What do you envision when you think of Thailand? Even though Thailand has one of the most biodiverse systems in the world, most travellers would describe it as a country of tropical islands with picture-perfect sandy beaches. And we can’t blame them!
Thailand is among the top tropical destinations on the planet, and you probably don’t need much evidence for that. The allure of Thailand island hopping is undeniable, with lush islands bordered by white-sanded beaches, spectacular aquatic life inside the blue lagoons, and mouth-watering culinary pleasures. In fact, on our blog, you can read detailed itineraries all about island hopping in Thailand and the best beaches in Thailand. Nonetheless, we want to draw your attention to the north of the “Land of Smiles” this time.
Northern Thailand is renowned for its gorgeous lush jungles, green hills, majestic falls, ancient temples and historical landmarks, as opposed to Southern Thailand’s sandy shores. Northern Thailand is also culturally rich and offers superb food, such as Khao Niaw (sticky rice) or Khao Soi (creamy coconut curry noodle soup).
Chiang Mai, northern Thailand’s most visited city, and Chiang Rai, a less popular though the extremely tourist-friendly city, instantly spring to mind when it comes to the best places to go in northern Thailand.
However, if you go a little further, you’ll be rewarded with a genuinely unforgettable trip to some truly off-the-beaten-path locations. But, with northern Thailand’s roughly 17 provinces, how do you know which ones are worth visiting? Don’t worry. We have asked our Local Designers, and below, you will find their favourite places to go in northern Thailand!
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Before You Visit Northern Thailand: Top Tips
Northern Thailand is best visited between November and March when the weather is cooler. The weather becomes truly unpleasant from mid-April with excessive humidity and temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius.
The rainy season lasts the longest, stretching from June to October. If you have more time, this is also a fantastic time to avoid the crowds and enjoy the northern region’s rich green countryside.
How to Travel in Northern Thailand
By Taxi – Taxis in Chiang Mai have taximeters, but the drivers are often unwilling to use them; thus, prices are set. Taxis are available from Chiang Mai to nearby cities; however, they are expensive. There are no Ubers, but GrabTaxi, a comparable service, is accessible. To use it, you can simply download the Grab app.
By Minivan – Minivans and Buses are the cheapest means of transportation in Thailand. When you book with our Local Designers, minivans will be waiting to transport you short distances across islands, between nearby cities, or from the airport to your accommodation.
By Scooter – Scooter or motorcycle rental is particularly common in Thailand. We recommend using them only for day excursions if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable driving scooters or motorcycles.
By Tuk-Tuk – Tuk-tuks, which can be seen all across the nation, are an iconic emblem of Thailand that everyone wants to try. Getting into a tuk-tuk, decorated in bright colours and equipped with anything from extravagant horns to mobile dance stations, is an adventure. It does, however, come at a cost to travellers. Regardless of the distance, plan to pay at least 200 Baht for every ride.
By Rented Car – Renting a car is always the most convenient choice and allows you to explore at your leisure. Northern Thailand’s roads are wide and well-maintained, so getting around shouldn’t be an issue. The traffic is not as bad as it is in Bangkok, and having your own means of transportation helps to cope with Thailand’s heat and humidity. If you don’t want to drive independently, our Local Designers can find a private driver for you.
For more tips on travelling to Thailand, see our Thailand Travel Guide.
Best Places To Go In Northern Thailand
1. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is among the country’s most picturesque cities and is one of the best places to go in northern Thailand. You should visit Chiang Mai even if you’re not a city person or do not enjoy urban tourism. Despite being one of Thailand’s most populated cities, Chiang Mai really does have a small-town vibe. The reason for this is that the city has a population of just 122,000 people.
Chiang Mai’s Old Town is well-known among its visitors. This historic district is filled with culture and history as well as ancient city walls and temples dating back centuries.. It is also where the majority of tourists decide to find accommodation.
While in Chiang Mai, you should explore its magnificent temples. Wat Chedi Luang is the most spectacular pagoda in Chiang Mai Old Town. The temple complex’s main structure is a massive brick and stucco temple. At 80 metres tall, this brick construction was one of the highest structures in the former Lanna Kingdom.
