Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
POP 174,000
History
Chiang Mai and Thailand's other northern provinces share more of their early devel-
opment with the Shan state of present-day Myanmar (Burma), neighbouring parts of
Laos and even the southern mountains of China than with Bangkok and Thailand's
central plains.
Phaya Mengrai (also spelt Mangrai) is credited for founding the Lanna kingdom
and expanding it into the Ping River valley. Once he reached the valley, he built a
temporary capital at Wiang Kum Kam ( Click here ). Around 1296, King Mengrai re-
located the Lanna capital to a more picturesque spot between Doi Suthep and the
Ping River and named the auspicious city Nopburi Si Nakhon Ping Chiang Mai
(shortened to Chiang Mai, meaning the 'New Walled City'). Traces of the original
1296 earthen ramparts can still be seen today along Th Kamphaeng Din in Chiang
Mai.
Soi Ban Haw
A remnant from the days when Chiang Mai was a detour on the Silk Road is the Thai-
Muslim community along Soi 1 off Th Chang Khlan, near Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. The
100-year-old Matsayit Chiang Mai Offline map Google map ( Soi 1, Th Charoen
Prathet) , also known as Ban Haw Mosque, was founded by jeen hor ('galloping
Chinese'), the Thai expression for Yunnanese caravan traders. Within the past two cen-
turies, the city's Muslim community has also grown to include ethnic Yunnanese Muslims
escaping unrest in neighbouring Laos and Burma.
There are also a number of simple restaurants and vendors selling Thai-Muslim curries,
kôw soy (curried chicken and noodles), kôw mòk gài (chicken biriani), and néu·a òp hŏrm
('fragrant' dried beef), a speciality of Chiang Mai's Yunnanese Muslim community. An
evening food vendor does delicious roh·đee (Indian flat bread).
Sights
Chiang Mai is a very manageable city to navigate. Most visitors base themselves in
the old city, which is easily covered on foot or by bike - the famous temples are
spread out along Th Ratchadamnoen.
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