Northern Thailand is known as a rather wild part of the country. It’s mountainous and rugged. The nature is almost untouched and unexplored here. There are two national parks in Northern Thailand. The first one is Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. It is located on a mountain not far from the country’s second largest city, Chiang Mai. Although it is too close to civilization the park is a food example of wildlife. This region also has the reminders of the ethnic groups who settled it many years ago. Among them are a royal palace and a 600-year-old Buddhist monastery, Wat Prathat. It can’t be said that Northern Thailand is totally free of people. There are still two Hmong hill tribe villages. In lush forests of the park numerous bird species can be found. Another national park is located around Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak.