Chiang Mai - Rose of the North

Chiang Mai is Thailand's second city, but in terms of quality of living, tourist
attractions and development potential, it's second to none in Southeast-Asia.

In 2005 and 2006, Travel & Leisure magazine's readers voted Chiang Mai the
fifth best destination in the world.

The city is famous for it's friendly people, exquisite cuisine, refined
handicrafts, cool climate and stunning mountain scenery.

More than three-hundred temples, among them some of the most beautiful
and revered in the entire Buddhist world, give the city an atmosphere of
calmness and timeless elegance.

Chiang Mai has a distinct international atmosphere with many foreign
businesses and organizations (NGOs) locating in the city over the past
decade due to it's excellent infrastructure with international direct flight
connections to all countries in the region including China, Singapore,
Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia and Taiwan.

The quality of living is unsurpassed. Accommodation and food are of the
highest standard at very low cost. Entertainment is plentiful with numerous
festivals, outdoor activities and great nightlife.

Genuine adventure is to be found in the immediate vicinity of Chiang Mai
with jungle tours, rafting, elephant riding and hilltribe villages to visit.

Shopping is great, be it for handicrafts, clothes or luxury items. Everything
can be found at great prices in stores ranging from small family-run shops
to world-class luxury outlets and shopping malls.

Medical care and health facilities: Chiang Mai's medical, dental and
therapeutic services and facilities are high-quality but yet low-cost.

Education: The city is home to over six universities and six international
schools.

Golf courses: Chiang Mai has several first class 18-hole golf courses to offer.
The Green Valley Golf Club with its first-class amenities, The Royal Chiang Mai
Golf Club designed by five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson,
The Lanna Golf Club which no golfer should miss playing and the distinctively
northern influenced Lamphun Golf Club.

Hotels: In the recent Travel & Leisure write up, Chiang Mai was described
as appealing to that sense of authenticity that travelers are looking for, but
it also explained that the reason “Chiang Mai is getting a lot more attention
is because there are some really intriguing new hotel developments going on
there.” In deed, there has been a recent spare of openings of five-star
hotels, including the Mandarin Oriental, Chedi, Shangri-La, Le Meridien,
Dusit D2 and The Four Seasons.