Detailed interactive map Northern Thailand
Culturally, Northern Thailand shows influences from the neighboring cultures of Myanmar and Yunnan (China). The kingdoms of Lanna and Sukhothai were the first historical Thai nations. The city of Chiang Mai was capital of the kingdom Lanna from its founding in 1296 till 1599. Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai show off a mixture of architectural styles that reflect the multifarious heritage of Northern Thailand. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chedi Luang are the oldest and the most attractive temples for tourists.
Trekking is one of the main attractions in northern Thailand. From one-day tours to tours of many days which you can choose whatever fits you best. Many tours include rafting and elephant riding. Hill tribes tour groups tramp through some villages daily, particularly those inhabited by the famous long-necked Karen women. Approximately 60 km north of Chiang Mai there is the Elephant Nature Park.
Northern Thai food is different to that eaten in the rest of the country. The favoured meat is pork, which finds it way into a variety of sausages. The traditional way of sampling Northern food is a low round table known as a khan tok.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival attracts visitor in February and Loi Krathong Festival occurs in November. As usual in Thai cities, Northern Thailand abounds in massage companies, both for treatments and for learning this art yourself.
