Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand, located in the north. From Bangkok it is a few hours flight or a full day train trip, which is an excellent way to see the countryside.

Chiang Mai is an ancient city, and the remains of the walls that once surrounded it can still be seen. The city has now spread well beyond the walls. Thapae Gate is still the main centre of the city's festivals and events. The gate was once the main entrance to the city from the Mae Ping River. Today, a square with cafes and shops and a stage for performances are by the gate, which is a popular meeting place for residents. There are festivals throughout the year when there are special events at Thapae Gate.

The shopping is excellent in Chiang Mai, and there are many industries based in the north, such as silver jewellery manufacture, celadon potteries, fan making, woodcarving, lacquerware, silk production and umbrella making. Visitors can visit the factories and watch the workers then go to the factory's shop to make purchases.

The finest jade in the world is found in Burma (Myanmar) and is carved in Thailand. There are jade carving workshops where visitors can watch the artists carving green or white jade into jewellery, utensils and ornaments, and then buy objects.

There are of course many wats to visit and Buddha images to see, as there are all over Thailand. One very famous and important wat is the Temple of Three Hundred Steps.

A Buddha image in a wat in Lampang

In the north of Thailand there are a number of hill tribes living in traditional villages. These are groups of people from all over Southeast Asia who live in ways that have changed little for thousands of years. They have migrated to Thailand to escape persecution in their own countries. Visitors can walk around their villages and can buy handicrafts made in the traditional way, such as embroidered or woven fabrics or clothing.

Teak forests were logged in the past in northern Thailand, but the teak forests are largely depleted and there is less logging today. Elephants have always been used for logging work in Thailand rather than machines. Near Chiang Mai there is the Mae Taman Elephant Conservation Camp where visitors can watch elephants at work.

Near Lampang there is a Centre for Training Baby Elephants where visitors can go to see elephants being trained. Also available are trekking trips on elephant to see hilltribe villages.

At Chiang Rai, from the middle of April to the end of May, an ancient event takes place each year. Armed with large nets, men head for the Mekong River to try and catch a pla buek, one of the world's largest freshwater fish. These giant catfish can weigh as much as 300 kilograms, and measure up to 3 metres in length. They feed only on the water plants and algae of the Mekong River. Little is known of their habits, except that they spawn in April and May. To ensure their survival, these giant fish are being bred in fisheries and young fish (fry) are released into the Mekong and also into Thai reservoirs.

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
A Trip toThailand (2001). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

Back to A trip to Thailand main menu

Back to Sightseeing in Thailand main menu

updated March 2001