Touring the Thousand Temples in Chiang Mai

KOMPAS.com - If you like the weather is cool, Chiang Mai is the perfect place for you! In addition to convenient air, save a million charm of this city that is ready to be explored.

Chiang Mai is a city in Thailand that has the most Buddhist temples. Almost in every corner of this city, you'll easily find a place of Buddhist worship them. Not to mention the culinary riches, cheap shopping centers, as well as the beautiful panorama of Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains. No doubt, this city is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai is located about 700 kilometers north of Bangkok. Every day there are several trains that serve the majors to Chiang Mai from Hualamphong station, Bangkok. In addition, intercity buses serving the route to Chiang Mai set out with sufficient frequency often. If you want to use the aircraft, Chiang Mai can be reached by direct flights from Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Compared to Phuket and Pattaya are located in the southern part of Thailand, Chiang Mai is much more appropriately used as a cultural tourist destination with family. The atmosphere was friendly, offering natural beauty and unique culture. Yet somehow, Chiang Mai is not very popular among Asian tourists. This city has long been a favorite destination for backpackers from Europe and North America. But tourists from China and India are usually crowded city of Bangkok, even rarely seen in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai history began over 700 years ago when King Mengrai founded the city in 1296 as the capital of the kingdom of Lanna. Areas of Chiang Mai's old town is surrounded by high walls and canals. Currently only a small portion of the city walls are still intact. Old town areas that are within the walls of this store's unique charm most of Chiang Mai.

If we look at a map of the city of Chiang Mai, the old town surrounded by walls in the center of the city. When observed more closely, the center of the city of Chiang Mai is Wat Chedi Luang, which is a Buddhist temple complex which can be described as the zero kilometer Chiang Mai. This fact is very interesting. Chiang Mai city is already classified as metropolitan was pinned in a Buddhist temple. This shows that Buddhism has become part of people's lives attached to Chiang Mai since centuries ago.

The main pagoda at Wat Chedi Luang complex has a height of 85 meters, once the tallest building in Chiang Mai for over 500 years. As a result of the earthquake, this pagoda was collapsing but has now been restored. Unique case of Wat Chedi Luang other is round the sculpture collection stored in one of the buildings in the temple complex. It was a waxwork figure of a monk who had served at Wat Chedi Luang. At first glance, this wax is very similar to the original human. Local people often pray in front of him with various offerings.

Not far from Wat Chedi Luang, the temple complex there are other, no less interesting. Temple or monastery called Wat Pan Thao. Unlike the other temples which are usually dominated by the color of gold, building Thao Wat Pan is made of teak wood, which reveal the original color. The interior of the temple is decorated with Buddha statues and a number of items of ancient pottery.

His name has not been to Chiang Mai if you do not visit Wat Doi Suthep, the temple complex is situated in the hills, about 15 kilometers from downtown Chiang Mai. That said, the temple holds sacred relics of Buddha's bones. Wat Doi Suthep is considered very sacred by Buddhists. Pilgrims who come not only from Thailand, but also from neighboring countries like Burma and Laos.

Although still actively used as a place of prayer, Wat Doi Suthep is open to the public. Not just for Buddhists only. At Wat Doi Suthep, we can see the panoramic view of Chiang Mai from a height. The most interesting sights is the plane taking off or about to land at Chiang Mai Airport. Everything can be seen from the height of the Doi Suthep!

If you have enough time, there is no harm in visiting Bhuping Palace which is the summer palace of the royal family of Thailand. If King Bhumibol and his family was not at the palace, Bhuping Palace opened to the public. If you are lucky enough to come in spring or summer, you can also enjoy the flower gardens of King Bhumibol's large courtyard. This palace complex was built in 1961, so the building is not yet so old. Another unique thing that can be witnessed by visitors is the world's largest bamboo tree. Location bamboo tree is located on the hillside, so it took extra effort to see it.

Who says there's just cheap places to shop in Bangkok? Chiang Mai had a Sunday Market and Night Bazaar which is not less swing with a shopping center in Bangkok. If the visit Sunday Market, you will only see the products of Thai handicrafts. Not imported goods from China as they are commonly found in other places. Since the original item Thailand, the designs are very unique and hard to find elsewhere. Sunday Market in Chiang made the perfect places to shop for souvenirs.

Before leaving Chiang Mai, do not forget to taste the Khao Soi, the typical food of this region. Khao soi is yellow noodles served with spicy curry sauce. As a complement, khao soi is usually eaten with pickles and sea food. Very unique and distinctive flavor. Worth a try! (Hairun Fahrudin)

More information about the trip to Chiang Mai can be found in the book "Backpacking: Thailand" by Hairun Fahrudin, published by PT Elex Media Komputindo. The book is available at all bookstores nearby Scholastic.

Sources: www.easybackpacking.blogspot.com