The Kingdom of Lanna, which covers much of northern Thailand, was a thriving state long before the rise of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. Chiang Mai can trace its history back more than 700 years, making it one of the most historic cities in Thailand.
In 1296, King Mengrai founded Nophaburi Sri Nakorn Ping Chiang Mai as the ‘new city’ of his kingdom known as Lanna.