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Kodchasri Thani's Location & Suggested Route Trip Around the Hotel :: |
1. Wat Phra Sing
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About 15 Minutes from the Hotel by Car & 20 Minutes by Walking.
Rate (Approximately) THB 40.- for 4 Wheel Red Car / THB 60.- for Tuk Tuk /
Free Rental for Hotel's Bicycle. |
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This temple contains supreme examples of Lanna art. A chedi was first built by
King Pha Yu (r.1337-55) to house the bones of his father King Kam Fu
(r.1328- 37). The original name of the temple was Wat Li Chiang Phra but this
was changed to Wat Phra Singh when the Phra Sihing Buddha image was first
housed there in 1367.
The temple was almost certainly abandoned before Kawila re-established it by
building the ubosot, and rebuilding the chedi. Chao Thammalangka (r.1813-21)
and his successor, Chao Kham Fan (r. 1821-1825) further added (or rebuilt)
the Viharn Lai Kham and the elegant scripture library building. Further
renovations were carried out in the 1920's when Khru Ba Srivichai supervised
the construction of the present main viharn and rebuilt the chedi. The ubosot
and scripture library were renovated in 1929.
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The recently restored Viharn Lai Kham is a classic example of a Lanna style viharn and was built to house the Phra Sihing image enthroned
inside. Lai Kham refers to the elegant gold tracery used for decoration. The front of the building is in three tiers. The portico has finely
carved gables as well as an ornate stucco sum above the main doors.
On the inner walls of the Viharn Lai Kham are some murals originally commissioned by Chao Thammalangka. These are famous for their
period style and the detail depicting earthy northern Thai scenes and the ways of the Burmese Court.
The murals show two fables. Prince Sang Thong of the Golden Conch lies on the north wall and the Heavenly Phoenix takes up the south.
The fables illustrate the long suffering of heroes fighting against the powerful forces of evil before Indra intervenes and allows good to
ultimately triumph.
Recent restoration has removed the earlier restoration of the 1920's to show clearly the original style of the work. Much of the detail has
been lost, however.
The north wall shows work done by a Chinese artist whose likeness is found in a small picture at the top in the middle of the wall.
Directly to the east of the main chedi, the wooden ubosot has ornate carvings around its doors and stucco patterns on the wooden pillars.
The ubosot, which is usually locked, contains a tower-like shrine known as a mondop. The shape of the shrine was said to be similar to an
earlier structure that used to stand in Wat Phra Yeun, Lamphun.
The small scripture repository - ho trai - in the north-east corner is the finest of its type in the north. It sits atop a raised base
decorated with stucco Devas. The upper wooden structure is decorated with carvings and stucco and is covered in glass mosaic and
gilded lacquer.
At the back of the compound are the temple administration buildings, monks' kuti and a small hall contains a reclining Buddha.
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2. Three Kings Monument
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About 10 Minutes from the Hotel by Car & 15 Minutes by Walking.
Rate (Approximately) THB 40.- for 4 Wheel Red Car / THB 60.- for Tuk Tuk /
Free Rental for Hotel's Bicycle. |
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The Three Kings Statue is in front of the old provincial hall very close to the
center of the old city. At the south west corner of the square on Inthawororot
Road is the site of the former temple and original location of Chiang Mai pillar -
Wat Sadoe Muang, which means "temple of the navel of the city". According to
legend the site was a former grove where Mangrai saw two fearless white deer
drive off a pack of hunting dogs. He took this as an auspicious omen for the
siting of the city
The only remains of the temple are two chedi. An inscription nearby dates the
octagonal chedi back to the 14th century. The Buddha images under the shelter
go back to the time of Kawila.
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Behind the monument stands the old provincial hall. It was converted into an Art and Culture Hall. Across Phrapokklao Road to the east
stands the Chiang Mai magistrate court.
On the north-east corner of the Phrapokklao - Ratwithi intersection is Yupparat School, which was built on the grounds of the former
palace of the kings of Chiang Mai. The wooden building that stands at the corner near the intersection is the former stable for white
elephants - a symbol of power and nobility - belonging to former Chao.
The high school, which was founded in 1899, is one of Chiang Mai's oldest schools. It has been at this site since 1922 and now has nearly
three thousand students. A small shrine to King Mangrai stands south on Phrapokklao Road, where it crosses Ratchadamnoen Road.
The spot where King Mangrai was thought to have been struck by lightning is a few meters down a short lane just north of the intersection.
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3. Wat Chedi Luang
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About 5 Minutes from the Hotel by Car & 10 Minutes by Walking.
Rate (Approximately) THB 40.- for 4 Wheel Red Car / THB 60.- for Tuk Tuk /
Free Rental for Hotel's Bicycle. |
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King Saen Muang Ma began building the Phra Chedi Luang to enshrine the relics of
his father at the end of the 14th century, but King Tilokarat completed it. The
chedi used to be 90 meters high before it was partly destroyed in an earthquake
in 1545; it was to remain the tallest structure in Chiang Mai for over 500 years.
The present restored chedi is about 60 meters high.
