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Chiang Mai Images 24 images Created 12 Mar 2009

Chiangmai is known as "the Rose of the North" and Thailand's second largest city after Bangkok. Well known for its vibrant markets, ancient temples such as Doi Suthep and numerous chedi scattered throughout the old part of the city make Chiang Mai one of Thailand's most popular destinations for both Thai and foreign visitors. Calmer and quieter than Bangkok, Chiang Mai offers not only temples but gourmet food, hot springs, fresh air and a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
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  • The village of Bo Sang, on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, is well known for its hand crafted umbrellas. Local artisans make the world famous parasols out of paper.  Visitors can even watch the process as artisans make the umbrellas from start to end: struts, paper and then painting them.
    bo-sang-umbrellas-08.jpg
  • Wat Chedi Luang "temple of the big stupa" is a Buddhist temple in the historic center of Chiang Mai. King Saen Muang Ma began building Phra Chedi Luang to enshrine the relics of his father at the end of the 14th century - its chedi was originally 90 meters high before it was partly destroyed in an earthquake and was the tallest structure in Chiang Mai for over 500 years.
    chedi-luang-1.jpg
  • Victoria water lilies are of the plant family Nymphaeaceae.  They are known because of their , very large green leaves that lie flat on the water's surface up to 3 meters of 9 feet in diameter, its name Victoria Amazonica was given in honor of Queen Victoria though the plant is <br />
native to the Amazon River basin,  The leaf of these water lilies is able to support large weights thanks to the structure, though the leaf itself is quite delicate:though it can support up to 70 pounds if distributed throughout the leaf.
    victoria-water-lily-2.jpg
  • Wat Phra Singh or Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn - the main attraction of the complex was built in 1345 to house the Phra Buddha Singh statue and it is a prime example of classical Lanna architecture. The main chedi of the complex features the front half of an elephant emerging from it. After it was built in 1345, the chedi was enlarged several times.
    phra-singh-3.jpg
  • The Lanna Architecture Center - the purpose of the center is to conduct research and collect information about Lanna art and architecture, with the intention of preserving skills and techniques that would otherwise be lost to time.  The facility is housed in a two storey teak building. The ground floor has columns with semi-arches, and is made of brick covered with stucco.  The home was known as Khum Jao Bureeratana  or Maha Intra -  and was once the house of a Chiang Mai royal.  There are occasional exhibitions about Thai northern architecture here.
    lanna-architecture-centre-1.jpg
  • Reclining Buddha at Wat Pongsanuk - a sacred temple in Lampang. It is said that this temple was erected in 1888 by Kru Ba Anochidhamma Jindamuni. The temple architecture is mixed with a Burmese temple floor plan consisting of a three tiered roof in the centre and phayathat - small upwards of three tier roofs in the same size decorated on the centre, Viharn Phra Chao Pun Ong, Pongsanuk Temple is the unique jewel of Mahayan Buddhism Architecture of Lanna Kingdom.  Following its restoration Wat Ponsanuk received a merit award from UNESCO for its efforts in restoration.
    pongsanuk-4.jpg
  • The Chiang Mai moat, encircling the old city has a bastion and its own particular character.  Jaeng Katam, or 'Fish Trap Corner', where local people used to catch fish in a large pond which has long since disappeared. Today Katam Corner is a quiet place, and influences the city's strength and fortifications. It is associated cosmologically with Wat Chai Si Mongkhol.
    chiang-mai-moat-2.jpg
  • Ho Trai at Wat Phra Singh the temple library is another prime example of classical Lanna architecture and it is one of the most beautiful temple libraries in Thailand. The guards, flanking the stairs, consist of lions emerging from the mouths of a Makara, a mythical water creature.  Otherwise known as Wat Phra Singh Library.
    phra-singh-2.jpg
  • Thai Schoolboys mugging and smiling for the camera. Schools are often found within temple compounds in Thailand, and in fact are local centers of each neighborhood serving as a kind of "community center".
