Thailand - The Warm Smile

Author: Meng Fei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The Cool World of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai holds a position in Thailand akin to Xi'an's in China. This ancient city with a population of only 170,000 is Thailand's second-largest city and has a history spanning over 700 years. It became the capital of the ancient Lanna Thai Kingdom in 1296, located more than 700 kilometers south of Bangkok and near Yunnan, China. It is truly a border city, isolated and self-sufficient for seven centuries. It only joined the central government of Thailand after the death of its last king in 1932. If Bangkok, with its 200-year history, is a dazzling kaleidoscope of beauty and bustle, then Chiang Mai is a delicate rose blooming on the northern Thai plateau. As an independent kingdom within Thailand's borders, the locals call themselves "Lanna," meaning "Million Paddy Fields," reflecting the region's former prosperity. Interestingly, ancient China referred to this area as the "Land of Eight Hundred Wives," likely due to its reputation for producing beautiful women. Half a century ago, traveling to Chiang Mai was extremely difficult—people had to travel along rivers by boat or ride elephants, spending weeks crossing dense mountain forests. This natural isolation did not turn Chiang Mai into a remote, isolated place but rather a gift from the heavens, allowing it to retain its rich ancient charm despite the passage of time.
The kings of Lanna Thai were devout Buddhists, and they built numerous temples, striving for perfection and beauty. As a result, this ancient city, which is only one-seventh the size of Bangkok, is home to over 300 temples, earning it the nickname "City of Temples." These temples are densely scattered throughout the streets and alleys, always catching your eye with their varying heights of roofs and weathered carvings. The eaves, the moss-covered beams and painted decorations, always evoke thoughts of the past, inviting you to explore their mysteries. The morning and evening bells of the temples remind people of the hustle and bustle of the mortal world, helping them to quiet down and enter the cool world of Buddhism.
Chiang Mai's ancient city is square and rectangular, with a river flowing around its ancient walls. The temples within the city, some glistening in gold and jade, others aged and dilapidated, tell stories of different eras of prosperity or decline. The city's walls and deep moats, visible everywhere, carry the heavy memories of past turmoil and chaos. Rhododendrons bloom vibrantly in the courtyards of temples and residential homes, adorning every corner with their elegance. Next to the rhododendrons, small lotuses float in water basins, beautiful yet solitary.
At an altitude of over 3,000 feet, Chiang Mai is a high plateau compared to Bangkok, which sits at just 3 feet above sea level. Its refreshing and pleasant climate is something Bangkok, with its hot and humid conditions, cannot imagine. This favorable climate is due to its location in the center of a large plain called the Menam Basin, which stretches over 560 kilometers. The river winds through the city, its banks lined with pine and bamboo trees, farmlands, and corn climbing the slopes like green silk drying in the wind. Bangkokites yearn for Chiang Mai's cool world, considering it Thailand's "Shangri-La." During the hot summer months, they flock to Chiang Mai to escape the heat and relax.
Chiang Mai is the center of northern Thailand, and the northernmost point of Thailand's railway system ends here. Chiang Mai's geographical advantages are evident—just a few steps away, you can reach the drug heartland of Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle, or explore the adventures in the mountainous tribal areas of Chiang Dao and Nan.