The Northern city of Chiang Mai, is a city of diverse cultural complexity and natural beauty. The north is the home to the hill tribes, whose cultures are disappearing daily while modernization steps into place. It's also known for its magnificent national parks, elephant conservation centers, butterfly farms and some of the highest mountain peaks in Thailand along with an excess of 300 temples. Traveling to Chiang Mai is considered the keystone journey to make when one visits Thailand. In 2005, the magazine TRAVEL & LEASURE ranted Chiang Mai as the 5th best cities in the world to visit.

Centered in a valley about 700 kilometres northwest of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is often referred to as Thailand's second largest city, even though its municipal population of around 250,000 ranks it fifth nationwide. In terms of the cultural role it plays in today's Thailand, Chiang Mai is easily the nation's "second city" after the capital, especially in the fields of art, architecture and design.

Chiang Mai has long been a simmering pot of multiple cultural influences which forms the basis of its unique and interesting style. Enriched as a trade entrepot along the mule caravan routes from China to Myanmar, the city expanded its status and influence after an alliance of three Thai princes consolidated power over the region in the 13th century. Following this time, as capital of the Lanna kingdom, the walled and moat-encircled trading city initiated a fusion of regional arts that is still metamorphosing today.

Over the centuries, influences have been absorbed from near and far--from hill tribes coming down from their highland homes to trade in the city to Thai tribes migrating across the Mekong River from southern China and northern Vietnam, as well as from the artisans of Thailand's neighbouring lands.

Post-modern, functionalist and industrial styles imported from the West also add to the current blend within a design ethos that encourages their fusion with traditional northern Thai design elements. This approach means that the essence of "Chiang Mai style" will remain forever in flux as it continues to borrow inspiration from old and new sources.

NOT TO BE MISSED
	With over 30 Buddhist temples within the city's thick brick ramparts, you can hardly walk 100 yards without bumping into one historic wat or another.

The gilded 14th-century stupas at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, seated atop a hill looming over the town's western flank, never fail to impress. Plan to arrive just before sunset, when most tour groups have left and the resident monks have begun their evening chants--the perfect soundtrack for watching the sunset.

No journey to Chiang Mai is truly complete without a visit to Wat Phra Sing, a 14th-century monastery renowned for its ancient temple murals, exemplary Lanna architecture and exquisite Phra Singh Buddha.

As Thailand's main handicraft centre, Chiang Mai is ringed by small cottage factories and workshops. Photograph of different handmade flower soaps.

The world-famous Night Bazaar, consisting giant-wheeled carts parked nightly along Chang Khlan Road, near the Ping River, presents a mind-boggling array of total junk to one-of-a-kind treasures.

Stretching for several blocks along The Ratchadamnoen every Sunday, the Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Road, old city; 2-10pm) offers a better collection of handicraft vendors and boasts the advantage of vehicle-free streets.