The North is the birthplace of the earliest Thai civilisation and has many sites of archaeological and cultural interest. Northern people are famous for their courtesy and hospitality, and the region is also noted for its variety of cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces converge on Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.

The North falls into two distinct areas, the plains of the lower north from Nakhon Sawan to Sukhothai, and the mountainous upper north leading to borders of Myanmar and Laos. The mountain ranges along the borders are breathtaking, with waterfalls and fast-flowing rivers ideal for rafting. They are also the home of many ethnic hill people.

The region has three seasons, hot from March to May, wet from June to November and cool from December to February. High up in the mountains, though,“cool” may often mean extremely cold.

The Thai nation had its origins in the North, in city states that were gradually incorporated into the Lanna kingdom centred on Chiang Mai. Sukhothai became the first capital of Thailand, but the influence of the Lanna states of Laos and Myanmar can be clearly seen in the architecture and cuisine of the North.

The nomadic hill people of the region pursued their own course, moving back and forth across frontiers. There are six main tribal groups, Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu, each with its own unique customs and clothing. Today, they are settled in villages on the mountainsides, a great attraction for travellers.

Most overseas visitors make for Chiang Mai, the northern capital, as a base for visiting ethnic tribes, soft adventure activities and shopping. Further north still, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are centres for rafting, trekking and tours of tribal villages. To the south, the Historical Park at Sukhothai is an essential destination for all those wishing to discover more about the history and culture of Thailand.

Northern Region Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Phetchabun, Phichit,  Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Tak, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit

The North's largest city, Chiang Mai is the centre for tourism, either in the city or visiting hilltribes, elephant camps and trekking amid wonderful mountain scenery.

Chiang Mai is over 700 years old. The old walled city with its moats contains some magnificent temples. Wat Phra Singh is famous for its Lanna-style architecture, beautiful wood carvings and superb murals. Nearby is the ageless Wat Chedi Luang, which lost the top of its massive chedi to an earthquake 400 years ago. Doi Suthep mountain looms over the town, and the highly-revered temple at its peak offers superb views of the surrounding countryside.

The Mae Sa Valley is an easy place to explore with its elephant camps, orchid farms, waterfalls and Queen Sirikit Park. Elephant-lovers may prefer to head to Mae Taeng or Chiang Dao, where you can watch elephants at work and go trekking in the countryside. For the really adventurous, Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand's highest peak, provides trekking opportunities amid wonderful scenery, plummeting waterfalls and a great variety of bird life.

Chiang Mai is known for its outstanding handicrafts. Travellers love to head down the road to San Kamphaeng, which is crowded with cottage industries making woodcarvings, Thai silk, silverwork, umbrellas, lacquerware, etc. Watch the craftsmen at work and also make purchases, or wander around the famous Night Bazaar, where many similar items are for sale.

Thailand ends at Chiang Rai, the mountainous province that touches borders with Myanmar and Laos. This is soft adventure country, where you can enjoy trekking to various hilltribe villages, mountain biking and river rafting.

Popular activities include rafting down the Kok River from ThatOllinto Chiang Rai town, stopping at tribal villages on the way, or boating .along the mighty Mekong River from the Golden Triangle to the ancient towns of Chiang Saen, with its serene temples, and Chiang Khong, the gateway into Laos.

For superb mountain scenery, none can match the impact of Doi Mae Salong or the unusual Chinese town of Santikhiri perched on the peak, with opportunities for some strenuous treks to nearby hilltribe communities. Further north, Doi Tung offers great scenic views. However, it is the home of the late Princess Mother, whose Swiss chalet palace and beautiful gardens are open tothe public, and the various hilltribe villages that attract visitors.

On the Myanmar border, Mae Hong Son was long isolated from the rest of Thailand by its mountain peaks. Now daily flights into its small airport bring growing numbers of tourists, attracted by the spectacular scenery, numerous hilltribe communities and soft adventure opportunities.

Myanmar has had a strong influence on the province, as can be seen in its architecture. Excellent examples are the two picture-perfect temples on the bank of Chong Kham Lake in the town centre, with their typical Burmese tiered roofs.

Popular spots for visitors are Soppong, which provides access to caves in the area, with the kilometrelong Lot Cave the most spectacular, and Doi Mae U-Kho for the fields of wild sunflowers that bloom in November and December.

The more adventurous visitors head for Pai, the small town that is the centre of trekking industry. Here you can raft along the Pai River, trek through the forests on foot or elephant and stay at hilltribe villages.

Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai was the first capital of Thailand (then Siam), which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb palaces, temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers.

Ramkhamhaeng National Museum contains an outstanding collection of the arts and crafts of Sukhothai, including statues, Buddha images and old celadon found within the old city. Important sites inside the old city walls include: Wat Mahathat, the royal temple with a giant chedi built to house Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka; Wat Sri Sawai with its three Hindu-style prangs; Wat Traphang Thong in the centre of a large pond and its Buddha Footprint; Wat Sa Si, an attractive temple on connecting islands with a large Singhalese chedi. Wat Traphang Ngoen on the Silver Lake is the scene of the Loi Krathong festival.

To the north is Si Satchanalai Historical Park, a restored old city of temples, monuments and statues in the same vein as Sukhothai, but not quite as grand. The area is full of ancient kilns, particularly around Sawankhalok, the birthplace of celadon pottery, and many beautiful pieces unearthed are on display at the Celadon Kiln Conservation Centre.

At over 1,000 metres above sea level, Ramkhamhaeng National Park is an environmental delight, with forest and hills combined with archaeological sites and interesting ruins.

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