Chiang Mai, Thailand – A young girl prepares to take the stage as part of a Chinese New Year celebration. Chiang Mai has deep historical and cultural ties with southwestern China.
Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom (the kingdom of a million rice fields), which enjoyed a golden age throughout the 15th century.
During this time the Lanna Kingdom came to control most of what now constitutes northern Thailand, north-western Laos, Myanmar and Xishuangbanna in southern Yunnan Province, China.
