| We all know that Chiang Mai is the city that | | | | north of the city centre, houses an extensive |
| travellers both Thai and foreign value highly | | | | collection of Buddha images and northern Thai |
| for its charm, extraordinary sites, and | | | | handicrafts. Another museum that is worth a |
| people. Also, the reputation for | | | | visit especially for those preparing to go |
| craftsmanship has made Chiang Mai become the | | | | trekking is the Tribal Museum which houses a |
| centre for exports in the North of Thailand. | | | | good display of hill tribe textiles, |
| These are the reasons that visitors are | | | | jewellery, musical instruments, weapons and |
| impelled to come here again and again. | | | | other artefacts |
| Therefore, information is always the priority | | | | |
| for tourists. | | | | Around 15km east of Chiang Mai is Bo Sang, |
| | | | also known as the Umbrella Village, where |
| Chiang Mai, 700km northwest of Bangkok, is | | | | handmade paper umbrellas and many other hill |
| Thailands second city and the gateway to | | | | tribe handicrafts are sold. Another popular |
| northern Thailand. There are over 300 temples | | | | excursion from Chiang Mai is a visit to the |
| and monasteries in Chiang Mai, almost as many | | | | Thai Elephant Conservation Centre where |
| Bangkok, and the city has a long tradition | | | | attractions include elephant rides, elephant |
| for arts and crafts. | | | | bathing and an exhibition on the importance |
| | | | of the elephant in Thai history and culture. |
| Once described as one of the loveliest cities | | | | |
| imaginable Chiang Mai still retains a certain | | | | Chiang Mai has a distinct international |
| flavour of the past with its moated old city, | | | | atmosphere with many foreign businesses and |
| ancient wats and leafy back streets. Chiang | | | | organizations locating in the city over the |
| Mais oldest temple is Wat Chiang Man which | | | | past decade due to her excellent |
| dates back to 1296 and is known for its two | | | | infrastructure with international direct |
| Buddha images, one made of the stone and the | | | | flight connections to all countries in the |
| other made from crystal. | | | | region including China, Singapore, Malaysia, |
| | | | Burma, Cambodia and Taiwan. |
| Almost as old, Wat Phra Singh in the centre | | | | |
| of town contains a 1,500 year old Buddha | | | | Shopping is great, be it for handicrafts, |
| image and another wat, Wat Chedi Luang, holds | | | | clothes or luxury items. Everything can be |
| the ruins of a huge chedi or stupa that | | | | found at great prices in stores ranging from |
| collapsed in an earthquake in 1545. | | | | small family run shops to world class luxury |
| | | | outlets and shopping malls. |
| The Chiang Mai National Museum, just to the | | | | |