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Chiang
Mai is Thailand's principal northern city. Chiang
Mai is the pro-vincial capital of a largely
mountainous province, also called Chiang Mai,
which is some 20,000 square kilometres in area.
Chiang Mai city is 700 kilometres north of
Bangkok, was founded in 1296, and is located in a
fertile valley some 300 matres above sea level.
Chiang Mai was the capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom
of One Million Ricefields), the first independent
Thai kingdom within the fabled Golden Triangle.
Chiang Mai flourished as a major religious,
cultural and trading centre until 1556 when a
Burmese invasion reduced it to a vassal state.
The Burmese were expelled in 1785, whereupon
Lanna Thai once again became part of northern
Thailand.
Many lowland Thais regard Chiang Mai city and
province as being something of a national
Shangri-la, thanks to its beautiful women,
distinctive festivals, historic temples dating
from the 1300s, arresting scenic beauty,
temperate fruits such as apples peaches and
strawberries, and a crisp, invigorating cool
season climate. |
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