Real Life Captured #40: Buddhist Temples of Chiang Mai Thailand and Historic Summary of the City! (14 photos)
My steemit friends! Recently I got to experience the joy of living in Chiang Mai for three weeks. I truly mean it is a joy. Great food, great culture, great people, and it's all incredibly affordable! Did I mention great history? This city is over 700 years old! First established 1296 as the Capital of the Lanna Kingdom, translated to Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields!
Today there still is a moat and parts of the original wall going around the old town of the city. It's a several kilometer protective perimeter in a perfect square. The battles that have taken place here must have been unreal. The city had to defend it's for hundreds of years from Chinese invaders from the north, Burmese to the west, Cambodians to the South East, and Siamese to the South.
Having rich fertile land and being a main trading town all of the Lanna Kingdoms neighbors wanted to take this gem of a city for themselves; and they all tried to. Finally in 1557 the Burmese conquered Chiang Mai and incorporated it into their kingdom as a vessel state, and it stayed that way for over 200 years until the Siamese assisted the people in reclaiming their independence driving out the Burmese in 1774.
Eventually Chiang Mai became part of the Siam Kingdom in 1892, and in 1932 the whole of the Chiang Mai Area was incorporated into Siam. In 1949 Siam became officialy known as the country of Thailand, and it's borders have changed very little since then. If you have ever heard of the Broadway play the "King and I" about the King of Siam; that's Thailand!
One thing has remained the same over all those years; that being the Buddhist religion. To this day Chiang Mai is one of the more religious cities in the country having more Buddhist temples per square kilometer than any other city in the land. While taking a walk through old town, you will see temples dotted all over the place.
With Buddhist culture and religion being such a central part of life here; Chiang Mai is one of the more conservative cities in the country. Bars close at two AM where in other cities they often stay open all night. Prostitution is still legal, but they keep it to one street away from the temples and the city center. You don't see many lady boys either. Things in general are pretty low key for a country well known for it's wild atmosphere; recently popularized by movies such as "The Hangover Two".
All in all Chiang Mai is one of my favorite cities in the world. It's laid back, rich in history and culture, incredibly affordable, and if you're ever feeling stressed out just go for a walk. Sit down in a Buddhist temple and take in the peaceful surrounding it offers. Now let's have a look at some of these amazing temples in Chiang Mai!
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With over 11 years of travel experience I answer travel and international lifestyle questions. Leave a question in the comments and I may make a Steemit post just for you!
I should really travel to Northern Thailand, I have only seen the South and Bangkok so far. Well, maybe this summer.. The Buddhist temples look beautiful!
I actually published a post on the Otavalo market today, I have also put a link to your post about the market in Quito since your real life captured photos seem to be a great addition :)
Awesome brother. I'll go check it out now.
I absolutely loved Chiang Mai, I was there in February last year, such an incredible place! Great pics, took me straight back there :)
Thank you. One of my favorite cities too!
this is why I really like reading your adventures and blogs because you tell something more about the story and history behind place that makes it unique and it makes readers feel more fascinated and we feel like we are on a tour :)
Wow! Thank you so much. I'm doing the best I can to just be me! So glad you enjoy my work here on steemit. Comments like these really warm my heart and make me feel my efforts are worth it. Thank you! -Dan
you're welcome :) and your hard work shows in your blog esp. on gathering data and info about the places you visit and it makes it more enjoying to read :)
You know? The best thing of your blog is these photos.....
Often I don't control myself to read much instead of seeing those photos.
I'm happy you enjoy it! Even if reading the articles is not your thing :)
Nice photography!! and of course the article.
Thank you. So glad you enjoy my work! -Dan
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always great!!
Thanks Statman!
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