Chiang Mai is recognized as Thailand's Northern Capital, "The Rose of the North". It's a city with a beautiful cultural personality of its own. Thailand's second largest city, and an excellent starting point for excursions into the northern territories. While this city has many ancient temples, including the one at Doi Suthep, which offers breathtaking views over the area, its popularity is largely due to the elephant treks in the surrounding countryside. Thai cookery classes are also a popular tradition in the city. Chiang Mai also has an extensive night market, with dozens of street vendors selling a variety of traditional Thai wares that can be obtained at very low prices if you have the patience to bargain for them. The city is small enough to get around on a bicycle, has several attractions.