Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai Hotel

Set in over 60 acres of landscaped gardens, we offer a self contained world of beauty, incorporating serene paddy fields and exotic plantations. Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi is Chiang Mai’s only luxury hotel and resort where you can enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful spas and surround yourself with the rich heritage of the Lanna Kingdom. It is 10 km to the centre of Chiang Mai
The design of our suites, villas and residences is a visual journey through the history of the Lanna region, from the glory of northern Thailand to the influences of neighbouring Myanmar, China and Laos and the introduction of colonial architecture. We offer our guests the choice of private two-floor villas, colonial-style suites or the grandeur of our Residences. All of our spacious suites and villas have separate sitting areas and generously proportioned bathrooms and some villas feature private outdoor plunge pools. Throughout our resort, we offer an atmosphere of culture and calm, with the display of beautiful artifacts from our private collection amidst the welcome shroud of lush tropical greenery.

Deluxe Villa with Pool As the name suggests, the finest of all villas special for honeymoon couple with specific lucky room number comes with a very private pool and outdoor Jacuzzi together with the ultimate luxury of vast living space, which makes it hard to ever leave (even to go for breakfast). Other additional features are an outdoor deck, in-room massage area and upper terrace for sun bathing. This villa is approximately 244 square meters/2623 square feet.
Colonial Suite

These luxurious suites feature a King or Twin bedroom, a living room which leads out onto a 22 square meter / 235 square feet terrace overlooking the gardens, and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub and separate shower stall. Connecting rooms, and rooms for those with special needs, are also available. The suites measure approximately 88 square meters/964 square feet.

Grand Deluxe Villa with Plunge Pool

This ultra luxurious two-storey teak wood Villa is facing the rice paddy fields. The ground floor’s additional features are a dining room, steam shower, massage area and your very own private plunge pool with a sun deck. The spacious bedroom upstairs comes with high ceiling and a King Bed. There is a separate study room and the usual bathroom luxurious features such as the whirlpool tub. This villa is approximately 200 square meters/2150 square feet.

Grand Deluxe Villa with Plunge Pool

This ultra luxurious two-storey teak wood Villa is facing the rice paddy fields. The ground floor’s additional features are a dining room, steam shower, massage area and your very own private plunge pool with a sun deck. The spacious bedroom upstairs comes with high ceiling and a King Bed. There is a separate study room and the usual bathroom luxurious features such as the whirlpool tub. This villa is approximately 200 square meters/2150 square feet.

Farang Ses Restaurant

Serving the finest French cuisine in Thailand, the restaurant is located in a magnificent Thai teak pavilion overlooking the resort’s paddy fields.

Fitness Centre

Colonial pool

Kids Rice Planting

Oriental Culinary Academy

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Chiang Mai Flower Festival

If you are obsessed with beautiful flowers and decorative plants, this is the festival for you. Experience these beautiful flower-decorated floats and a magnificent tapestry of floral splendor that blankets the land. There are also agricultural exhibitions, floral contents, and product sales by local groups of housewives.

The Chiang Mai Folwer Festival started every year during the first weekend in February . The city is awash with vibrant colors ranging from the electric orange and lilac colors of the bougainvillea to the velvety blossoms of petunias in all shades of pink, white and purple. The strident red of the poinsettias, bought by many at Christmas and New Years, is echoed by beds of scarlet salvias. Homes and shop owners alike line the city streets with colorful flower boxes. The sheer profusion of color that the flower festival and carnival brings to Chiang mai aptly gives the city its name “Rose of the North”.

A highlight of the festival is the grand parade that attracts sponsoring companies and organisations that beautify floats with elaborate flower decorations, presenting an eco-tourism message or just simply stealing the hearts of spectators with their vivid colours and beauty.

The parade leads up to the annual beauty competition to crown the city’s flower queen, who represents the flower growers and exporters as an ambassador of good will.

The Chiang Mai Folwer Festival starting at the railway station, passing through Nawarat Bridge throughout the main city streets and finally setting at Nong Buak Hat Park with flower displays, gardening technique shows, and of course flower for sale.
Entertainment, an opportunity to dine on tasty northern snacks and view cultural performances are clearly features that draw both visitors and locals to this annual event.

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Doi Inthanon National Park Chiang Mai

Doi Inthanon is thailand's most famous national park that cover 1005 square kilometers and is located between amphoe chom Thong, Amphoe San Pa Tong and Amphoe Mae Chame of Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain that stands 2565 meters above sea level, is part of the park. The park has the largest tract of upper mountain forest that originates in the main tributaries of the Mae Ping River, forming beautiful waterfalls, namely Siriphum, Wachirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Klang and Mae Ya. The moist and dense evergreen forest is abundant with lichens and wild orchids and offers marvellous sights featuring chestnuts, oaks, magnolias, epiphytic flowers and wild orchids. This national park is a paradise for birdwatchers where many kinds of birds are found such as Blue-winged Minlas, Green Cochoas, Red-headed Trogons, Green-tailed Sunbirds and Ashy-throated Warblers. Many endemic species of mammal can also be found in the park such as the Szechuan Burrowing Shrew.

