In Thailand�s Hilly Region

It�s relaxed, laid-back, rustic and very inviting. A welcome experience, says Farzana Contractor who spent a few days there.

The majority of the tourists who come to Thailand do so to visit Bangkok. And Phuket, and Pataya. Perhaps understandably, for these are the fun destinations that are now deeply entrenched on the world travel maps. But there is so much more to this country. Northern Thailand, for example has Chiang Mai, which was once upon a time the capital of Thailand, or Lanna, as the old kingdom was called.

It would be the traveller�s loss if he didn�t make at least a short excursion to Chiang Mai. It is like how Bangkok may have been a few decades ago. Laid-back, traditional, nice and easy. And very picturesque. The views from Doi Inthanon, Thailand�s highest peak, are simply spectacular. You see vast land covered by mountains and forests with many streams and rivulets which feed important rivers and irrigation canals which in turn provide water that is so necessary to Chiang Mai�s agriculture.

The most important river here is the Ping and just outside the city, the Ping River Valley is a delightful patchwork of paddy fields, the happy shades of green making it seem like a talented artists� freshly painted canvas. This is Thailand in its true essence.

The rolling hills, the forested mountains, the rivers make the entire province an ideal terrain for the adventure traveller. One can go river-rafting or on four-wheel-drive safaris in a natural wonderland. But the most unique aspect would be trekking in this region. Popular �jungle treks� last from two to seven days and take trekkers through forests, valleys and meadows, as well as visits to more remote high-altitude settlements for overnight stays. These are the hill tribe people, the largest group being Karen, of the famous long-necked, �necklaced� women, followed by the Hmong, Lahu, Akha, and Lisu. Each of these tribe has its own distinctive spiritual beliefs, ceremonial attire, languages, customs, rituals, dances and agricultural practices. It�s a study by itself, how they live in harmony with nature, taxing it the least, while the cities of the world go on a rampage, even as city slickers thoughtlessly and shamelessly exploit natural resources.

Chiang Mai is steeped in culture and architecture and there are temples galore. Wat Phra Sing, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ku Tao, Wat Chet Yot, and what not! But the one temple visit that I would strongly recommend is Wat Phrathat Doi Suithep, situated 15 kms outside town. There is something extra special about this temple.

Elephants are considered sacred animal in this country. There are many elephant camps where people go and get acquainted with and be entertained by them. Chiang Mai also has other interesting farms like the snake farm and the monkey farm where visitors go and watch them in action.

The people of Chiang Mai, like how people living in hills the world over, are friendly and uncomplicated. In town and on a Sunday, a not-to-be-missed outing is a stroll into the tribal Sunday night bazaar. Very enriching, very relaxing, very educative. It�s a high point of being in Chiang Mai. Takes you back in time, it�s where most of us want to be anyways.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY FARZANA CONTRACTOR