    thai-kids.jpg
  • Chiang Mai Sunday Market Thai Puppets - The Sunday Market, sometimes called the weekend market takes place in the Tapae Gate area and stretches into the middle of the old city where can find traditional Thai clothing, silk and local crafts at this bustling market.
    thai-puppets.jpg
  • Wat Suan Dok or Flower Garden Temple is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai.  King Kue Na's flower garden suan dok mai which was located here, gave the temple its original name. Among other things Wat Suan Dok is the site of a Buddhist institution of higher learning:  Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
    suan-dok-3.jpg
  • Wat Doi Suthep - or its official name Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as simply "Doi Suthep" although this is actually the name of the mountain it is located on. The temple is a sacred site to many Thai people.
    doi-suthep-7.jpg
  • Fang Hot Springs are situated at Ban Pin, Fang in Chiang Mai province.The hot springs originate from simmering granite with temperatures from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius. Most notable is the largest spring which constantly jets out strong sulphur scented steam..The hot springs are used for electricity generation purposes as well as its original attraction as a hot spring for soaking.  It is located within Doi Pha Hompok National Park, locally known as Mae Fang.  Pha Hom Pok is the second highest mountain in Thailand.
    fang-springs-3.jpg
  • Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November. "Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is the float traditionally made from a section of banana tree decorated with elaborately folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft  on a river or release a lantern as shown.
    loi-kratong.jpg
  • Chiangmai Temple Sunset Silhouette, with highlighted dragons or nagas in the golden sky.
    chiang-mai-sihouette.jpg
  • Naga at Wat Doi Suthep - Naga is the Sanskrit and Pali word for a deity or class of entity, taking the form of a  king cobra, found in Hinduism and Buddhism. The Buddhist naga generally has the form of a great cobra-like snake, usually with a single head but sometimes with many.  Some of the naga are capable of using magic powers to transform themselves into a human semblance.
    nagas-doi-suthep.jpg
  • Lee Anu Chuepa is a young coffee entrepeneur speciaizling in fair-trade, organic coffee grown by his neighbors, family and friends in Chiang Rai Province, and a cafe and distribution and roasting in Chiang Mai.
    lee-ayu-chuepa-5.jpg
  • Cat stretching out in front of one of the ancient chedi scattered around Chiang Mai's old city; this one with weeds and other plant growth sprouting from its foundation.
    chiang-mai-chedi.jpg
  • The Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden was opened in 1992 and is maintained under the auspices of the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The facility's purpose is to conduct and promote botanical research, biodiversity and to conserve Thailand's natural plant resources.  With its wide collection of plant species, 12 exhibition greenhouses, garden and nature trails, educational and research activities, the facility offers many learning opportunities - not just a tourist attraction.  Originally the botanical park named the Mae Sa Botanic Garden.
    queen-sirikit-botanical-garden-7.jpg
  • Thai Boy Selling Floral Temple Offerings. Lotus and marigolds are most popular, these offerings come with incense or joss sticks attached.
    temple-offerings.jpg
  • Thai Gilt Bas Relief depicting a phoenix done up in gold leaf.
    thai-gilt-bas-relief.jpg
  • Like most temples in Thailand, Wat Pantao also serves as a school for novice monks.  Not only do temples in Thailand offer school instruction, but serve as neighborhood community centers as well.
    wat-pan-tao-1.jpg
  • Royal Pavilion Ratchapruek is the most impressive display of architecture at Royal Flora Ratchaphruek. Built in the style of a royal pavilion of the former Lanna Kingdom in the Northern part of Thailand, the architecture portrays the grandeur, beauty and grace of Lanna architecture with its reflecting pond.   The Royal Pavilion was the masterpiece of architect Rung Chanthabun, who designed and supervised its planning, building and construction.
    ratchpruek-1.jpg
  • Wat Umong or Wat Umong Suan Puthatham is unique in that the resident monks live in a natural setting, and even feed the deer that live in the area.  Adjacent to the temple compound is a Buddhist image "cemetery" where unused or damaged Buddhist images can be discarded that is believed to be the best method of disposing of them.
    wat-u-mong-7.jpg