Doi Inthanon National Park itself lies roughly 90 minutes drive southwest of Chiang Mai and is popular for its magnificent waterfalls, flora and excellent views. You can drive all the way to the top, where stately chedis have been erected in honour of the present King and Queen of Thailand. The climate up at the top is almost alpine and cool at all times of the year, with sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures in winter.

On the top of Doi Inthanon are the Royal Chedis, from where you can have sweeping views of the valley below, especially Mae Chaem. However, cloud cover is the norm and visibility may be poor. The chedis commemorate the 60th birthday of the King and Queen and contain Buddha images and tiled murals.

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Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Chiang Mai

Wat Prathat doi suthep , Thsis Buddhist temple is situated on top of the eastern mountain included in Dio Suthep-Pui National Park , which is 262.5 Square Km in extent, overlooks Chiang Mai city 15 km below. There is a 300 step staircase that leads up the mountain to the temple , and for those who wish to access the temple quickly there is an elevator. The full length fo the staircase on either side has the body of a dragon,with the dragon heads at the botton fo the stairs. Because of the high altitude, the weather on the upper slopes of the mountains is cool and pleasant all year round, average temperature is about 20-23 c.In the cool season, the air is cold and clear.Temperature can drop as low as 6 c in February . August and September are the wettest months whith daily rain falls.This is one of Thailand's most revered Temples and must be visited. It takes 30 minutes to get there.

Legend of Wat Prathat doi suthep

According to legend, a monk named Sumanathera from Sukhothai had a dream; in this dream god told him to go to Pang Cha and look for a relic. Sumanathera ventured to Pang Cha and is said to have found a bone, which many claim was Buddha's shoulder bone. The relic displayed magical powers; it glowed, it was able to vanish, it could move itself and replicate itself. Sumanathera took the relic to King Dharmmaraja who ruled the Sukhothai.

The eager Dharmmaraja made offerings and hosted a ceremony when Sumanathera arrived. However the relic displayed no abnormal characteristics, and the king, doubtful of the relic's authenticity, told Sumanathera to keep it.

However, King Nu Naone of the Lanna Kingdom heard of the relic and offered the monk to take it to him instead. In 1368 with Dharmmaraja's permission, Sumanathera took the relic to what is now Lamphun, in northern Thailand. The relic apparently split in two, one piece was the same size, the other was smaller than the original. The smaller piece of the relic was enshrined at a temple in Suandok. The other piece was placed by the King on the back of a white elephant which was released in the jungle. The elephant is said to have climbed up Doi Suthep, at the time called Doi Aoy Chang (Sugar Elephant Mountain), trumpeted three times before dying at the site. It was interpreted as a sign and King Nu Naone ordered the construction of a temple at the site.

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Chiang Mai Loi Kratong (Yi Peng) Festival

Loi Kratong Festival, which is also known as Yi Peng in the Chiang Mai, is the most colorful festival of the year. 'Yee' is means 'two' and 'Peng' is means 'Full moon' The festival is usually held on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. It takes place over three days of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, which is usually in November. The festival may have evolved from Brahmanic rites to honor the dead as well as local rites to bring an end to the rains.

Though legends suggest it was established by the time of King Tilokarat in the late 15th century, the origins of this festival prior to the 19th century are uncertain.

Kratong, Chiang Mai, Thailand Now people generally believe that by releasing floats and balloons they get rid of bad luck and give thanks to the water and heavenly elements. Older folks may say that it is to show gratitude to the Goddess of the River - Mae Khong Kha - for use of the water.

For the three nights of the festival people release small floats - Kratong - made of disks cut from the banana tree stem and banana leafs, with offerings that include incense, flowers, candles and money into the rivers and lakes. The Ping River becomes a stream of lights floating gently with the current. Small hot air balloons rise like lanterns high into the sky, complementing the floats drifting on the waters. Fireworks are let of everywhere, particularly on the banks of the Ping River, and there is a parade each night in Chiang Mai.

Float, Chiang Mai, Thailand The Loi Kratong festival begins the day before the full moon. People decorate the entrances of there houses with coconut branches, banana leafs, sugar-cane lanterns and colored paper. As dusk falls people light earthen lamps placed along the walls of their property and the fireworks start. The lantern parade takes place on Wang Sing Kham Road between Nawarat Bridge and Nakhorn Ping Bridge.

