Every year, the people of Chiang Mai celebrate their artistic and cultural heritage with a special event in the city.
The Chiang Mai Arts and Culture Festival is centred around the Tom Payom Market near the city's university and is an annual highlight of the social calendar in the region.
This year's festival runs from April 9th to 13th and is likely to be on the itinerary of many people using Thailand hotels.
Features of the celebration include musical performances, dance exhibitions and art installations, as well as children's puppet shows, traditional street food and handicraft displays.
The festival exists to maintain the customs of Lanna, the former Thai state that is now northern Thailand.
First held in 1996, it has been growing in popularity every year and is viewed by many people as a perfect introduction to this area of the country.
Located about 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai stands on the Ping River and is one the country's most culturally significant cities.
People staying in Chiang Mai hotels during the festival may also like to enroll on a course at one of the city's many Thai massage schools.
