- Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai

The northern region of Thailand is considered by many people as the most attractive due to its natural beauty but also to its cultural and historical riches. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are the main points of interest for visitors with magnificent temples on tops of that mountainous jungle covered country and nowadays, seven golf courses attract also golfers.

- What to see

The lively Mae Sai is the northernmost town of Thailand where Thais and tourists come to see the Burmese border and buy jade or other precious stones coming from Burma.

But the most important natural attraction of the North is at its extreme limit the famous Golden Triangle where the Ruak river flows into the Mekong River between Thailand, Burma and Laos. It has to be seen in the early morning clear - and some time chilly - light. Children from local tribes in their colored costume wait there for tourist to make an unforgettable picture. Don't forget to tip. For those who have time, enjoy a boat trip on the Mekong.

Chiang Rai, created in 1262, is one the oldest towns in Thailand and is located in a mountains area where the Phra That Doi Tung, containing the left collar bone of Buddha, is on the top of the highest point (1.364 m.) and is the regional most important worship for Buddhists. Wonderful panorama from up there.
Several tribes coming from China have been autorized to settle in the hills with their own language, costume and customs and sell their own handicrafts.

But it is the 700 years old city of Chiang Mai which is considered as the land of beauty, warm hospitality and good manners. The climate is mild, the air is light, and the light is clear.

It's also the land of religion with more than thousand temples, the land of art and of handicrafts. The old city has a special charm with its numerous golden roofed temples: Wat Chiang Man the oldest, Wat Phra Sing and its 1.000 years old Buddha, Wat Ku Tao and its colored porcelain roof, Wat Phra That and its Buddha's relic up the mountain on the way to the Royal Winter Palace and its exotic flowers…

Khum khan Toke, sort of Cultural Center, is a place of attraction where cultural performances are given: sitting on cushions like the Thais do, guests can enjoy tasty Thai meals while dancers in their folkloric masks and costumes come around the small tables. And along the Bosang and Sankamphaeng route, all tourists meet in the numerous manufacturing centers of silverware, jade or wood carving, embroideries, weaving, painted umbrellas…

Elephant at Work & Elephant Camp is also a very popular place where to see elephants training and working and to have a drive on an elephant's back.

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