What is Chiang Mai Known For?

The first time I visited Chiang Mai, I thought it was a small village. I knew it was popular with tourists, but I would have guessed the population was around 20,000 based on the fact that the streets never felt crowded, there was very little noise and light pollution, and the center of town contained no highrises or other large structures typical of cities.

That’s why I was shocked when I found out that Chiang Mai is the third biggest city in Thailand, with around 175,000 people. Many visitors feel that same sense of quaintness when they visit Chiang Mai.

Although it is not confirmed, many locals speculate that it is due to the old king’s affinity for the town. Because he loved Chiang Mai so much, he made sure the local government enacted a policy that kept it feeling like the small town that enchanted him in the first place. For instance, the city bus system is extremely limited, and tall buildings are outlawed in the city center.