victory of three kings - Chiang Mai

The Three Kings Statue is in front of the old provincial hall very close to the center of the old city. At the south west corner of the square on Inthawororot Road is the site of the former temple and original location of Chiang Mai pillar - Wat Sadoe Muang, which means "temple of the navel of the city". According to legend the site was a former grove where Mangrai saw two fearless white deer drive off a pack of hunting dogs. He took this as an auspicious omen for the citing of the city. The three worked together to lay out the city of Chiang Mai. The sculpture has become something of an iconic image representing Chiang Mai. You will see it reproduced in various forms all around the city.

The only remains of the temple are two chedi. An inscription nearby dates the octagonal chedi back to the 14th century. The Buddha images under the shelter go back to the time of Kawila.

Behind the monument stands the old provincial hall. It was converted into an Art and Culture Hall. Across Phrapokklao Road to the east stands the Chiang Mai magistrate court.

On the north-east corner of the Phrapokklao - Ratwithi intersection is Yupparat School, which was built on the grounds of the former palace of the kings of Chiang Mai. The Wooden building that stand at the corner near the intersection is the former stable for white elephants - a symbol of power and nobility - belong to former Chao.

Read Chiang Mai story

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.

Read Chiang Mai story

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.

Read Chiang Mai story

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.

Read Chiang Mai story

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

Read Chiang Mai story

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.

if (GBrowserIsCompatible()) { var map = new GMap2(document.getElementById("map_canvas")); map.addControl(new GMapTypeControl()); map.addControl(new GSmallMapControl()); map.setCenter(new GLatLng(18.7895, 98.9861), 14); }

Read Chiang Mai story