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Chiang Mai-Thailand's Second City |
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Chiang
Mai, 761 by rail, approximately 700 kilometers by road north
of Bangkok, with an area of 20,107 square kilometers, is Thailand's
second largest city and capital of the northern region. It is an
entity unto itself. Chaing Mai counts among its attractions a
famous night market, great hill tribe villages nearby and a host of
world-class accommodation at less than Bangkok prices. It also has,
alas, a reputation for world-class pollutions.
The city,
like Bangkok earlier is undergoing great strain as it strives to
grow in both stature and size. That however does not seem to
deter tourists and a veritable army of experts who prefer to call
it home.
Chaing Mai,
besides playing host to countless Wats and the world
famous Ping river, is also a convenient jumping off
point to other countries in the Mekong region, such as
Laos and Southern China. Cheap and cheerful airlines
with matching fares have made it much more affordable
for folks to travel by air between the capitol, Bangkok,
and Thailand's second city. For golfers Chaing Mai has
plenty of variety
www.thailandgolfmaps.com with courses designed to
please most standards of golfers nearby. |
The fall
and winter season begin in late October and run through
until early March, with temperatures much cooler than
those of the South and even Bangkok. In fact visitors to
the North often bring sweaters to ensure their warmth at
night. Perhaps the most important asset Chiang Mai can
claim is its people. Their beauty, hospitality and good
manners are legendary throughout Thailand. In the past,
Chiang Mai has been a city of economic, religious and
political importance. Present-day culture has very deep
roots. Chiang Mai has its own dialect and its own
cuisine. These have given it a sense of cultural
security.
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