One of the best times to see this chedi is during the wian tian ceremony in the
evening on one of the main Buddhist festival days.
The large viharn was built in 1928. Round columns with bell shaped bases and
lotus finials support the high red ceiling inside. The standing Buddha image inside
is known as the Phra Chao Attarot. Made of a combination of brass alloy and
mortar, the image dates back to King Saen Muang Ma (r.1385-1401). Buddhist
posters are placed along the walls between the windows, and cabinets with
Buddha images and Bencharong ceramics line the walls.
The cross shaped hall to the south of the main viharn contains the city pillar.
Statues in small shelters surrounding this building are homes of guardian spirits.
Legends say that a hermit (whose image is in a shelter on the west side of the
building) went to the God Indra to ask for protection for the city from enemies.
On condition that appropriate offerings were made, Indra permitted two
kumaphan (mythical human-beast creature) to carry the Inthakhin pillar from
the Tavatimsa heaven to the city.
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Chao Kawila moved the city pillar to its present site from Wat Sadoe Muang in 1800. He built statues of the kumaphan under shelters to
the north and south of the main entrance to the temple. He also planted the three large yang (dipterocarpus alatus) trees. According to
legend, the tree nearest the city pillar will protect Chiang Mai as long as it is not cut down.
Other buildings in the compound include the Lanna campus of the Mahamakut Buddhist University (This is the northern campus for monks
of the Thammayut sect, a reformist sect founded by King Mongkut (Rama IV r.1851-1881, who was dissatisfied with the established
Mahanikai sect in the late 1830's). To the west of the chedi is a viharn with a reclining Buddha and the Sangkhachai Buddha. From this
area an exit leads out onto Chaban Road.
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4. Tapae Gate
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About 5 Minutes from the Hotel by Car & 8-10 Minutes by Walking.
Rate (Approximately) THB 40.- for 4 Wheel Red Car / THB 60.- for Tuk Tuk /
Free Rental for Hotel's Bicycle. |
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Tapae Gate is Chiangmai's main entrance to the old walled city. In days gone by it
was the gate through which traders, diplomats and visiting monks passed when
they had business in the city proper. As the main entry route to Chiangmai was
from the Mae Ping River and down Tapae Road to the gate, this was the main
thoroughfare of Chiangmai. Today, the buildings and growth around the old
moated wall have grown and Chiangmai is a much larger city with much more
business conducted on the outside of the wall than on the inside, but Tapae Road
is still the main thoroughfare and Tapae Gate is still the main entrance to the old
walled city. And, it is still today the main center of Chiangmai's public city
activities and festivals.
All year round from January to December, there are numerous events held at
Tapae Gate. Often these are preceded by parades and floats down Tapae Road
from the river itself. These hark back to the old days when all processions and
important affairs approached the city at Tapae Gate. A few examples of events
centered around Tapae Gate will give you a better idea of how important this
center is to the city.
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In February every year, there are two events held at Tapae Gate that grab the attention of the whole city. One of these is the Flower
Carnival and while parades of flowered floats make their way down Tapae Road the square at Tapae Gate itself is filed with beautiful
displays of flowers and blooming plants of the North. Also in February is the Buddhist Makha Bucha Day. For this event, long processions
of Chiangmai residents drift down Tapae Road with lighted candles, joss sticks and flowers. This is the occasion of the walk around temple
jedees with lighted candles, and in Chiangmai such occasions are city-wide events. Thus, Tapae Road, and Tapae Gate, are important city
centers for the Buddhist festivities as well.
April is another good example of the role Tapae Gate plays in the festivals and events of Chiangmai. This is the time of Songkran, the Thai
New Year. and Tapae Gate is the center of both the famous annual/ Songkran Festival and parade and the city's water- throwing fun,
a most special event of the Songkran festival.
These and many other festivals are only the largest and most festive examples of how Tapae Gate serves Chiangmai and how important it
still is today as the city's main entry point. There are many, many more, the most famous of which is the Loy Krathong Festival. Although
this festival centers on the f'ing River, the beautiful parades that mark this occasion wind down Tapae Road through Tapae Gate, and on
into the old walled city. A very special feature of the Tapae Gate area at Loy Krathong is that it breeches both sides of the city moat and
it is in this moat that people set adrift the Loy Krathong boats, as they do also in the river. At Loy Krathong, all of the Tapae Gate area
and the surrounding moat is lit up in sparkling lights and fountains rise from the moat through devices installed underwater at various
points.
For all of this, however. Tapae Gate offers a great deal more on a regular basis and it provides the visitor with outdoor entertainment
choices all year round. This gate and the square around it, especially today, serve as a meeting point for rural and city people alike. In the
old days it was here that people met daily - for trade, for relaxation, on official business, or for merely entertainment. Today, it is here
that people meet for relaxation,entertainment, and often for the meeting of friends
As Chiangmai continues to grow, we tend to forget the truly rural nature of the area and we forget that rural people all need a city
center to meet. This is a function served by Tapae Gate. It was this way before, and it is this way today.
