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Chiang Mai, City of
Culture, is the second most popular tourist destination
in Asia after Bangkok. It is not difficult to understand
why, once you come to know this beautiful city and its
gentle people. In fact Chiangmai is also the favourite
holiday destination of many Thai people.
Located in the Mae
Ping River Basin, 710 kilometres from Bangkok, and 305
metres above sea level, the original city layout still
exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat, and
vestiges of the fortified wall. Four main gates offer
principal access to the old town, which is criss-crossed
by main roads, and veined by charming narrow lanes with
traditional teakwood houses.
There are so many
places of interest to visit or explore in Chiang Mai
that one can never tire of this lovely city. These
include ancient temples, Lanna architecture, orchid
farms, magical misty mountains, majestic waterfalls,
sleepy romantic rivers, hill tribes, elephants camps,
etc.
Chiang Mai Province
actually contains more areas of natural forest than any
other located in this northerly region. Particularly
popular and close to Chiang Mai, the mountain peak of
Doi Suthep offers breathtaking views, a temple and the
Phra Tamnak Phu Winter Palace. To the east, Bo Sang is
better known as the Umbrella Village due to its many
paper parasols and hand-painted umbrellas. For Thai silk
weaving at its best, the shops within San Kamphaeng are
a great place to pick up a traditional souvenir.
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