Chiang Mai 2.......Well I have been two more times to the Thai night club with its rock bands, great evenings, one joined in with a group of Thai revellers, the second met four French guys, all singing and dancing to the amazing music.
Chiang Mai has 79 temples. The city was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai. In 1558, Chiang Mai began over 200 years under Burmese control. It was retaken by Thai King Taksin in 1774. Today's Chiang Mai is the economic and cultural capital of the north of Thailand, retaining a great deal of its charm within its ancient walls. The centre has a one kilometre square moat and city wall, surrounding a rich complex of narrow lanes and paths, old houses, tiny shops and a Wat around every corner. I have visited three Temples so far. Wat Pa Pao is the first Thai Yai (an ethnic group originating in the Shan States of Burma) temple in Chiang Mai built in 1883. The temple is described as the finest example of the rich cultural heritage of Shan people. Probably because of their remoteness and their high demographic presence, the Shans in northern Thailand are confident, culturally secure, and very sure of their place in the scheme of things. Like the central Thais they are devout Buddhists, and their flourishing temples, reminiscent of Burma and of Shan State, have long excited the curiosity of visitors to Chiang Mai. But Wat Pa Pao is surrounded by classrooms and is full of Shan children, some studying, some watching rehearsals for a music and dancing performance, some just playing. We make an offering to the monk in residence who kindly blesses us, then watch a little of the rehearsals. This is certainly a living Temple.
Just up the road is Wat Chiang Yuen. It is an ancient temple with an octogan shape monastery in the Burmese style, enshrining a Burmese style Buddha image. Wat Chiang Yuan is where every King had to pay homage to the Buddha image in order to gain good fortune in life. It is an impressive building with an impressive gold Buddha half lit in an otherwise dark temple. Incongruously around the outside is a line of stone animals, elephant, rabbit, dog, tiger etc., a delight for visiting children I would think.
The third temple is Wat Chedi Luang, or Wat Chotikaram. It is located right in the middle of the city and completed in 1481. It is an impressive high stone structure, the steps on four sides guarded by scary dragons.
Had a look at the nearby Three Kings Monument. King Mengrai, King ramkamhaeng of Sukothai and King Ngam Muang of Payao worked together to lay out the city of Chiang Mai. The sculpture has become an iconic image representing the city and its history.
