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Chiang Mai Province

Includes  Why Go? ...... 306 ’s northern capital is an overnight train ride and Mae Rim ...... 354 light years away from the bustle and bombast of . Chiang Dao...... 355 Wrestled from Burmese control by the kingdom of Siam, the Doi Ang Khang...... 357 former capital of the Lanna people is a captivating collec- tion of glimmering monasteries, manic markets, modern ...... 358 shopping centres, and quiet residential streets that would ...... 358 not look amiss in a country village. San Kamphaeng Chiang Mai is more country retreat than mega-metropolis, & Bo Sang ...... 360 but this historic city has evolved into a major traveller cen- Hang Dong ...... 361 tre, luring everyone from backpacking teenagers to young Ban Tawai ...... 361 families, round-the-world retirees and a huge contingent of youthful tourists from China, who are redefining the travel- National Park ...... 361 ler experience in the city. Historic monasteries and cooking courses are just part of the picture. The surrounding province is a jumble of for- ested hills, and thrill seekers flock here for rafting, hiking, mountain biking and other adrenaline-charged activities, Best Places to Eat while less energetic visitors interact with elephants, soak ¨¨SP Chicken (p340) in hot springs and wander around experimental farms and lush botanic gardens. ¨¨Talat Pratu Chiang Mai (p341) ¨¨Ginger & Kafe @ The When to Go House (p342) ¨¨Chiang Mai is at its best during the cool season, roughly ¨¨Tengoku (p344) from November to February, when temperatures are mild and ¨¨Chiang Dao Nest (p357) rain is scarce. ¨¨The hot season runs from March until June, and the mercury regularly climbs above 35°C; pick a hotel with a pool! Best Places to Stay ¨¨Songkran in April is Chiang Mai’s biggest festival – and ¨¨Anantara Resort & Spa biggest party – but book well ahead for transport and (p338) accommodation. ¨¨Rachamankha (p336) ¨¨Baan Orapin (p338) ¨¨Mo Rooms (p336) ¨¨Awanahouse (p334) Chiang Mai Province Highlights 305 110 1

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W e a National Park M Mae Kampong National Park Tha Doi Khun Tan Ton 109 118 Thoen Doi Inthanon Doi Scaling Exploring the mystical the mystical Exploring Jungle bathing in the Jungle bathing 1 San Kamphaeng Hot Springs 11 San Kamphaeng ) at San (p361) at San springs hot Kamphaeng. 7 8 6 ) to see plunging falls plunging falls see (p361) to and modernist chedi (p356) in cave Chiang Dao Chiang Dao. 107 1 Fang Bo Sang LAMPANG Si Lanna Lamphun MAI i National Park Doi Saket CHIANG Mae Taeng Ban Tawai Mae Rim Pasang 1184 106 o

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a Suthep-Pui M Hang Dong Chiang Da National Park Doi Chiang National Park 50 km (p317 t Ho Samoeng earning how to make make to how earning 25 miles Plunging into the Plunging into L Joining the human shoppinghuman the Joining Talat Talat of beehive commercial Warorot green curry during a Chiang curry green (p328). class Mai cooking 4 5 3 Saturday at the Saturday parade and Sunday Street Walking (p316 Street Walking Chom Thong Ob Luang Doi Inthanon MAI National Park CHIANG Doi Inthanon National Park 108 0 0 Mae Hong Son Chiang Mai’s Chiang Mai’s Wat Chedi ), Wat

105 Moei 108 Ngao Mae SON MAE HONG Mae Ngao Ban Sop Sariang National Park Taking in Taking ae Nam at Monk monks Meeting M Chiang Mai Province Highlights ) and discovering Chat (p328) and discovering Chiang Mai’s what motivates men in orange. 2 1 Wat Phra Phra – Wat trinity golden Singh (p307 Wat Phra Phra Luang (p311) and Wat (p322). Suthep That Doi Salawin National Park