Another wonderful side trip from Chiangmai is northwest to the sleepy little town of Mae Hong Son, hidden deep in a valley ringed by majestic mountain ranges. It is a setting fit for Shangri-La. Within the town is some Burmese-style roofs, while the surrounding countryside offers some breathtaking views, hilltribe villages and a mysterious cave believed to have been used in prehistoric times.

Mae Hon Son is just a 40 minutes flight from Chiangmai but, if time permits, it is worth making the circuitous 360-kilometeer journey by road, which winds its way spectacularly through some of the North’s finest hill country.

Northern Thailand, with rivers running north to south, is an area of valleys, that of Chiang Mai being historically the most important. Over in the east, however, is the Nan Valley, long ago an independent kingdom with a rich past.

The main town of Nan is quite distinct from either Chiangmai or Chiang Rae and possesses several old temple noted for their architectural style, Buddha images and mural paintings which are among the finest artistic achievements of the North. Nan is just a 45 minutes flight from Chiangmai; alternatively the journey the journey can be corvered buy bus or can in seven hours.