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About 700 kilometers
north of Bangkok, Chiangmai is located in a
fertile valley some 1,000 feet above sea-level.
A stone inscription found at a temple in the
city indicates that Chiangmai was officially
established in 1296 by King Mengrai as the new
capital of the Kingdom of Lanna, literally "million
rice fields". King Mengrai invited his
two fellow monarchs, King Ramkamhaeng of the
Sukhothai Kingdom and King Ngam Muang of the
Phayao Kingdom to select the site of the new
city, named "Nopphaburi Sri Nakhon Phing
Chiangmai". It has been called for short
"Chiangmai" literally "New Town".
Chiangmai is often
spoken by tourists and visitors as being a city
with a distinct beauty and cultural heritage
of its own. Along with its numerous ancient
temples and buildings. Chiangmai is also famous
for its varied and beautiful handicrafts. Nature
added her own handiwork in the majestic mountains
and valleys that dip and roll through Chiangmai.
All these elements combine to compose a captivating
symphony which draws both domestic and international
tourists back to see this city of old time,
time, and time again.
Since its establishment,
Chiangmai had blossomed into a glorious city
of trade, fine art, culture and Buddhism until
the Burmese took control of the city in 16th
century. After the two centuries of burmese
rule, Chiangmai was finally won back by King
Kavila, the northern warlord, who sub-sequently
restored the city on behalf of the Chakri Dynasty.
After the fall of
the Ayuthaya Kingdom to the Burmese army, King
Kawila, Lord of Lampang, joined King Taksin
to push back the Burmese in the north. By 1776,
Chiangmai was liberated. King Kawila ruled the
north from Lampang, first on behalf of King
Taksin of the Thonburi Kingdom and then the
Chakri monarchy, until the re-establishment
of Chiangmai as the northern capital of Thailand
in 1796.
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