Chiang Mai – Capital of the Lanna Empire

Many people come to Thailand to spend time soaking up the sun and enjoying the water activities on the beaches of southern Thailand. Many others come to enjoy the nightlife, shopping and foods of Bangkok. Yet I think that to truly experience Thailand you must travel north to the famed northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.

Many must agree with me since Chiang Mai sees over 1 million visitors every year. They come to enjoy the mountain atmosphere which is much cooler than the rest of Thailand’s climate, to visit the many temples and Wats of Chiang Mai (over 300 as of this writing), to shop and find bargains at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and to enjoy the culture of this ancient Thai city. Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lanna empire, a northern Thai kingdom that existed from the 13th to the 18th century and was separate from the rest of Thailand, having its own King and identity.

It’s no wonder then that so tourists come to sample what Chiang Mai has to offer. In addition to all of the historical and cultural sights, you will also find that this is a modern city and is quite vibrant. There are a large selection of restaurants and bars to enjoy as well as the famed Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is like heaven to those who enjoy shopping. You can also still find rooms for rent in Chiang Mai for as low as $3 a night, making this city a perfect stopover for the budget conscious traveler.

These cheap accommodations and equally cheap food combined with the cooler weather and cultural activities available have meant that Chiang Mai has become home to a sizeable population of expatriates. These men and women have brought many of the comforts of their own homelands to Chiang Mai and it is now possible to find all sorts of Western foods and conveniences in this Thai city.

One final benefit of Chiang Mai is that since it is smaller in size it is easier to get around and you won’t suffer with the huge traffic jams that you often find in Bangkok. Chiang Mai has managed to find balance in a mixture of Thai and Western that makes it an eclectic mix and a modern city that is still able to hold its historical background and famed Lanna hospitality.

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