Chiang Mai, is Thailand’s second largest city. The city was established in 1296 with the name of Nopburi Si Nakhon Ping Chiang Mai, meaning “New Walled City”. Later in the 14th and 15th centuries, it became the centre of spiritual and culture for the kingdom of million Thai rice fields. The eighth world synod of Theravada Buddhism was held in Chiang Mai in 1477.
Thai King Thaksin regain control of Chiang Mai from the Burmese and appoint a jâo meuang (lord) named Chao Kavila from nearby Lampang as viceroy of Northern Thailand in 1775 and established Chiang Mai as Thailand’s northern capital. Kavila also built the monumental walls around the city with Th Tha Phae (thâa phae means 'raft pier') as a river port. This has created a migration of people to this important trade centre.
Many Shan and Burmese style temples built in the 19th century came from these wealthy teak merchants. The linking of the northern railway in 1921 brought an influx of people and tourists to this once difficult to reach region. Chiang Mai’s original commercial trade was later replaced by the tourism industry.
Its mild temperature during the festival seasons are the main reason tourist began to flock this capital of hidden treasures. Its symbolic handcrafted artifacts, weavings, silverworks and umbrellas have become a trademark of Chiang Mai and making shopping the most popular acitivities among tourist.
