Hotelsbycity.net

When travelers first hear about Thailand they tend to think about Bangkok. However, the city of Chiang Mai is one of this country's largest and it is bursting with culture. What attracts visitors to Chiang Mai though is that it isn't as glamorized as Bangkok. Located along the Ping River it is surrounded by mountains, countryside and can even provide you with a little peace and quiet.

The area known as the Old City comes complete with walls and moats, which were used to defend the city against intruders. Today they stand as a reminder of the city's historic roots. Chiang Mai also has its fair share of impressive malls and high rises. Thus, you can experience the best of both worlds.

This city is known for its cultural attractions and the fact that it has over 300 Buddhist temples attests to that. The Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is one of the area's most famous and was built back in 1383. Another popular temple though dates earlier than that making the Wat Chiang Man the oldest in the city. But again, there are hundreds for you to see.

The festivals held throughout the year are another reason that make Chiang Mai a popular destination. The month of February showcases the Flower Festival. While the city's flowers turn into full bloom the locals create stunning floats, provide great entertainment and even have a beauty contest. The Thai New Year is celebrated in April and Chiang Mai's Songkran is one of the country's best. November holds the Loi Kratong festival where candles and flowers fill the city's waterways. This festival also fills the sky with hot-air lanterns.

What else can you do in Chiang Mai? How about visiting the Elephant Nature Park. Located just an hour of the city you can see the habitat of these rescued animals. Of course the surrounding nature makes hiking and biking tours quite popular. You can also try rafting and kayaking on the water systems. Shopping is another popular reason to visit Chiang Mai and its night bazaars are one of its most famous venues. And after all that fun you can relax with an authentic Thai massage an experience that is definitely worth trying out more than once.

Discover more of what Thailand has to offer and visit the exciting city of Chiang Mai.