Chiang Mai is the third-largest city in Thailand after Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. The location of Chiang Mai is on the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. Many tourists travel to Chiang Mai because this city is the center of religion, economy, education, and transportation for the people of northern Thailand.

Quoted from The Indianized States of Southeast Asia, Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai. At that time, Chiang Mai was made the capital of the Lannathai Kingdom, which previously had its capital in Chiang Rai. The meaning of Chiang Mai itself is a new city.

Over time, Chiang Mai was finally conquered by the Kingdom of Burma and the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Until in 1767, a war between the two kingdoms occurred which resulted in most of the people of Chiang Mai leaving the city.

Chiang Mai also grew into the center of culture, economy, trade-in northern Thailand and became a city that is quite important after Bangkok.
There are many reasons why tourists should visit Chiang Mai while on vacation in Thailand. As from the history that has been described previously, this city offers many historical buildings. In this place, there are many temples that offer a charming architecture that is still thick with historical value.

Besides many historical places, in Chiang Mai you can see elephant shows. You can see elephants of all ages, from baby elephants to 80 years old.
Culinary tourism in Chiang Mai is different from other cities in Thailand. You can find a food called Rotee, which is food made from fried flour. Then, you can also taste lots of fresh fruits that have just been picked from the tree.

This city also keeps the beauty of the original Thai tribes. There are 6 indigenous tribes in northern Thailand that you can meet in Chiang Mai, which will certainly add to your experience and insight.

To make it more comfortable for you to explore Chiang Mai, it is recommended to visit this city from November to February. In that month, Chiang Mai is a bit cooler, so you won't feel hot as you walk through the city. You can prepare casual clothes but don't forget to bring a jacket because at night the weather will be a little colder. Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes for walking.

For those of you who have plans for a vacation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, here are some recommendations for exciting activities you can do:

Chiang Mai Old Town is full of history and offers many must-see buildings for tourists. The first monument that you can find in Chiang Mai Old Town is the Three King Monument, which is a monument to King Mengrai, King Ramkamhaeng, and King Ngam Muang.

Not far from the Three King Monument, there is the Chiang Mai Art and Cultural Center. In this museum, you can learn about the history of Chiang Mai, starting from the lifestyle of the local people, knowledge of ethnic groups in Thailand, and knowledge of Buddhism.

As a tourist, don't miss to enjoy a Thai massage at Chiang Mai Old Town. The art of massage in this place has been running for 2,000 years ago. The difference with other massages is that the oil used is still quite traditional.

As it used to be a kingdom, there are many temples that you can visit in Chiang Mai. Most of the Chiang Mai Temples are Lanna-style, between the 13th and 18th centuries, characterized by their upward curving wooden roofs. Of course, each temple provides its own architectural characteristics. Here are the recommended temples in Chiang Mai:

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai. If you want to visit this temple, you have to walk up the mountains first, then climb 309 steps to get to the top. This temple is the residence of the monks.

Called the most amazing temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Phra Singh actually got a huge renovation. The main building features a very iconic Lanna Style sloping roof with decorations that will shine brightly under the sun. There are many stupas and pagodas on the grounds of Wat Phra Singh which add to the beauty of this building.

Wat Umong Temple is more than 700 years old. Despite that, this temple still stands majestically. While the stupa at Wat Umong is often used to take pictures of tourists.

Besides the three temples above, in Chiang Mai there are still many temples that you can visit. Many tourists who come to Chiang Mai explore the temples in this city one by one.

Located northwest of the city of Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep National Park was formerly the site of the Sudeva hermit. If you want to get a nature-inspired vacation, coming to Doi Suthep National Park is the most appropriate choice.

Doi Suthep National Park is actually a 265 km2 forest in which 2,000 species of ferns and flower plants and 360 species of birds and several mammals live.

There are several exciting activities that tourists can do, such as feeling the fresh water in the waterfall, visiting the Bhubing Palace which was once the royal residence, and enjoying the beautiful architecture of the Doi Suthep Temple.

If you visit this national park, it's best to hire a guide so you don't get lost. The guide will also help you to meet the animals that live in Doi Suthep National Park.

It's not complete if a trip to Chiang Mai without visiting the elephant sanctuary. There are several elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, but the most popular one is in Chiang Mai, named Elephant Nature Park, which is a place where elephants are rescued.

Elephant Nature Park is located in Chiang Mai and has been established in 1990. Apart from aiming to preserve elephants in Thailand, this place also has a mission to provide education for tourists.
When visiting Elephant Nature Park or other elephant sanctuaries, don't forget to make a small donation, so the workers can continue to do this important work.

After visiting the elephant sanctuary, you can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms at Baan Khun Chang Kian, the cherry blossom sanctuary. Even though you are not in Japan, you can still enjoy the beauty of this flower in Thailand. The cold temperatures on Mount Doi Suthep are perfect for cherry blossoms to grow.

The best time to come to Baan Khun Chang Kian is during winter, which is between December-January when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Unfortunately, to get to this place, you have to pass a fairly steep road, so hire a tour guide who has often come to Baan Khun Chang and is already familiar with the route.

Chiang Mai, Thailand, presents a different holiday experience. To make your vacation more comfortable, use the Traveloka App to complete your needs. Booking hotels, buying flight tickets, and more will be easier with Traveloka!