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Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
Trip Planning & Itineraries
9:33 AM Sunday, Nov 22
Partly sunny. Warm.
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Chiang Mai has a striking mountain backdrop, over 300 temples and a quaint historical aura. It's also a modern, friendly, internationally flavored city with much to offer - food, accommodation and shopping are all top quality and cheap, and the nights are relatively cool.
Thais often tout Chiang Rai as an alternative to Chiang Mai, although it's not nearly as colorful and there's less to do in town. On the other hand it's a little more laid-back, and anyone interested in trekking will find they can reach village areas quicker than from Chiang Mai.
Suggested Itineraries: Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai's plethora of temples will probably exhaust you before you exhaust them. For variety, try a wander round the night bazaar, acquaint yourself with local culture at the museums, or practice your Buddhist calm under a palm tree in the city's gardens.
Originally called Wat Pa Yia (Bamboo Forest Monastery) in local dialect, Wat Phra Kaew is Chiang Rai's most revered Buddhist temple. Legend says that in 1434 lightning struck the temple's octagonal stupa, which fell apart to reveal the Phra Kaew Morakot or Emerald Buddha (actually made of jade).
- Plan Chiang Mai vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- Chiang Mai hotels from PlanetWare
- Hotels in Chiang Mai from HotelsCombined.com
- English-language news from the Chiangmai Mail
