Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand comprises of high mountains, lush forests and cascading rivers, namely, the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan Spanning over an area of 1,69,644 sq. km. The abundant alluvial soil at the river basins is good for farming. Home to many ancient civilizations in the past, Northern Thailand is less inhabited.

Northern Thailand was home by the Mons Civilization before the 12th century AD, the proof of which is the chronicles and mythology. 13th century onwards, historical records become clearer when the Thais ruled the Sukhothai kingdom and Lanna and Chiang Mai as the heart of the kingdom.

Build in the 13th century at the Yom Basin, Kingdom of Sukhothai in Northern Thailand aroused at the time of downfall of the Khmer Dynasty with the capital at Sukhothai. The other most important cities under the kingdom were Kamphaeng Phet and Phitsanulok. King Mengrai built at the Lanna Kingdom with capital at Chiang Mai. The kingdom lasted for 280 years with 19 successive rulers before felling to the Burmese attack. Some two hundred years after the Burmese attack, the Thip Chang Dynasty was organized, which ruled Lanna as a feudatory state of Thailand during the reign of Rama I.

Chiang Mai

Known as the ‘Rose of the North Chiang Mai ‘, was the provincial capital. Founded by King Mengrai in 1296 AD, Chiang Mai is located on the banks of the Ping River. Chiang Mai is well known for orchids, elephant training camps and handicrafts including lacquer ware, celadon, silk, umbrellas, and woodcarvings. Chiang Mai is also the famous for hill tribe trekking and river rafting. The most visited place in Chiang Mai is the Night Bazaar where one can look out for interesting bargains

Major tourist attractions of Chiang Mai are:

Wat Phra Sing

Situated on Sam Lan Road, Wat Phra Sing was constructed somewhere around 1345 AD. The temple surrounding does contain the Lai Kham Chapel adorned with stupendously carved with wood and northern style murals and an excellent storehouse of scriptures with a prominent sculptural relief. Wat Phra Sing is one of the important centers where Songkran Festivals are held every year from the 13th to 15th April. The ritual bathing ceremony of the honor Phra Phutthasihing Buddha image takes place

Wat Suan Dok

Put in the middle of a 14th century AD pleasure gardens of the Lanna Thai monarch on the Suthep Road, Wat Suan Dok is well known because many of the white chedis or pagodas contain ashes of Chiang Mai’s former royal family. Inside a secondary chapel is enshrined a 500 year old Buddha image made of Bronze, which is the biggest metal image in Thailand.

Wat Chiang Man

Situated on Ratchapkkhinai Road, is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple Wat Chiang Man, which can be dated back to 1296 AD. The temple compelling for a chedi supported by a series of giant bolsters and a little image of Buddha, Phra Kaeo Khao was the home of King Mengrai, founder of Chiang Mai.

Wat Chedi Luang

Situated on Phra Pokklao Road, Wat Chedi Luang is known for a colossal pagoda, primarily measuring 280 ft. in height. The pagoda was not completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1545 AD. The temple once enshrined the image of the Emerald Buddha, which is now preserved at Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok. The most amazing architectural feature of the temple is the splendid Naga or the serpent staircase, which adds to the beauty of the front portico of the chapel.

Chiang Rai

Located within the boundaries of the famous Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Mekong and Sop Suak Rivers is the Chiang Rai. Built in 1262 AD by King Mengrai, Founder of the Kingdom of Lanna, Chiang Mai is 785 km from Bangkok. Burma invades Chiang Rai between 1648 AD and 1786 AD. In the month of February every year, Chiang Rai promotes a weeklong traditional Northern culture during the colorful Wat Samae Fah Luang Festival. Chiang Rai is also the best retreat for exploring the Golden Triangle and taking the river trips down the Kok River, which joins the Mekong River. Chiang Rai is divided into following districts – Muang, Phan, Thoeng, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Wiang Pa Pao, Chiang Khong, Mae Suai, Chiang Saen, Pa Daet, Wiang Chai, Phata Mengrai, Wiang Kaen, Mae Fa Luang, Khun Tan, Mae Lao, Wiang Chiang Rung, and Doi Luang.

Important tourist places in Chiang Rai are:

Wat Phra Kaeo

In heart of the city is Trairat Road, Wat Phra Kaeo is the site where one of the most admired statues of Buddha was discovered in 1444 AD. Many state rulers including Lampang, Chiang Rai and Vientiane had moved the statue to be placed in their own capitals as a symbol of dominance before it was finally placed at Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok during the terms of King Rama I of the Rattanakosin Period. The other famous attraction of the temple is a 700 years old bronze statue, Phra Chao Lan Thong, which is housed in the Chiang Saen-style Ubosot.

Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong

Situated on Doi Chom Thong on the bank of the Kok River within Muang district, Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong is known to be the oldest Holy Relic in Thailand. It is dated even before the period when the King Mengrai built Chiang Rai. Now a highly sacred temple in Chiang Rai, it was the very site from where the King Mengrai decided to finalize and to establish the town. The chedi of the temple hold the Holy Relic was probably renovated at the same time the town was being built.

Ho Watthanatham Nithat

Situated at the former town hall, Ho Watthanatham Nithat is a museum with amazing display of ancient antiquities and written texts on history, literature, and indigenous intelligence. On display are also the royal activities of the late Princess Mother at Doi Tung. The museum is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday from 8 in the morning until 3 in the evening.

Chiang Saen National Museum

National Museum of Chiang Saen exhibits many artifacts about archaeology, settlements, and history of the town. On display are the duplicate of the community and several ancient relics including Lanna-style sculptures, Buddha statues, and inscription stones found from Phayao and Chiang Saen. Also on evidence are the indigenous art objects including musical instruments, ornaments, opium-smoking accessories of the Thai Yai, Thai Lu, and other hill tribes.

Wat Phra That Chedi Luang

Chiang Saen old town is the Wat Phra That Chedi Luang built by King Saen Phu, the 3rd ruler of the Lanna Kingdom in early 13th century AD. The most important element in the temple is the bell-shaped chedi built in Lanna-style measuring 88 m in height and 24 m in width at the base. It is the biggest such structure in Chiang Saen. You may also see the remains of ancient wihan and chedi.

Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong

Situated within the city wall, Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong was built in 1489 AD by Prince Thong Ngua, a son of King Tilokkarat, the 12th ruler of Lanna Kingdom. The temple has a 1200-kilogram statue of Buddha statue, Phra Chao Lan Thong, which has a lap width of 2 m and is more than 3 m high. There is another equally famous statue, Phra Chao Thong Thip, cast brass in the Sukhothai style.

The Golden Triangle

9 km from the Chiang Saen old town to the north along the corresponding road to the Mae Khong River is the Golden Triangle. The area where the Mae Khong meets the Ruak River is originally referred to as Sop Rukae and it is here that the borders of three countries, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, meet. The places of many ancient places and structures are worth having a look. The various different legends on the origin of the ancestors of Lanna are traced to this place.

Let’s us help to design your vacation in Thailand or anywhere in the world with various themes of travel for more detailed tours. If you require more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. ULTIMA TRAVEL.