Chiang
Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern
Thailand.
It
is located some 700km to the north of Bangkok,
among
some of the highest mountains
in the country.
The
city stands on the Ping River, a major
tributary of the Chao
Phraya River.
Chiang
Mai has many attractions for
the thousands of foreign visitors
who
come to the city each
year.
Chiang
Mai's historic strength derived from its important strategic
location
on
an ancient trade route, and
the city served as an important
centre
for
handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewellery ( particularly
silver ) and woodcarving.