Chiang Mai is the largest city in the northern region and one of the best places to visit in Thailand. It was founded in 1296 as the new capital of Lan Na. The place is famous for its Buddhist temples, many of which date back to the 13th and 14th Century AD. Wat Chiang Man is the oldest of all with a history which can be traced back to the 13th century. The temple houses Phra Sila and crystal Phra Satang Man — the two important Buddha statues in Thailand. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous temple in the land, is constructed on the Doi Suthep mountain which stands at an elevation of 1073 meters in the north-west of the city. The place also houses the Chiang Mai National Museum and Highland People Discovery Museum.
