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The North's 17 provinces comprise two distinct areas: the wide plains of the lower north from Nakhon Sawan up to Sukhothai, leading into the mountainous upper north that has long borders with Myanmar and Laos. The great mountains along both borders produce breathtaking scenery, waterfalls, fast rivers perfect for rafting, and are home to many ethnic peoples.       The region enjoys three seasons: hot from March to May, wet from June to November, and cool from December to February. However, up in the mountains "cool" can be extremely cold.

The Thai nation began in the North, initially as city states, which were  gradually united under the Lanna kingdom centred on Chiang Mai in the 13th century  The process was continued by Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand. Throughout  its long history, there has been strong Burmese and Lao influence, particularly in  the  upper north, seen in both its architecture and cuisine.       However, the nomadic hilltribes have been a law unto themselves, wandering  back and forth across borders. Today, they are more settled in villages across the  northern mountains. There are six main tribal groups, originating from southern China  and Myanmar - Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha, Lisu - all with their own unique  customs and costumes, which is the great attraction for many travellers.    Most travellers head for Chiang Mai, the northern capital, as a base for visiting ethnic tribes, for soft adventure and for shopping. The lure of rafting, trekking and  tribal villages is strong in Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, particularly the adventure village of Pai. Remote areas like Nan and Tak are becoming more accessible,  attracting visitors with the promise of great activity and exploration. To the south, the  Historical Park at Sukhothai is a must-see for travellers who want to discover more  about the history and culture of Thailand.     CHIANG  MAI        The North's largest city, Chiang Mai is the centre for tourism, either in the city or visiting hilltribes, elephant camps and trekking amid wonderful mountain scenery .     Chiang Mai is over 700 years old. The old walled city with its moats contains some magnificent temples. Wat Phra Singh is famous for its Lanna-style architecture, beautiful wood carvings and superb murals. Nearby is the ageless Wat Chedi Luang, which lost the top of its massive chedi to an earthquake 400 years ago. Doi Suthep mountain looms over the town, and the highly-revered temple at its peak offers superb views of the surrounding countryside.   The Mae Sa Valley is an easy place to explore with its elephant camps, orchid farms, waterfalls and Queen Sirikit Park. Elephant lovers may prefer to head to Mae Taeng or Chiang Dao, where you can watch elephants at work and go trekking in the countryside. For the really adventurous, Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand's highest peak, provides trekking opportunities amid wonderful scenery, plummeting waterfalls and a great variety of bird life.      Chiang Mai is known for its outstanding handicrafts. Travellers love to head down the road to San Kamphaeng, which is crowded with cottage industries making wood-carvings, Thai silk, silverwork, umbrellas, lacquerware, etc. Watch the craftsmen at work and also make purchases, or wander around the famous Night Bazaar, where many similar items are for sale.    CHIANG RAI    Thailand ends at Chiang Rai, the mountainous province that touches borders  with Myanmar and Laos. This is soft adventure country, where you can enjoy trekking to various hilltribe villages, mountain biking and river rafting. Popular activities include rafting down the Kok River from Thaton into Chiang Rai town, stopping at tribal villages on the way, or boating along the mighty Mekong  River from the Golden Triangle to the ancient towns of Chiang Saen, with its serene  temples, and Chiang Khong, the gateway into Laos       For superb mountain scenery, none can match the impact of Doi Mae Salong   or  the unusual Chinese town of Santikhiri perched on the peak, with opportunities for  some strenuous treks to nearby hilltribe communities. Further north, Doi Tung offers  great scenic views. However, it is the home of the late Princess Mother, whose  Swiss chalet palace and beautiful gardens are open to the public, and the various  hilltribe villages that attract visitors.    KAMPHAENG PHET On the east bank of the Ping River, Kamphaeng Phet was a satellite town of  Sukhothai, an outpost buffer against the Burmese intrusion.      Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park features several historic temples within the old  walled city, including Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Phrathat.    There's also Kamphaeng Phet National Museum housing sculpted Buddha  heads,  earthenware and celadon pottery. Slightly to the north,a second portion of the park features more ancient temples, including the large Wat Chang Rop with its myriad elephant heads on a small hill, annd Wat Phra Si Iriyabot, with Buddha images in four attitudes in front of a pond. In the hills of Khlong Lan and Mae Wong national parks there are fast  rivers ideal for  rafting, trekking routes, waterfalls and some rock-climbing stations.  Camping is  popular.      LAMPANG       Founded in the 7th century,Lampang was traditionally the centre of the northern teak industry, which brought many Chinese, Burmese and Western traders to the province. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of many buildings, with houses and art objects made of solid teak found throughout the town       The town is famous for its brightly coloured horse-drawn carriages, which are a popular form of transport. Its most important temple, Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao shows strong Burmese influence and once housed the famous Emerald Buddha. .       Outside the town, the walled temple of Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang is considered the most beautiful temple in Thailand. Its central wihan is made of old teak, and exquisite teak carvings grace the facades, of many of its buildings.     Parks, waterfalls, camping areas and forest accommodation are abundant in the  province. However, its best-known attraction is the Elephant Training School, Elephant Hospital and Sanctuary, which puts on shows, offers training to be a mahout and hosts an annual khan toke dinner for jumbos.    LAMPHUN      The city was founded in the 9th century by Mons, whose legendary ruler Queen Chamathewi created the Hariphunchai state that held sway in the region for a few hundred years, until it was absorbed into the Lanna kingdom.       Her remains are interred at Wat Chamathewi, built by Khmer artisans and renovated by the Mons. The main chedi is on five levels, originally with a golden top, which was stolen. It is also known as Wat Ku Kut, which means chedi without a top!       The town's main attraction is Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai, built to house Buddha relics on the site of Queen Chamathewi's palace. The 46-metre Golden Chedi is topped by a nine-tiered umbrella of pure gold. There is a museum  and a library within the temple's grounds. The district of Pasang is known for its  cotton weaving industry and for its beautiful women. Overlapping into Chiang Mai  and  Lampang, Mae Ping National Park surrounds the Ping River and features fertile  forestland, sheer cliffs, reservoirs, islands and river rapids ideal for rafting.   Next