With a population of almost one million within the city and the surrounding areas, Chiang Mai is the major city in Thailand’s north. Capital of the Lan Na kingdom until 1768, the city has an illustrious history reflected in the buildings and temples that fill the city's old town.

More recently, Chiang Mai has established itself as one of South East Asia’s most popular cities with tons of expats flocking to the city. There is an ever-growing community of creative and tech businesses opening up, with all the trendy cafes, bars and shops that this brings.

The historical heart of Chiang Mai is centred around the moat and the atmospheric walls of the old town. It's easy to spend a day wandering around the walls and viewing the well-preserved gates that are still in use on all sides of the old town. These walls also serve as a useful way of gaining your bearings when you're exploring the old town as they border the historic centre on all four sides to create a neat square.

Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's most romantic cities. The relaxed ambience creates a romantic vibe where it's common to see young couples, both Thai and foreigners, strolling around the old town or along the river. So while a beach trip may be you first thought when considering a holiday to Thailand, Chiang Mai boasts a great alternative, with plenty for couples to do in and around the city.

If you're both temple lovers you could spend all your time just exploring the old town. There are plenty of them hidden down side streets and on the main roads, with around 300 temples (or “Wats”) across the city in total. These range in size and popularity from the famous Wat Phra Singh, at the heart of the city with its towering spires, to tiny temples lurking down backstreets that you have no hope of ever finding again.

Wat Chedi Luang is one of the most impressive temples in the city. Built in 1401, its soaring tower was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the 16^th century which removed the top third of the spire. It's still a hugely impressive sight, forcing you to marvel at the craftsmanship that went into building such a colossal temple over 800 years ago!

However, the city's most famous temple is located just out of town. Jump in a taxi or songthaew and head towards Doi Suthep, the towering hills that loom over the city to the north-west. Overlooking the city are the golden towers of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, dating from 1383 and still one of the most important holy sites in the region. This sprawling temple requires a fairly steep climb up 300 steps to the temple complex above and you'll almost certainly be joined by groups of monks arriving to pray at the site. For couples looking for some respite from the city, there are plenty of relaxing walks around the hills of Doi Suthep. There are less crowds and it's cooler up here, a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the old town.

If you're both keen on seeing some more of Thailand's stunning natural beauty, then the country's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, is located fairly close to Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon National Park lies around 60km from the city and makes for a beautiful day trip. There are plenty of spectacular waterfalls around the park including Mae Klang waterfall, the most famous and easily accessible. It's very popular among Thais for swimming during the summer but is a wonderfully romantic spot during the week when it's less busy and you can sometimes even get the pool all to yourself. From the waterfall there is a fairly easy trail you can follow to the visitor centre to learn more about the park. The mountain itself rises to over 2,500m, so you'll need to go on a guided tour to attempt to scale the peak.

Food-loving couples will be delighted to know that the city has some of the country's best food and there are plenty of delicious places to try after a long day sightseeing. Every visitor to the city must try khao soi, a yellow noodle curry traditionally with chicken, with fried crispy noodles on top. It's a delicious dish that you'll try again and again during you stay here. It's a northern delicacy so make sure you get your fill, as it's very difficult to find elsewhere in Thailand. One of the most authentic versions can be found at “Khao Soi Khun Yai”, located just inside the moat at the very north of the old town on Sripoom Road, just next to Soi 8.

A very popular place for Thai couples, especially at weekends, are the riverside restaurants and bars to the east of the city. These spots offer a wonderfully romantic ambience, with gardens overlooking the Ping River, a great choice to enjoy an atmospheric meal if you're celebrating a special occasion. There's plenty of places between Nawarat Bridge and the footbridge to the north, close to Chinatown.

As is the case across Thailand, the very best food is often from markets and street stalls and here there is great variety. Around the edge of the old town are several street markets which come alive at night. Two of the biggest are next to Chiang Mai gate in the south and opposite Chang Phuak gate to the north of the old town. Here you'll join tourists, teenagers, office workers and whole families all huddled around enjoying the delicious food on offer. Many meals are available for as little as THB30, with the ancient city walls providing a stunning backdrop to your tasty dinner.

The Night Bazaar to the east of the old town is a lovely area to spend an evening, it's hugely popular with expats and offers tons of choice for both local Thai food and western dishes. There are also several bars dotted around the market and surrounding alleyways. The open-air “Boy Blues Bar” provides live music and is a great spot to relax in the very centre of the market.

Once you have worked out which are your favourite Thai meals, why not have a go at cooking these dishes yourselves? “Thai Farm Cooking School” is one of the most popular places to learn and you'll be picked up and driven to the school around 17km from town, stopping for a tour of a local food market on the way. For just THB1,500 you'll learn to cook six dishes from a menu including pad thai, tom yam soup and mango with sticky rice. It's sure to be a great experience for you both, giving you an opportunity to learn how to cook these beautiful meals as well as spend time with a Thai family in their home.

There are few more relaxing things than treating yourself to a massage, so why not indulge in one together? There are countless places to receive a great massage, in fact there is somewhere on pretty much every street! The “Women’s Massage Center” is one of the best and staffed by female ex-prisoners, who can sometimes struggle to find work once they have been released from prison. Not only will you receive a beautifully therapeutic massage but it will also benefit the local community.

There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with Chiang Mai, and it's easy to see why so many Thais and expats alike choose the city as their home. From its exciting night scene to the spiritual beauty of the hundreds of temples, there are so many sights and activities to enjoy together.