A mountainous area where winter temperatures are cool enough to allow the cultivation of temperate fruits such as apples, strawberries and peaches, the North offers the tourist a pleasing alternative to the bright lights of Bangkok and the beaches of the south and the Gulf of Thailand.
It occupies an approximate area of 170,000 square kilometers, bordering on the territories of Laos and Myanmar.
Chiang Mai is the major city of the North. Also called “Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai is the focal point of local farming communities with a thriving market. It is also a popular tourist destination with both Thai and overseas visitors who enjoy the city’s slow pace of life, its many ancient temples, and its various cottage industries which are generally concentrated in villages on the city outskirts. Umbrellas, silverware, nielloware, woodcarving and silk are just some of the best known Chiang Mai products.
In the northern forests, visitors can see elephant training camps (these huge beasts are still used in the teak forests) as well as the colorful nomadic tribes that still roam this corner of Thailand. There are also opportunities for rafting and trekking.
The north, for centuries an independent kingdom and center of culture and religion, is dotted with many ancient historical sites and monuments, among them the Sukhothai Historical Park, the Doi Suthep Shrine in Chiang Mai, and the Phra Buddha Chinarat image in Phitsanulok. Northerners celebrate such festivals as Songkran [the traditional Thai New Year] and Phao Thien Len Fai, to name but two.
The north is also home to a patchwork of hill tribes-the Musers,Yao, Meo, E-kaw, and Karen-who each possess their own distinctive culture and way of life.
The lowland northerners are note as a gentle and hospitable people. In addition the region abounds with many natural attractions such as mountain scenery, caves waterfalls, and lakes. Other attractions include bargain hunting for local and tribal handicrafts in the bazaars and markets, while in the major towns Western-style night entertainment is widely available.
In the northern forests, visitors can see elephant training camps [these huge beasts are still used in the teak forests] as well as the colorful nomadic tribes that still roam this corner of Thailand. There are also opportunities for rafting, trekking or golfing.
In addition, the northern region is the home to Thailand's many colorful hill tribes such as the Lahu of Tak and the Yao, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai mountain regions. The north is also noted for its rich cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces flock to Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.
