Many Westerners as we know, love sunshine and sand beaches but surprisingly, groups of them are found gathering in this mountainous city- Chiang Mai. They stay for weeks or even months, reluctant to leave. I communicated with some of the youngsters from America, Europe, Canada, Australia and they are basically like me, fall in love with its peaceful comfortable environment. Though it is religious, but is a place where we can afford to pamper ourselves.Chiang Mai, formerly named as Lanna, is the largest and most significant city in Northern Thailand. It attracts one million tourists a year . It was built on Ping River which is the main tributary of Chao Phraya River. Basically water is running through the four directions of the city thus giving kind of temperate climate to the area. Weather is good and food are delicious. No one can ever stand the temptation of its "Pad Thai""Radna""Pad See Ew" fried noodles, Tomyum Kung spicy sour prawns soup, durian and mango glutinous rice, papaya salad and those fresh mushroom, herbs, soft red wild rice and wide varieties of its seasonal fruits. Pay less get more is the main attraction in shopping theory, Chiang Mai has it.. ....
Chiang Mai surrounded by nature hills and water has a history of 700 over years. It was built on a traditional heritage of Lanna Empire and its greatly influenced by Buddhism. Temples appear in all parts of the city, different construction year, different design, different carving with individual story, but all look adorable and artistic. To understand more about Chiang Mai's past the best way is to visit temples at different corners.
Nobody would ever reject to letting a pair of Thai ladies" soft hands tenderly therapy over your skin and nerves, relaxing your body and soul. Tensed, tired, sored....do not hesitate, sit down and let her relax and release for you at any hour any corner of the streets for any minutes you want.
The 17th century Chinese migrant fruit -Lychee - today is one of the leading crops of Chiang Mai earning great export income for the city. Its pinkist skin with juicy sweet flesh always is the attraction of Asian food lovers. During the season, Lychee tree hanging with bundles of red fruits could be seen any where and ripen fruits were in sales at every corners together with their traditional fresh local herbs.
Wat Bupparam Temple houses The Green Jade Burmese Buddha Image at shrine hall, which is one of the two famous historical jade Buddha from Burma left in the world. The other white Jade Buddha is presently displaced at "yu fo shi" of Shanghai .
The colorful and attractive teak-wood ceiling inside the main shrine in Wat Bupparam exhibit the beautiful architectural of Wat Buppaple.
The world largest teak-wood Buddha image stands high in the main shrine of Wat Bupparam Temple. A monk was bowing to all Buddha images. Kneel and bow full mindfully with forehead, elbows, hands touching the floor is the usual way for a Buddhish to show respect to Buddha and reduce bad karma.
It is a great virtue to offer alms to monastery and monks, and make liberation of living things . Thai people are fortunate to have been given such an environment in practicing this meritorious deed every morning when groups of monks or Dharma masters, coming out from monastery after dawn prayer with alms bowls in hands. Monks usually bless you with prayers which make your heart filled with joy for the whole day on.
Thailand encourage every male to leave home at least once in a life time for few weeks to few years to experience the left-home life. Those newly left home teenages are called "sami" and elder monks are addressed as Bhikshu. All monks lead the same daily life, get up before 4am, one meal a day before noon and practise meditation and chanting.
Wat Tung Yu Monastry (1260-1578)
Wat Phra Singh Temple situated within the old walled city was built with classic northern style architecture of Thailand in 1345. It has a high venerated Phra Singh Buddha Image and still today continue giving lessens on meditation.
Temple Wat Suan Dok, built in 14th century house the 500 years old bronze Buddha Image, which is one of the largest metal images in the country. The white chedis around the temple contains ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family.
One of the oldest temple in the city. Though it is closed for renovation, big meal offerings plus chanting session still carried on by the side of building.
The Garden breed variety of orchid species, making the place glory in colors.
Accompanied by Shari and Evan, the Canadian couple when visiting Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. The Temple was located on Doi Suthep hill and has expanded to huge temple complex including 4 holy shrines, museum, residences for monks and guests, multi-purposes building etc., since 1383 when it was first built. It offers superb views over the city.