On the morning of the day of the full moon, people present offerings at the temples before releasing large hot air balloons from temple grounds. A competition for the best balloon is held in front of Chiang Mai Hall on Wang Sing Kham Road. Boat races are held on the river.

The colorfully lit floats form a long glittering parade as they make their ways to the Ping River. Meanwhile, up above thousands of 'khom loy' (floating lanterns) drift into the night sky. These large balloon-like lanterns are released at temples and sometimes from private homes in the hope that misfortune flies away with them.

In the year 2009 Loi Krathong Festival will be held on November 1 – 3. The hightlight of the event is the procession of big Krathong Contest passing along The Pae Road throught Warorot Market up to in front of the municipal office and the launching Krathong on the Ping River.
The Chiang Mai municipality together with other agencies both public and private sector organizes many attractive to create a new perception of the festival and preservation of local identily of Lanna people. The activities include a grand show Light & Sound presentation on the Ping River and local lanterns decolations aimed to promote the cultural heritage of Chiang Mai that has long history for 713 years.

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Chiang Mai People

The people of Chiang Maivary. The majority are farmers and artisans who speak their own melodic dialects and have their intrinsic traditions, festivals, architectural styles, original handicrafts, classical dances and distinguished cuisine. Hill tribes add to the variety by having a wealth of ancestral culture.

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Chiang Mai Weather and Temperature

Chiang Mai has 3 major seasons. The cool season begins in last October and lasts throughout Febuary with an average temperature of 21 c , usually cooler at night. The coldest months are December and January. The hot season begins in early March and lasts through to the end of May with an average temperature of 29.9 c. The hottest month is April. The rainy season begins in early June and lasts through to the end of October with an average temperature of 25.5 c with frequent rains in September.

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Chiang Mai Land and Nature

One of Chiang Mai's distinctions is the proximity of Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, that stands 2575 meters above sea level. Most of Chiang Mai's land features mountains and forests from north to south, creating a multitude of streams and tributaries. These include Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang. Chiang Mai also has flat, fertile valleys spread along the banks of the largest and most important river in the province, the Ping River, which originates in the Chiang Dao Mountains.

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Chiang Mai Geography

Chiang Mai is situated at 300 metres above sea level in a large mountain area. The province encompasses approximately 20,000 square kilometers. Chiang Mai is separated from Bangkok by 700 Kilometers of highway or 761 kilometers of railway. Chiang Mai province is located between the northen latitude 17-21 and eastern longitude 98-99. Chiang Mai's northen border of 277 kilometers 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 an Lamphun provinces. The south of Chiang Mai is separated from Tak province by the Mae Tuen River. In the south, Chiang Mai is bordered by Lamphun province, in the west - Mae Hong Son province.
The administrative areas of Chiang Mai are divided into 22 Amphoes (districts), namely:
Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
Amphoe Chiang Dao
Amphoe Doi Saket
Amphoe Fang
Amphoe Hot
Amphoe Mae Chaem
Amphoe Mae Taeng
Amphoe Phrao
Amphoe San Kamphaeng
Amphoe San Sai
Amphoe Wiang Haeng
Amphoe Chom Thong
Amphoe Doi Tao
Amphoe Hang Dong
Amphoe Mae Ai
Amphoe Mae Rim
Amphoe Samoeng
Amphoe San Pa Tong
Amphoe Saraphi
Amphoe Chai Prakan
Amphoe Mae Wang
King Amphoe Mae On

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Chiang Mai History

The city named Nopphaburi Si Nakhon Phing Chiang Mai (or Whiang Phing) was established by Phaya Mengrai, Prince of Chiang Saen, in 1292. Two hundred years later, the city was subdued by a Burmese invasion and became Burma's vassal state in 1588. In 1774, Chiang Mai was liberated by King Taksin and became part of Northen Thailand and a capital of Lanna Thai, an independent kingdom known as 'Kingdom of Million Rice Fields' within the fabled Golden Triangle.
Prince Phaya Mengrai build Chiang Mai on the left blank of the Ping River, surrounding it by a thick brick defensive wall and a moat. To this day, very little has been left of the wall, whereas the moat has remained. The five city gates: Chang Phuak, Tha Phae, Chiang Mai, Suan Phueng, and Suan Dok have been refurbished.

Presently, Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand and the principal city of Northen Thailand. Chiang Mai is also a centre of art, antiques, and the ancient tradition of Lanna Thai.
Chiang Mai possesses unique cultural characteristics blended with truly magnificent natural beauty. The most impressive Part of Chiang Mai is its people, their hospitality and talent reflected various silk, silver and wood handicrafts.

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