Rachamankha

Chiang Mai

Built on the banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand. Located in the north, in the country’s highest mountains, it is the capital of the province of the same name. It is also the capital of a legendary kingdom known as Lan Na, “the land of a thousand rice fields.” Located on the administrative borders of Laos, Thailand and Burma, this kingdom was made up of more or less autonomous city states which united different ethnic groups including the Lahus, the Hmongs, the Akhas, the Lisus and the Katens.
Integrated into the kingdom of Siam in 1892, the city whose name means Northern Rose, conserves traces of its diverse influences. In spite of its often questionable modern aspect, it has retained some old teak wood houses and more than 300 temples spread throughout the region, the most well known being the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep which overlooks the city whose famous evening market and great many traditional craftsmen are very popular with visitors. And for the more sports minded, a number of activities are available including trekking on the back of an elephant to the summit of Thailand’s highest mountain, river rafting or a jungle safari in the heart of the Golden Triangle.

A tribute to the golden age

Wat Phra That Lampang is the oldest temple in Lampang, the last vestige of the defenses of this former city state. It was considered to be the one of the most beautiful temples in the kingdom of Lan Na. The Rachamankha, designed by two well-known Thai architects, On-ard Satrabhundu and Rooj Changtrakul was inspired by this magnificent temple. Located in the heart of Chiang Mai near the celebrated Wat Phra Singh temple, it was built on the site of the former monastery. As a veritable tribute to the golden age of Chiang Mai, it possesses 400-year-old woodwork and was a masterpiece of its era. After going through the two sculpted wood doors of the reception area, we enter the main courtyard with its floor of hand made bricks. Surrounded by the subtle fragrance of the frangipani trees and splendid betel palms, we go through two interior courtyards decorated with Chinese antiques and guarded by lions from the Ming dynasty.
The hotel’s 24 rooms are at the extremity of these courtyards. Their décor is a combination of Buddhist temple art and contemporary design. The Chinese porcelain night table lamps, the engraved doors, the antique closet and even the piece of furniture that holds up the bathroom sink are all unique. In the garden, the red and white bougainvilleas around the swimming pool pleasantly perfume the atmosphere. After a day of exploring the region’s temples, there is nothing better than a massage in the magnificent spa.
And after this moment of total relaxation, it’s time to have dinner in the light of the imposing Lan Na lanterns in a room decorated with 19^th century paintings, or in a small adjacent courtyard to the sound of traditional music.

Above the restaurant, there’s a gallery inviting visitors to the Lanna culture. It’s filled with silver coins, tribal jewelry, and an 18^th century image of Buddha. All of these objects were discovered while the hotel was being built.