Chiang Mai has become one of the largest and most important tourist destinations in Thailand. Chiang Mai and the surrounding areas has become the economic hub for Northern Thailand, yet the city carefully preserves traditional culture and maintains a strong traditional handicrafts industry despite the automated modern world.

Chiang Mai is geographically located at the base of Doi Suthep, one of the mountains forming the southern extent of the Himalayas range. Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand, is located just 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai. The city itself is situated on the plain that has been formed as part of the Mae Ping river basin.

Approximately 70% of the province is in a forest area including 13 National Parks and other forested parks. This abundance of natural resource has blessed Chiang Mai with a wide range of attractions and activities.

Because of its highland location, the weather in Chiang Mai through-out the year is marginally cooler than southern parts of Thailand. The average daytime temperature is about 25 degrees celcius and lower in winter season. In winter, natural vegetation flourishes along with beautiful winter flowers, which come into bloom mostly in the winter months.

For both local and foriegn visitors, Chiang Mai is famous for its fascinating natural attractions. For example, the national park at Doi Inthanon is known as the best place in Thailand for viewing waterfalls such as Mae Ya waterfall, Mae Klang waterfall, and Vashiratarn waterfall.

The Inthanon Royal Project Research Station is another must-visit place for those who love to wander among fields of winter flowers especially colorful Chrysanthemum. Equally exciting scenes await you at Ob Luang National Park where there is a great chance to be on the top of a 500m cliff with a birds-eye view of the gorge. Visitors to Chiang Mai may also find relaxation traveling amidst dense forest of Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.

Chiang Mai was founded as the capital of Lanna Kingdom and its renown has not faded. Innumerable temples have been built and designed in Lanna style; suitable for the city that was the religious center of Northern Thailand.

It is believed that those who come to Chiang Mai without paying a visit to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep have not really been to Chiang Mai. Northern people are also pay high respect to Wat Phrathat Sri Chom Thong Worawiharn, another important temple in Chom Thong.

Wat Chedi Luang, located in the city center, is home to the city's pillar where an anual festival of Inthakhin held. Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Center holds vital and interactive exhibitions of Chiang Mai history and traditional cultures for visitors to Chiang Mai.

Moreover, there are many royal project research stations which have become hot spots for tourism, including the winter flower field in Inthanon Royal Research Station and winter fruit orchards in Ang Khang Royal Research Station. Visitors to these Royal Research Station are able to walk around the area and possibly try some plums, peaches, carrots, and other seasonable produce.

Chiang Mai is recognized as the tourism hub for Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai offers a warm welcome to guests from all over the world, a wide selection of accommodations, a new international airport, convenient transportation, a wide variety of entertainment and tourist services, and a warm-hearted hospitality that will catch a visitor's heart.