Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique indigenous cultural identity. Founded by King Mengrai the Great as the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom by merging the various city-states in the region in 1296. Today Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism centre of Northern Thailand.

About 700 kilometres from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is situated on the Mae Ping River basin some 310 metres above sea level. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometres. The terrain is mainly jungles and mountains, parts of which are within national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills.

Distances from town to neighbouring districts :

Chom Thong 58 km
Chiang Dao 68 km
Chai Prakan 13 km
Doi Tao 121 km
Doi Saket 18 km
Fang 154 km
Phrao 103 km
Mae Chaem 156 km
Mae Taeng 40 km
Mae Rim 8 km
Mae Wang 35 km
Mae Ai 174 km
Wiang Haeng 150 km
Samoeng 54 km
San Kamphaeng 13 km
San Sai 12 km
San Pa Tong 22 km
Saraphi 10 km
Hang Dong 15 km
Om Koi 179 km
Hot 88 km
Mae On 29 km