Chiang Mai means "new city". It is located astride Ping River and among some of the highest mountains in Thailand. Over 300 buddhistic wats on the city's territory (incl. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as the most famous one) contribute to making it the "Rose of the North".

Chiang Mai is a major tourist destination, not only for its own touristic sites, but also as starting point for trekking tours and the like in the north of the country.