Another interesting temple is Wat Chiang Man. The temple was established in the ancient walled city, which was the previous residence of the Lawa people, whereas the new capital of Chiang Mai was just being built and was encircled by city walls.
The Elephant Chedi, the first building in the complex, is the central structure of Wat Chiang Man, featuring 15 life-size elephant statues holding the Chedi on their backs. There’s also the main wihan, which has an altar in the centre surrounded by Buddha sculptures. One of them bears the date 1465 CE and is said to be the Lanna Kingdom’s earliest sculpture. The smaller wihan is widely considered one of Chiang Mai’s most holy structures. It holds two of the city’s most important Buddha statues, who protect the city and its inhabitants.
Wat Chiang Man is one of the temples you can visit during our 6-Day Northern Thailand Highlights tour.
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Planning to Visit Northern Thailand?
Chiang Mai is one of the finest destinations since it has so many amazing sights to see.
Visitors may explore its natural beauty without having to go far. In close proximity to Chiang Mai, you can visit:
- Namtok Bua Tong (Sticky Waterfalls) – a limestone rock waterfall that is not slippery and may be climbed barefoot.
- Mae Sa Waterfall – an area of nine or ten tiny waterfalls and cascades located between 100 and 500 meters apart
- Doi Inthanon National Park – home to many waterfalls, indigenous communities, and Thailand’s tallest peak, Doi Inthanon. (we cover this in more depth below)
- The Mae Ping River – the ideal location for a picturesque riverboat cruise.
- San Kamphaeng Hot Springs – a well-kept park with several hot springs.
You will cover some of these beautiful sights during our 4-Day Chill in Chiang Mai Tour.
2. Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain, is found not far from Chiang Mai and sees weather that you don’t usually expect in Thailand, from cooler-than-usual mountain breezes to frost in the early mornings during the winter. While visiting northern Thailand, you definitely should climb this magnificent mountain.
Travellers may find some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Chiang Mai region inside Doi Inthanon National Park, including the enormous Wachirathan Waterfall and the gorgeous waterfalls of Mae Ya. There are various trails available at the top, and one of the prettiest is the Kew Mae Pan path, which takes you along the mountain crest and allows you to watch the sea of clouds as it hangs above the valley below from Thailand’s highest point.
Given Doi Inthanon’s beauty, accessibility, and the number of activities to try, it is definitely one of the top places to go in northern Thailand. You can visit Doi Inthanon National Park during our 18-Day Complete Thailand Trip.
3. Elephant Sanctuary
Many visitors believe that a trip to Thailand is incomplete without seeing and learning about elephants, Thailand’s national animal. While elephants may be found everywhere across Thailand, Northern Thailand offers some of the finest opportunities to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat of forests and mountains.
From ethical elephant sanctuaries to the opportunity to go deep into the jungle and witness elephants going about their everyday lives, there is no better region in the country to gain a feel of the majesty of these incredible animals. Our Local Designers in Thailand always put the well-being of animals first. They only select ethical sanctuaries where the animals are treated kindly, helping the visitors make a more meaningful encounter. During our 6-Day Northern Thailand Highlights trip, you will be able to visit Eco Elephant Care, while during the 18-Day Complete Thailand Trip, you will be visiting the Thai Elephant Care Centre.
4. Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost city, is about a 3.5-hour journey north of Chiang Mai. There is a lot of fantastic scenery around the town since it is a mountainous area with waterfalls and forests along the way.
Wat Rong Khun, widely known as the White Temple, is the most visited attraction in Chiang Rai, and is a must-see landmark in the city Though it is referred to as a temple, it is actually a privately owned Buddhist-style art exhibition funded by Chalermchai Kositpitat. In contrast to other Thai temples, The White Temple pushes the boundaries of Buddhist craftsmanship, resulting in a truly unique appearance.
