood houses were replaced by modern concrete buildings and skyscrapers. The city has always been a favourite destination for tourists from other parts of Thailand, especially from Bangkok, who enjoy the cooler climate and the mountain scenery and in recent years it is becoming increasingly popular for tourists from other countries as well. Chiang Mai's heart is its Old City, an area surrounded by vestiges of walls and moats originally constructed for defense; yet Chiang Mai is a modern city with a growing infrastructure of modern shopping malls and condominiums. The contrast is part of the town's charm. Chiang Mai, with an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level, is situated approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers and is the country's second largest province. Chiang Mai has now become one of the most popular locations to visit for this festival. A variety of religious and fun-related activities (notably the good-natured city-wide water-fight) take place each year, along with parades and a Miss Songkran beauty competition. Chiang Mai also boasts Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon, which is 2575m above sea level. Check out some of the local markets in the Mueang district. In Chiang Mai you can enjoy wonderful Thai food in a setting that mirrors the beauty of Thailand.
