Northern Thailand offers an authentic glimpse into rural Asian life.
The mountainous Northern region of Thailand draws plenty of visitors who invariable leave with enchanted memories of its wonderful natural environment, impressive legacy of history and culture, and undeniable value for money. Much of the area remains unspoilt wilderness with a lazy pace and humble, friendly people.
The kingdom of Lanna, which encompassed much of Northern Thailand, was one of the first established states in this region and predates the rise of the powerful Siamese kingdoms of Ayuthaya and Sukhothai by several hundred years. The manifold mountains helped defend the area, while a flourishing society occupied the Ping, Wang and other broad fertile valleys which today are widely populated.
From Chiang Mai, the chief city in Northern Thailand and former Lanna capital, visitors launch trips into the mountains; trekking to remote mountain villages, riding elephants, relaxing in plush, isolated resorts and seeking out the wonderful waterfalls and breathtaking views of the many national parks nearby. One particularly distinctive character of Northern Thailand is the presence of the colourful and unique minority hill tribes whose simple subsistence way of life adds fascination to the tourist appeal of Northern Thailand. |