Chiang Mai has a sensibility all its own, as it was once part of the Lan Na Empire, which included present day Burma (Myanmar) and Laos.
The influences from Northern, Southeast Asian countries, prevail here more than that of the southern part of their own country.
The capital, Bangkok, with its bustling cars and chaos almost feels like another world away, even though it’s only an hour plane ride away.
Chiang Mai has its own regional cuisine which takes influences from its neighbors. More than anything else, Chiang Mai is best represented by the quintessential Chiang Mai dish, Khao Soi.
Khao Soi is a creamy coconut curry soup, not ubiquitous in the South, with a slew of aromatics (such as tumeric) mixed in with shrimp paste.
Chiang Mai is well known for its affordable cost of living. The average monthly cost of living in Chiang Mai ranges from $600 to $1,550 USD per month, depending on your lifestyle and accommodation choices.