Northern Thailand, Mountain region in northern Thailand.
This area lies between Myanmar and Laos, crossed by mountain chains where river valleys, forests, and farming plains alternate. Nine provinces form a territory of high ground, rice paddies, and wooded hills.
The Lanna Kingdom ruled from the 13th century for roughly five centuries, shaping architecture and art. After its end, the territory gradually became part of the national administration.
People speak a local dialect and practice crafts like silk weaving and lacquerwork that differ from other parts of the country. Temple festivals and regional markets reveal a way of life that blends Buddhist rituals with customs passed down through generations.
The climate is cooler than elsewhere in the country, especially in the higher elevations during the cold season. Chiang Mai serves as a starting point for trips into surrounding provinces and valleys.
Around sixty protected areas lie within the territory, including Doi Inthanon with the highest summit in the country at 2,565 meters (8,415 feet). In some valleys tea plantations and strawberries grow, crops not found in the lower plains.
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