Doi Nang Non, the 'mountain of the sleeping lady', is part of the Daen Lao Range and is one of the main geographic features of Mae Chan District.

The district was created as the successor of Mueang Chiang Saen.

The original center of the mueang later became part of the minor district Chiang Saen Luang, so in 1939 this minor district was renamed to Chiang Saen, while the district Chiang Saen itself was renamed Mae Chan.

[1] Mae Chan is divided into 11 subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 139 administrative villages (mubans).

Missing numbers are tambon which now form Doi Luang District.