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Introducing Chiang Mai Province
Chiang Mai Province straddles the most important historical crossroads of northern Southeast Asia, a fertile region of mountains, valleys and rivers where peoples from China, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand have long traded goods and ideas in a fusion of cultures. This blend has been further enlivened by the presence of tribal societies – such as the Hmong-Mien – whose ethnic heritage knows no fixed political boundaries.
In past centuries Chiang Mai served as an entrepôt for a flourishing caravan trade in opium, silks and timber. Today it is Thailand’s second-largest city and the north’s principal hub for tourism, transport, education and cross-border commerce. In a period of rapid development, Chiang Mai – crowned to the west by Doi Suthep mountain and its sacred temple, and centred on a moated old town – has managed to retain its charm and laid-back feel. Find ancient chedi (stupas) side by side with modern architecture, a delicious and distinctive cuisine, accommodation ranging from back-packing digs to boutique hotels, as well as great shopping, pampering spas and a myriad of courses to try out.
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