Chiang Mai (Thai: เชียงใหม่) sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand.    It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province, a former capital of the Kingdom ofLanna (1296–1768) and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939.    It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country.   The city is along the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. Chiang Mai means "new city" and was so-named because it was the new capital, founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai (founded 1262) in the capital of the Lanna kingdom.