L et’s Go,
HOT MAGAZINE RECOMMEND
Chiang Mai
T
ravellers know it well, the colorful land of lanterns and more that is located 700 km north of Bangkok. It was the former seat of the Lanna Kingdom, hence the name (Chiang Mai means “new city”) when it succeeded Chiang Rai as the capital. Now it is a paradise for adventurers, epicures and the soulseeker. Chiang Mai is the fourth largest city in Thailand and once you stand in the midst of it all—where past meets the present, city meets forest, you’ll inevitably fall in love with the “Rose of the North”.
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HOT Magazine
Chiang Mai was founded in 1296, on the banks of the Ping River and it has flourished to be one of the most livable places in all of Southeast Asia. It’s a great place to really immerse into the culture of Thailand side by side with the breathtaking landscape of Northern Thailand. Most of the action happens inside the Old City, where you’ll find plenty of guest houses, restaurants, the most famous temples as well as the popular Sunday Market. Downtown is actually pretty small and easy to navigate, while just outside the city walls, the Night Bazar and Loi Kroh
headlines as another popular hangout. As is much of Thailand, Chiang Mai is home to over 300 Buddhist temples. The most famous is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which stands on Doi Suthep to the north-west of the city. The temple dates from 1383 and is cherished as an embodiment of Lanna architecture. The journey up the winding mountain road is an experience in itself. You can rent a scooter, a car or take a songthaew to get to the bustling market at the foot of the temple but you still have 309 steps to climb before you reach the revered temple. The mountain, on which the