Also worth visiting is Baan Dam, a collection of 15 structures bursting with fascinating contemporary craft. The ‘Dark House,’ as it is called, is the idea of Tawan Duchanee, a well-known Thai artist who has gained worldwide recognition. The Black House, which is also filled with controversy, is among Thailand’s most inventive handicraft venues. You can learn more about Chiang Rai artists during our 6-Day Northern Thailand Highlights Tour.
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Another interesting temple in Chiang Rai is Wat Huay Pla Kung. This lovely temple complex is made up of three temples: Guan yin, the 9-tier temple, and the small white temple. It is situated on top of a hill. As each of the three temples is constructed in its own space, the complex is enormous.
Guan Yin is by far the most magnificent of the three temples, and it will capture your attention as soon as you arrive. It is spectacular in every way, with a 23-story-high monument of the Goddess of Mercy and a staircase flanked by a massive dragon sculpture.
If you enjoy photography, sunrise is the finest time to visit. It is also more calm and relaxed.
Last but not least, one of the top places to go in northern Thailand is the Blue Temple, also known as Wat Rong Seua Ten. It has a sapphire blue colour that really makes it stand out from other temples in Thailand. With all of the goldwork and elaborate features, the interior design of this temple is simply breathtaking. You can visit Wat Rong Seua Ten during our 4-Day Chiang Rai Adventure Tour.
5. Ban Mae Klang Luang
When travelling to Bae Mae Klang Luang, one of the most memorable things to do is to take in the breathtaking vistas of terraced rice paddies. Throughout the rainy season, notably from September to mid-October, the entire panorama of Ban Mae Klang Luang is covered by a fine coating of fog.
The second most attractive season to visit is October and November, when the region is illuminated with golden rice ears. Bae Mae Klang Luang is also an excellent place for trekking. Natural routes include the Doi Hua Sua Route, the Huay Nam Khun Bird-watching Route, and the Pha Siew Waterfall Route. These hikes are great for naturalists or anyone interested in the lifestyle of the locals. You can visit Bae Mae Klang Luang on our 18-Day Complete Thailand Trip.
6. Mae Salak and Chiang Dao
Chiang Dao Caves are located around 70 kilometres north of Chiang Mai and are accessible via sloping hillsides. Chiang Dao National Park’s caves are one of the park’s most popular attractions.
The Chiang Dao cave system is said to have around 100 caves that stretch for 10-12 kilometres within the mountain range, although only five of them are now made available to the public.
To truly experience the unspoiled beauty of this place, our Local Designers have prepared a 4-Day Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bike Tour. This northern Thailand tour will take you via Chiang Dao’s beautiful limestone highlands and Mae Salak’s charming town on the Mae Kok River. You will go through back roads with little traffic and stunning views.
One of the most gorgeous tour rides is to Mae Salak, which follows the Mae Kok River. Near the Thai border town of Tha Ton, the beautiful green hills on the horizon represent Thailand’s natural border with Myanmar.
7. Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son, in the extreme northwestern part of Thailand, should be on everyone’s list of places to go in northern Thailand. Mae Hong Son encapsulates the best of northern Thailand, with its beautiful mountains and Hill Tribe communities.
Pai is the province’s most well-known village. Originally known as a backpackers’ hangout, it still preserves part of its ‘visitors’ ambience with its busy street market and diverse selection of pubs and restaurants. However, it also offers some pleasant spots to stay for a romantic getaway or to simply take in the scenery.
The mountains and tiny settlements scattered around Mae Hong Son are the province’s primary allure. Put Mae Hong Son on your bucket list now; it’s perfect for the more intrepid traveller and has far more excellent hiking than you’ll ever need.
Plan Your Personalised Northern Thailand Tour With Us!
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To craft your perfect Northern Thailand tour, check out our gallery of fully-customisable Northern Thailand tours, or if you’re seeking to venture beyond the north region, see what the rest of Thailand has in store in our gallery of fully-customisable Thailand tours! And if you already know what you want, you can go straight to ‘Start Designing Your Trip’ and create a fully-personalised Thailand tour.
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