The North is the birthplace of the earliest Thai civilization and has many sites of archaeological and cultural interest. Northern people are famous for their courtesy and hospitality, and the region is also noted for its variety of cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces converge on Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival and Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.

North of Thailand falls into two distinct areas, the plains of the lower north from Nakhon Sawan to Sukhothai, and the mountainous upper north leading to borders of Myanmar and Laos. Since much of the area's territory is mountainous, making it relatively cooler than the rest of the usually sweltering country and thus particularly popular in December and January. The North is a region of forests and mountains, and rivers and waterfalls, often set against a backdrop of swirling mists and fog. The north is a region of adventure. Rafting on rapids, mountain treks, mountain biking and even elephant safaris make exploring the region as exhilarating as it is fascinating.

The nomadic hill people of the region pursued their own course, moving back and forth across frontiers. There are six main tribal groups; Hmong, Karen, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu each with its own unique customs and clothing. Thailand's superior handicrafts are produced by northern hill tribes, making this an excellent place to pick up authentic gifts, keepsakes and souvenirs of your journey. Nowadays, they are settled in villages on the mountainsides, a great attraction for travellers.

Most foreign visitors make for Chiang Mai, the northern capital, as a base for visiting ethnic tribes, soft adventure activities and shopping. Further north still, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are great places for rafting, trekking and tours of tribal villages. To the south of the region, the Historical Park at Sukhothai is an essential destination for all those wishing to discover more about the history and culture abound with temples, museums, historical sites and artifacts that testify to the region's historical significance.