Chiangmai is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiangmai Province as well as the second largest out 76 provinces of Thailand. King Mengrai the Great was the founder as the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom by merging the various city states in the region in 1296. It is located approximately 700 km north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River.
In recent years, Chiangmai has become an increasingly modern city, although it lacks the cosmopolitan gloss of Bangkok. It has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiangmai's historic importance is derived from its important strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry (particularly silver) and woodcarving.
While officially the city of Chiangmai only covers most parts of the Mueang Chiangmai district with a population of 150,000, the urban sprawl of the city now extends into several neighboring districts. This Chiangmai Metropolitan Area has a population of almost 700,000 people, nearly half the total of Chiangmai Province. The city itself is subdivided into 4 wards: Nakhon Ping, Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kavila. The first three wards are on the west bank, while Kavila is located on the east back of Ping River. Nakhon Ping ward covers the north side of the city. Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kavila cover the west, south, and east side respectively. The central part(old town) is covered mostly by Srivijaya ward and partly by Nakhon Ping and Mengrai wards.
The are certainly many great and well known temples in Chiangmai. Just to name the most famous temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and oldest temple of Wat Chiang Man.
Wat Prathat Doi Suthep dates from 1383 standing on a hill to the north-west of the city. Its builders allegedly chose its site by placing a relic of the Lord Buddha on an elephant's back and letting the elephant roam until it came across a place where it trumpeted and circled before lying down. The onlookers took this as marking an auspicious place to build the temple. The temple's location also affords superb views over the city on a clear day. Best visit during year end with cool breeze and nice blue sky.
Wat Chiang Man once King Mengrai lived here while overseeing the construction of the city. This temple houses two very important and venerated Buddha figures such as Phra Sila (a marble Buddha) and Phra Satang Man (a crystal Buddha).