Travel Guide
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. 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.