Chiang Mai, the second-biggest city in Thailand, contrasts sharply with carefree Bangkok. Situated amidst the northern hills of the nation, the city is encircled by dense jungle on all sides. Travelers to Chiang Mai often stay longer, sampling the flavourful cuisine of the area, unwinding in the laid-back hotels, and exploring the temple ruins.
Chiang Mai, once the capital of the northern Thai Lanna Kingdom in the thirteenth century, was a walled city renowned for its monasteries and marketplaces. The old walls have long since given way to the modern city, but the streets are still lined with bustling marketplaces, street vendors, and barefoot monks.
