Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the gateway to Northern Thailand. With a population of over 170,000, Chiang Mai is Thailand's
second-largest city after Bangkok. Located on a plain surrounded by mountains, surrounded by lush countryside, and with a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North".

Unfortunately some scams from Bangkok have started to rear their ugly heads in Chiang Mai as well. Two in particular are worth watching out for: the gem scam, where you are talked into buying near-worthless gems at far above their real value; and the tuk-tuk scam, where a smooth-talking tuk tuk driver tells you that the attraction you want to see is closed, and instead offers you a sightseeing tour for 20 baht (or some similarly unrealistic number) - needless to say, the tour will either consist of nothing but overpriced gift shops, or will smoothly segue into the gem scam. See this link for more on safety in Thailand.

Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples dating back to the founding of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas and pagodas laced with gold filigree. The most famous is Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a 1,050 m (3,500 ft) mountain top 13 km away.