Overview
Founded in the thirteenth century as the seat of the Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai keeps a square moated old town packed with ancient temples, now surrounded by a relaxed modern city and green hills. It has become a favourite for its slower pace, its crafts and food, and its access to the mountains, elephants and hill-tribe villages of the north. Mild in the cool season and lively with festivals, it rewards temple-hopping, market evenings and trips into the surrounding country.
Highlights
The old town holds dozens of temples, among them Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, while Wat Phra That Doi Suthep looks down from its mountain above the city. The night bazaar and the weekend walking streets fill the evenings with crafts and food, and cooking classes teach the northern kitchen. Ethical elephant parks, jungle treks and the cool hills of Doi Inthanon lie a short way out.