He invited King Ramkhamhaeng (Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng Maharat of Sukhothai Kingdom and King Ngam Muang (Pho Khun Ngam Muang of Phayao Kingdom, his very close friends, to help select a site for the new city. They decided on a fertile plain in between Doi Suthep Mountain and the bank of the Ping River.

The new city was completed, surrounded by a moat and wall, in 1296. It was named Nopphaburi Si Nakhonping "Chiang Mai". Chiang Mai was the capital of Lanna Thai for a long time. It was attacked frequently and finally came under the control of Ayutthaya, then Burma. In 1774, King Taksin of Thailand recovered it from the Burmese. Since then Chiang Mai has been a province of Thailand.

Festivals
The Flower Carnival celebrates  the period when Chiang Mai's temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom and is characterised by colourful floral floats and parades.

Songkran celebrates the traditional Thai New Year. Chiang Mai celebrates Songkran with special elation in a 3-day carousal of religious merit-making, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited, good-natured water throwing.

Yi Peng is Thailand's loveliest festival when, under the full moon, people float away onto rivers, canals, lakes and streams banana-leaf boats bearing a lighted candle, incense, a flower and small coin to honour water spirits and float away the past year's sins.

In the City
Wat Suan Dok has the North's largest chapel royal. The principal Buddha statue is a huge cast mage named Phra Chao Kao Tu.

Wat Phra Sing has the most complete version of Lanna chapel and is home to Phra Buddha Sihing, considered Chiang Mai's important and sacred Buddha mage.

Wat Chiang Man is situated in town. It was the first temple built in Chiang Mai around 1300 A.D. Formerly it was the residence of King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. There are two famous Buddha images in this temple.

Wat Chedi Luang is situated in town. It was built in 1411 A.D. The big Chedi was damaged by an earthquake in 1545 A.D. and has never been restored.

Inthakhin or City Pillar is situated in Wat Chedi Luang.

Wat Ku Tao is situated in town. The Chedi was built in 1613 A.D. in the shape of five guards of diminishing sizes and beautifully decorated with colored porcelain, representing five lord Buddhas.

Wiang Kum Kam is and ancient town founded by King Mengrai. The main historical remains are : Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham, and chedi's bases at Wat Kum Kam-Wat Noi, etc. Wiang Kum Kam is located on Chiang Mai - Lumphun Road, 3-4 kms. from town in the area of Amphoe Saraphi.


Doi Suthep Route (Road no.1004)
Wat Chet Yot is situated in town. The temple was built in 1477 A.D. The 8th World Sangkayana (Doctrines revision) was held in this temple at that time.

Chiang Mai National Museum situated near Wat Chet Yot contains ancient Buddhist statues and weapons.

Tribal Research Center is in Chiang Mai University, 5 kms. from town. The Tribal Research Center gathers information and studies Thailand's tribal races.

Huai Kaeo Arboretum is near Chiang Mai University, 6 kms. from town, The attractively landscaped garden contain many kinds of trees and flowers.

Chiang Mai Zoo is near Huai Kaeo Arboretum, 6 kms. from town.

Doi Suthep - Pui National Park is in the area of Amphoe Mae Rim, Amphoe Hang Dong and Amphoe Muang, covering 262.5 square kilometres. The office of the park is on Doi Suthep route near Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The attractions in the area of the park are :

Namtok Huai Kaeo is a waterfall near Chiang Mai Zoo, 6 kms. from town. It's delightful atmosphere makes it the ideal place for picnics.

Khruba Siwichai Monument is situated near Namtok Huai Kaeo. The monument was built to commemorate Khruba Sivichai who initiated a plan to construct a hillside road to the monastery on Doi Suthep.

Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep is on Doi Suthep is a large golden pagoda in the center of the temple containing a part of the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. It is a holy spot visited throughout the year by Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world. This temple was built by King Gue-Na in 1383 A.D.