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The hill-country is known as The Golden Triangle. It borders Burma and Laos and holds the rivers Mekong and Mae Kok and this is where most of the hilltribes are concentrated.
There are six principal hilltribes in Thailand: The Karen (known as Karieng) who arrived from across the Salween River in Burma. The Lisu, Lahu and Akha who are also from Burma (from the northern Shan state). The Hmong and The Mien crossed into Thailand from Laos. Out of these tribes only the Mien have any written records, therefore it is impossible to know the full history of these tribes. The tribes all have their own distinct costumes and rituals.
For me the most interesting tribe is the sub-group of Karen, found mainly in Burma but a few have made it across into Thailand. Padaung women wear permanent rings which are added to from girlhood. The rings gradually push down the collar bone to give a strange and unnaturally long neck. Rings can also be worn on the legs and the arms. When we encountered the Karen tribe, I had numerous piercings and I am still, to this day unclear as to who thought whom the oddist! They were clearly as intrigued by me as I was by them. The did not speak Thai, we were unable to communicate in any way other than smiles but I managed to buy some woven items from them and I was given a neck ring which I treasure.
If you get the oppertunity to experience some of the hilltribes, you should. The handi-crafts they make are exquisite and of exceptional quality. I have bags that are over 10 years old and still going, like new :)
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The old Chiang Mai cultural center has a daily evening dance and dinner. The dinner starts around 7pm. The dinner is traditional Lanna cuisine-khantoke. There are some tables, but it's traditional to sit on the floor-plus you have a better view. The khantoke is a circular tray with stand. Various dishes will be brought to you on that table-like all or most asian food-it's family style. Some dishes include curries, fried pumpkin, fried chicken, fried pork skins, sticky rice and a few others.
The higlight of the program is the dance. There are two types of dance. The one inside (where you eat)-shows traditional Thai dance. At the end they try and bring up people from the audience to dance with them. After that -you make your way to a smaller theater-this is the hilltribe show. This show introduces you to the various hilltribes, their clothing and some of their music. Each tribe dances for a few minutes. I am not sure if they like doing this, since many aren't smiliing and i hope they aren't put on as a human zoo. There is also a Thai performance artist-who breathes fire and such. After it's over-the way to the exit-has been transformed into a tiny hilltribe night bazaar. If you want to get some hilltribe goods-this is probably the best place to buy them-since they get the money. Not a retailer.
The cultural center provides free transportation. Should make reservations. Also, if you are vegetarian-you should tell them this -so they can alter the set menu. Leave a Comment
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These gardens are unbelievable. The grounds are huge, everything is kept to perfection. They have an Orhid farm, fountains flowers everything. Leave a Comment
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This is a popular place of worshipfor the kings of the old Lanna Kingdom. The monument fronts a huge square where events like small concerts or fairs are sometimes held on weekends.
Behind the monument is the Thai Art & Culture Hall, where entry is free for visitors to some of the exhibits. Those interested in supporting local artists can also purchase some of the original artworks and canvasses, or other less costly souvenirs. Leave a Comment Address: Inthawarorot Road
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This is one of my favorite wats in Thailand. The large chedi is built in the old Lanna style, constructed around 1441. It's now in partial ruins due to a large earthquake, which occurred in the 16th century. For a time, this was the home of the holiest Buddha image, the Emerald Buddha before it was moved to it's final location, Wat Phra Kaew in Bankgok.
The wat has gone through some major reconstruction work. Mostly repairing the naga staircases.
At night, the large chedi is lit up at night and looks beautiful. Leave a Comment Address: Phra Pok Klao Road.Directions: In the old city.
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This is one of those touristy things that I usually don't like doing but I was very interested in the silk production. It was well worth visiting the factory to see the demonstration of how it all works. You do not have to buy anything but naturally, I did! The fabrics are beautiful so I couldn't resist.
It takes something like 2,000 cocoons to make 1 yard of silk fabric. The process is very interesting. Leave a Comment Directions: Hire a car and driver for $2.50/hour and have him take you to only those factories you want to visit. DON'T TAKE A TOUR.
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This is the oldest wat in Chiang Mai. King Mengrai supposedly lived in this temple, while the city of Chiang Mai was being built.
The highlight of the complex is the chedi surrounded by stone elephant heads. Leave a Comment Address: Off Ratcha Phakhinai RoadDirections: old city
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This market is a very lively affair. By around 4 to 5 in the afternoon, vendors start getting their stalls in place along Chang Khlan Road.
Do turn of in the smaller streets, as there are many shops, and also eateries around.
You don’t have to go shopping to enjoy the Night Market, as it has a great atmosphere and sometimes live entertainment.
If you do want to shop – the initial price given to you is highly inflated. I often got an item for about a third of the original price. During March, when I visited, there aren’t as many tourists, so it seemed that prices were a bit lower. You have to bargain! Address: Chang Khlan Rd
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- Star Hotel Chiangmai
36 Soi 4, Loi Kroh Road Muang, Chiang Mai - Amora Tapae Formerly Rydges Chiangmai
22 Chaiyaphum Road Tambol Changmoi, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai - Holiday Garden
16/ 16 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai - Amora Tapae Chiang Mai
22 Chaiyaphum Road Tambol Changmoi, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai - Amari Rincome Hotel Chiang Mai
1 Nimmanhaeminda Road, Chiang Mai - D2
100 Chang Klan Rd, Tambol Chang Klan Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai - Lanna Mantra Chiang Mai
146 Paton Rd Tambon Paton, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai - Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai
110 Changklan Road, Muang, Chiang Mai - Northern Heritage Resort Golf & Spa
PO Box 14, San Kamphang, Chiang Mai - Raming Lodge
17-19 Loikroh Rd. Changklan District Muang, Chiang Mai - Imperial Mae Ping Hotel
153 Sridonchai Road Chang Klan, Chiang Mai - Raming Lodge
17-19 Loikroh Rd. Changklan District Muang, Chiang Mai - Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
51/4 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road Moo 1, Tambol Tasala , Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai - Sheraton Chiangmai Hotel
318 / 1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road (formerly Sheraton), Chiang Mai - The Regent Chiang Mai Rsrt&Spa
Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Rd Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
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