Visitors to Chiangmai can always find some type of entertainment at Tapae Gate on Saturday night. Every Saturday evening a local band
performs on the permanent stage at one end of Tapae Gate Square; and on many other evenings entertainment may be a guest speaker
on Buddhism, a social campaign against smoking or some of the festival entertainment we discussed above.
An interesting feature of Tapae Cate and the Square where the festivals and entertainment take place is that there are always vendors
available to provide you with food and drink. Unusually, beer is not sold by these vendors (except on the really big festival occasions) but
you can bring your own beer and whiskey. Most Thais do.
The various events held at Tapae Gate are so numerous that we can't possibly recount them here, but if you re in town at any time of the
year, and if you see activity at Tapae Gate, stop and check it out. It s sure to be worth it.
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5. Sunday Walking Street
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About 5 Minutes from the Hotel by Car & 8-10 Minutes by Walking.
Rate (Approximately) THB 40.- for 4 Wheel Red Car / THB 60.- for Tuk Tuk /
Free Rental for Hotel's Bicycle. |
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Every Sunday, from 4pm until midnight, one of Chiang Mai’s great weekly events
takes place. Walking Street Market starts at Thapae Gate and runs along the
length of Ratchadamnoen Road through the heart of the Old City and has become
a Chiang Mai institution. The street, which is closed entirely to traffic, is a focal
point for local people to meet, browse, socialise, haggle and enjoy. There numbers
are considerably swelled by both Thai and foreign visitors to Chiang Mai and the
whole area buzzes with the kind of excitement that can only be generated by
a large number of people at leisure.
Walking Street Market is also known as the Weekend or Sunday market and is
a real showcase of the art and craftsmanship of Northern Thailand. Many of
the stallholders have personally made the items they sell and the many
hand crafted objects are a testimony to the skills and inventiveness of
local people.
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The goods available are made from an incredible array of materials including: wood, metals, ceramics, fabrics, paper, coconuts and much
more besides. The products are truly authentic and original and are the perfect place to find gifts or beautiful things to decorate your
home. If you are purchasing, don’t forget to bargain. Any item that is not marked with a fixed price is open for negotiation and is all part
of the fun. The stall holders, many of whom have other jobs and only trade at the market, love banter and as long as you smile and barter
in a good natured way you will have a great experience.
Food and drink is also available in glorious abundance at the Sunday Market. There are a number of temples along Rachadamnoen Road and
their grounds are open to vendors, many of whom sells fabulous local treats fresh cooked before your eyes.
The Sunday Market is the best place in Chiang Mai to see genuine Thai style street entertainment. Right along the length of
the Ratchadamoen Road are pavement artists of all descriptions, traditional musicians, Thai dancers, living statues, puppet shows and
rock bands. This all adds to the festive nature of the market and makes it an unmissable event.
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6. Saturday Walking Street
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About 5 Minutes from the Hotel by Car & 10 Minutes by Walking.
Rate (Approximately) THB 40.- for 4 Wheel Red Car / THB 60.- for Tuk Tuk /
Free Rental for Hotel's Bicycle. |
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Saturday Market on Wualai Road (the street that shoots off at an angle just
outside the Chiang Mai gate on the south side of the old city) officially starts at
17:00, although the road will be closed to cars from about 14:00 onwards; it's
pretty much over by 23:00. It's the old silver working district, and some shops
stay open late on this day. Like the better-known Sunday Market, there's lots of
food and local crafts.
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7. Buak Had Park
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About 15 Minutes from the Hotel by Car & 25-30 Minutes by Walking.
Rate (Approximately) THB 40.- for 4 Wheel Red Car / THB 60.- for Tuk Tuk /
Free Rental for Hotel's Bicycle. |
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Buak Had Park, Chiang Mai is situated on Bamnung Buri Road. The park is
consider ed as the most famous picnic spot not only by the locals but by tourists
too.
Buak Had Park, Chiang Mai is very artistically designed and maintained. In fact out
of all other Chiang Mai Parks & Gardens this park is famous for its beautiful
landscapes.You can relax and enjoy the calm and serene surroundings of Buak Hat
Park, Chiang Mai. If you want to run away from the crowds of the city this place
is perfect for you.
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Buak Had Park, Chiang Mai has lush green lawns you can see vibrant flowers tall palm trees or just sit and enjoy looking children play near
a fountain. If you are feeling hungry then you should look for snack vendor present in the premises of the park.
This park offers peaceful environment, it is a perfect place for spending some quality time with your family and close friends.
The greenery of the Buak Hat Park, Chiang Mai makes your outing all the more relaxing.
Buak Had Park, Chiang Mai also plays host to important festivals & events in Chiang Mai. Recently the famous Chiang Mai Flower Festival
was held in the premises of this park.The annual flower festival displays more than 3000 species of orchid bloom. You can also buy orchid
during this festival. The focus of exhibition is on Damask Rose, a special variety found only in Chiang Mai, as well as yellow and white
chrysanthemums. The festival also holds, floral displays and local handicrafts sales.
The Buak Had Park, Chiang Mai opens daily from 7 in the morning to 7 in the evening. This is perfect place for light exercises like walking,
jogging and cycling.
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