After offering our highest respect with lotus flower and incent to Pagoda where Buddha's bone relic was kept, we received blessing from monk at Dot Suthep Temple .
It was said that 600 years ago, a white elephant carrying on his back the Buddha's bone relic, before dying, trumpeted 3 times at the site. That's where the first temple was constructed.Malaysian Buddhists contributed this huge gold-plated bell for the auspicious Buddhist Center of Chiang Mai.
Jack fruit tree by the side of white elephant status never failed to prosperously bear fruits through out the year.
Hundreds steps stairway to the main entrance for the first shrine of Doi Suthep Temple
No cement, no concrete, sleeping under this little teak-roofing hut, surrounded by hills, filling with river flowing rhythm, with insects orchestra entertainment every night, fully embraced by the nature, what else you want more in this world? We enjoy our stay in this little cottage house in Chiang Mai Hill Resort.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Bamboo rafting down Maetaeng river indeed is an interesting trip in the journey especially when both of the river bank offering you such remarkable natural scenery.
Unique hotel by the side of Maetaeng River,which costs about US$180.00 per night and any minute you got to welcome unusual guest...snakes
This undoubtedly is one of the most environment friendly place remained on earth. We had a wonderful buffet lunch under the natural hut and visited the handicraft of hill tribes.
Its an exciting adventure to use the elephant carriage climbing up uneven mountainous area and cross over river. The elephant I rode on amused me by carrying me up a small way to plug wild lychee after feeding him a bundle of sugarcane, very interesting! Ox-cart riding to go through rural country side is another kind of different experience.
Its good experience to be suddenly carried up like this by elephant's long trunk. He surprised you, so make him happy, tips him ...banana...but if you show him notes, he will leave banana.Thai elephant has sensitive nose for money smell !While carrying you across mountain and river, the elephant keep on demanding for food. Banana and sugarcane are their favourite. Their appetite is real huge. Its not too easy to sustain their living.
The Australian teacher, Jane joined us for the fun in the elephant camp.
There are altogether about 30 rescued elephants in the camp. Bathing elephant is part of trainers' job but is also tourists' entertainment.
On the way to Chiang rai, This newly built elegant silver temple Wat Rongkhun was grandly opened by the King of Thailand.
The hell sculptue in front of the temple is warning bell. Start cultivate your good karma now, dont hesitate.
Enjoying a natural foot therapy in this little hot spring pool while on the way to Golden Triangle.
The river is the border of Thailand, Loas and Burma. Far red roofing building is Burma.The scenery of world famous golden triangle is breath-taking. But imagin, years ago billion dollars opium/drugs were traded here to spoilt how many lives of human beings in the world.
Over the river where small huts are, belongs to Loas territory.
Over here, with beautiful scruptures of Buddha's Images, is within the land of Thai.
Villages of the minority hill tribes of Chiang Mai. Most of them, includes of long-necked tribe, lead a very simple yet contented life. They farm, weave or hand make products for sales to earn a basic living. They do not have televison or any form of modern communications nor do they desire any materialized demands, but from their great smiles, we know they are happier than most of us. Most importantly for them is to keep and maintain their beauty symbols like long beautiful neck, long ears or black teeth.
Experience a night at this Chiang Mai Cultural center. Audiences were seated on the floor and entertained with 9 traditional courses of Northern Thai cuisines and a nearly three hours show of traditional Thai dances and various hill tribes costume and legend shows.
The night bazaar located at the old historic center of the city, sprawls along several commercial blocks along the sideways, inside the buildings, covers all open squares and empty ground area inside temples, offering food, wears and entertainments.
Desert made into different shape of fruits and vegetables are beautifully decorated in the store
Papaya salad and mango rice are two of the most favorable Thai appetizers and desert many people love . A big round green papaya and Thai grown sticky glutinous rice are the most important element to make these two popular dishes wonderful.
Thai food uses wide variety of sauces to create aroma in their hot and sour food andthe disgusting roasted creepy crawlies and insects, especially the giant sized water bugs are also one of the North east common food ..
