Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is surrounded by the highest mountains in the country and located on the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. Chiang Mai means "new city" and was named this because it was the new capital, founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai (founded 1262) in the capital of the Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its strategic location on the Ping River and major trading routes. There are many temples and other cultural sights in the city that prove this importance. In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city and attracts over 5 million visitors each year, of which about 2 million are foreign tourists. The City is well known for its nightlife, many bars, several discotheques, and live music venues can be found. Chiang Mai has also a large and famous night bazaar for local arts and handicrafts.

Little-known Nan goes back to the depths of the history of Thailand. For centuries it was a separate, autonomous kingdom with few relationships with the outside world. By the end of the 14th century Nan was one of the nine northern Thai-Lao principalities that comprised Lan Na Thai
The Burmese took control of the kingdom in 1558 and deported many of the inhabitants to Burma as slaves; the city was completely deserted until northern Thailand was retaken from the Burmese in 1786.
The old heart of Nan, where Wat Phumin, the national museum and other tourist attractions like the King of Nan's Teak House are located, is being restored.
Nan is also famous for its longboat races in September/October, where up to 60 men sit in one boat, made from a dugout tree trunk.

The Golden Triangle is one of Asia's two main illegal opium-producing areas. It is an area of around 367,000 square miles (950,000 km²) that overlaps the mountains of four countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Most of the world's opium came from the Golden Triangle until the early 21st century when Afghanistan became the world's largest producer. The Golden Triangle also designates the confluence of the Ruak River and the Mekong river, since the term has been appropriated by the Thai tourist industry to describe the nearby junction of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Thailand however, worked successfully on banishing the opium production and starting projects for the farmers to grow vegetables and fruits instead.

Pai was once a quiet market village inhabited by Shan people, but nowadays Pai primarily thrives on tourism. Well-known among backpackers for its relaxed atmosphere, the town is full of reasonably priced guesthouses, souvenir shops, and restaurants. In the proximity of the town are spas and elephant camps. Further outside of town, there are several waterfalls and a number of natural hot springs varying in temperature from 80 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Some resorts tap the hot springs and feed hot water into private bungalows and public pools. As Pai lies at the foot of the mountains, many tourists use it as a base for trekking and visiting hill tribes like Karen, Hmong, Lisu, and Lahu. Another notable attraction is the town's excellent Wednesday Market which brings large and colorful crowds of local villagers and tribal people from all around the Pai Valley. Pai stages music festivals regularly as well as an international Enduro Championship race.