Asia > Thailand > Chiang Mai: Weather, Climate and Travel Guide

The second city of Thailand, Chiang Mai is also the capital of a province of the same name. The city has around 700,000 inhabitants. It is becoming increasingly modernised as the years go by and is the choice destination of many foreign visitors. Known as the ‘Rose of the North’, it is situated on the banks of the Ping River, in a surprisingly beautiful natural setting and has managed to keep its strong cultural identity which can be experienced through its dialect, customs and food as well as the traces of its past, in particular the numerous richly detailed temples that have magnificent architecture. Chiang Mai also has an interesting crafts sector producing objects of silver, wood and ceramics. Visit the National Museum to discover more about these local crafts, and there is also the Insects Museum and the Museum of Natural Wonders, the Huai Kaeo Arboretum with its multiple tropical tree essences, the zoo with its adorable Pandas, and the Palace of Phu Ping. Three kilometres from the city is the tribal village of Do Pui which gives a good idea of tribal life even if it has lost some of its authenticity. There are also numerous other interesting places and buildings scattered around the city.