Lanna culture is a colorful combination of various elements brought together from both historic and multi-ethnic contexts. With Chiang Mai being a place of trade along the historic Silk Road, it has been a crossroads for centuries of various cultures that make up the blend that is found here today. Many different peoples still retain their unique languages, traditional dress, and customs in this varied community.
Lanna heritage takes shape all over the city in the forms of language, clothing, art, architecture, music, food, and more. Right away, those who have an ear for language will notice that many around them are speaking the regional dialect Kam Muang, or Northern Thai, which is quite different from standard Central Thai. In addition, the people here still wear the local clothing, pa muang, which may be dyed cobalt blue or an array of other colors.
Another characteristic of Lanna that people notice immediately is the volume of artistry the culture is infused with. Chiang Mai has long been an arts center with areas like the Baan Tawai wood carvers’ enclave, and the Bor Sang umbrella-making village.
Architecture is another area of northern culture that grabs the eyes of visitors. For example, large structures such as the landmark Pratu Thapae Gate is typical for ancient walled cities in the area, with similar giant wooden gates in historic brick walls found in nearby cities such as Lamphun and Chiang Rai.