Chiang Mai (meaning “new city” in Thai) was founded in 1296 as the new capital of Lan Na, succeeding the former capital, Chiang Rai. The city’s location on the Ping River (a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River) and its proximity to major trading routes contributed to its historic importance.
Nara Prefecture is located in the Kansai Region of Japan, and is known as the home of many early emperor palaces, large Shinto shrines, and abundance of wild deer that roam freely through the region.
Steeped in history, Kyoto is home to roughly one quarter of Japan’s national treasures, countless shrines and temples, and seventeen sites recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites
