Chiang Mai is the Kingdoms next major city after Bangkok, and along with Sukhothai was one of the first cities to make the historic separation from the dominant Khmer and Mon rule to a new era ruled by Thai’s. Considered by many Thai’s as a quaint, traditional and somewhat spiritual city, in truth Chiang Mai has developed into a modern, cosmopolitan and chic mini metropolis, and a smaller but much prettier alternative to Bangkok. With the existence of many temples, of which there are more than 300 (the same number as Bangkok), this gives the city a genuinely traditional Thai ambiance. In fact there are a number of other things that place Chiang Mai in favor of Bangkok, specifically its cool nights, cleaner air, lesser traffic congestion and easier access to great shopping.