In many ways Chiang Mai is Thailand's cultural and spiritual home. Chiang Mai is the keystone of any first journey to thailand--not only for its traditions but for its traditions but for its innovations. This part of the country , along with Sukhothai to the south, was the first to make the historic transition from domination by Mon and Khmer cultures to a new era ruled by thais. Today's Thais like to idealize their beloved northern capital as a walled, moated city boasting over 300 Thai Buddhist temples, spread over a river valley surrounded by mountains with legendary, mystical attributes. However those who have actually seen the city know it is also a fast developing, fast modernizing cosmopolitan city exhibition all the contemporary hallmarks of technology and world culture.