Saturday 26 March 2011

The Chester of Thailand



The comparisons between Chiang Mai (North West Thailand) and Chester (North West England) are manifold. Both are historic walled cities, with only tantalising fragments of these walls and gates remaining in the present day. Okay, that's about it. So they have about as much in common as Edinburgh and Athens then.

I like Chiang Mai. Its one square mile (literally square) historic centre is a lot easier to get my head around than historic Bangkok, and at 300 metres above sea level in the fresh Himalayan air, the heat is a lot more bearable too. IT EVEN HAS A MOAT. But if you're allergic to temples, you probably shouldn't click here


Chiang Mai:
The Walled City



Stone elephants guard Wat Chiang Mun, the city's oldest temple (1296)



Wat Chiang Mun interior



Wat Phra Singh



Phra Singh Buddha in Lai Kam Chapel
(with 1922 replacement head)



Buak Haad Park



Crumbly Jenga fun, Wat Jedlin



Creaky bamboo bridge fun, Wat Jedlin



Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Dave, Wat Jedlin

Yeah, I know it isn't aligned correctly, but I didn't get a second chance. A friendly monk came over asking if I wanted him to take my photo, and I would have felt too stupid explaining what I was doing. So I ran away



Three Kings Monument



Wat Chedi Luang. This impressive bastard's seen its share of earthquakes
(1401, reconstructed 1992)






Another lazy Buddha, Wat Chedi Luang



Talk about an offer you can't refuse!


Next episode: 'That's Brother Dave To You!'