Lampang – Ban Sao Nak
Ban Sao Nak is an impressive teak-wood structure on pillars, which is more than 100 years old. The house was built in 1985, and today serves as a museum exhibiting many products that provide a glimpse into the local life and culture of the time.
The Golden Triangle / Chiang Rai
The Golden Triangle is an area in Chiang Rai where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
Chiang Mai (city) – a concluding review
Chiang Mae means ‘the new city’. It was built in 1296 and previously known as the capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom. The original city was crowned by a wall and a canal (moat), whose relics can still be seen today. Up until the early 19th century, it took a long, tedious river cruise (on Ping river) or elephant ride to get to the city.
Mae Taeng – A concluding article
Most of the tourist activities in Chiang Mae area are based in Taeng Mae and its vicinity – many elephant farms, zip lines, rafting, ATV tours and more; everything is available in a rather small area.
Mae Hong Son town \ Doi Kong Mu
The mountain and temple which graces its top are one of the few famous destinations around Mae Hong Son town. The mountain is about 1 km away from Mae Hong Son and you can access it through a comfortable road leading up to the temple. The temple is called Wat Phra That Kong Mu and it
Mae Hong Son Town Walking Street
Between October – February the town center features a nice market, and no car traffic is allowed in the area. Mae Hong Son Walking Street stretches across several streets around lake Jom Kham in the town center, and you will find there plenty of stalls with delicious local foods, local art and craft stands, nice
Mae Hong Son town
Mae Hong Son is a small town (roughly the size of Pie), which functions as the capital of Mae Hong Son Province. The town is built in a Burmese style and located in a narrow valley (pie) surrounded by mountains. It is a simple and humble town, yet pleasant and authentic; it serves mainly as
Wat Tham Khao Wong – Uthai Thani
When I first laid eyes on a picture of the temple ( Wat Tham Khao Wong ), I thought it was a special resort in the nature. It didn’t seem like a temple at all, certainly not a typical Thai temple, but rather something different and exceptional. Surely, you will feel the same upon visiting there.
Chiang Rai – Wat Rong Khun / The White temple
A spectacular, exceptional temple, that will impress even those who aren’t temple enthusiasts
The Crystal Temple (Wat Tha Sung) – Uthai Thani
A spectacular, exceptional temple, that will impress even those who aren’t temple enthusiasts
The Thai Jurassic Park (Hup Pa Tat) – Uthai Thani
In ancient times, the valley was in a huge cave; when a part of its ‘ceiling’ collapsed, it enabled the sun rays to reach into the valley, only during the noon, when the sun was particularly high.
The Black House – Chiang Rai
The Black House (Baan Dam) is one of the most unusual attractions in Chiang Rai. It is not a temple, but rather the fruit of a lifetime’s work, a creation that was made by a famous Thai artist, who was born in Chiang Rai and gained national and international recognition – Thawan Duchanee, who passed away in September 2014.
Tea Plantations – Chiang Rai
Choui Fong Tea Plantations are a private/family business, successfully administered by Ms. Shanya Chang who inherited it from her father. This is the largest business of its kind in Chiang Rai, and the diverse tea types that are produced here for 50 years, are considered high-quality products; they are marketed worldwide, and mostly sold to Europe, U.S.A, Taiwan, and Japan.
Pai Walking Street – Mae Hong Son
A very fun, entertaining and colorful place. One of the best Walking Streets in Thailand
Singha Park – Chiang Rai
Though you may explore the park by foot, it is a huge surface, so you should probably join the trailer which drives through the park in a regular route and stops in different spots; you can also rent a bicycle of any kind (mountain bikes, kids’ bike or double-seat bicycles), and travel comfortably and freely.
Mae Fah Luang Gardens – Chiang Rai
Mae Fah Luang Gardens are among the royal family’s projects in Chiang Rai and the entire north; they are the product of the Princess Mother’s initiative. She was the mother of Thai king Rama 9 who passed away less than a year ago. Her name was Princess Srinagarindra and she used to be a nurse, hence her genuine interest in the health and well-being of the local mountain tribes.
Pai Canyon – Mae Hong Son
Pai Canyon is one of the most interesting and impressive attractions in the town of Pai. In Thai, it is known as Kong Lann – an area with an exceptional, highly impressive geographic form.
Mork Fa Waterfall / Chiang Mai
Mork Fa waterfall can be found in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, in a wonderfully green area that hasn’t been commercialized yet. The waterfall is 60 meters high, and the water falls freely in 2-3 streams into a pool at the bottom of the waterfall.
Pai Attractions
As I have previously mentioned, Pai and its surroundings have few attractions, and the area is mainly a chill-out tourist destination with a calm, pleasant atmosphere. Of the very few attractions in Pai – some are good
Ban Jabo Village – Mae Hong Son
One of the most famous attractions in the Ban Jabo Village is a humble noodles restaurant on a hanging terrace above an abyss, overlooking the spectacular local landscape. Many come here not just for the noodles, but to sit by the balcony’s edge, right above the abyss, when the marvelous scenery is spread in front of their eyes.
Phu Klon Mud Spa – Mae Hong Son
Simple, yet lovely spa where you can enjoy several types of treatments and masks in affordable prices
Pha Suea Waterfall – Mae Hong Son
The water of Pla Suea Waterfall come from Sa Nga river in Myanmar, and the waterfall is the most beautiful and impressive in Mae Hong Son area. It has 6 levels and contains water all year long, but its peak is in the rainy season
The Chinese Village of Ban Rak Thai – Mae Hong Son
Not only is this place beautiful, but also the road which gets you there – some 45 km from the city of Mae Hong Son, the route stretches away, delightful and pleasing
Temple of Wat Pa Tam Wua – Mae Hong Son
On the way between Tham Lod (Lod cave) and the city of Mae Hong Son, there is a magical, mystical, pastoral place called Wat Pa Tam Wua – Forest Monastery: a center for studies of Buddhism, spirituality and vipassana (Buddhist meditation).
Pang Oung “Switzerland of Thailand” – Mae Hong Son
Pang Oung “Switzerland of Thailand” is a spectacular, beautiful area, some 40 km away from the city of Mae Hong Son, very close to the authentic Chinese village Ban Rak Thai. This is one of the hidden treasures of Mae Hong Son province
Su Tong Pae bamboo bridge – Mae Hong Son
The bamboo bridge is a few hundreds of meters long. It connects Ban Kung Mai Sak village to Wat Tham Pu Sama temple, which is located on a hill, some 500 meters from the village and beyond the stream.
Pang Tong Palace – Mae Hong Son
Pang Tong Palace is one of the royal family’s projects, that were designed to promote agriculture in Mae Hong Son area. Specifically, their intent was to promote the research, study and development of local agriculture for the villagers
Long Neck Tribe – Mae Hong Son
One of the most famous attractions of Mae Hong Son province is a visit to the village of the long neck tribe. The authentic experience is the complete opposite of cheap, poor tourist shows (as you often find on the way to Chiang Rai).
Doi Inthanon National Park Part B – The King and Queen Pagodas, markets and more / Chiang Mai
Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Nophamethanidon are 2 spectacular pagodas that were built for the Thai king & queen’s birthday. The King and Queen Pagodas – royal pagodas are located some 3 km ahead of Doi Inthanon mountain top
Doi Inthanon National Park Part A – Walking track, waterfalls and Doi Inthanon mountain top
Doi Inthanon National Park is very popular among locals and tourists alike, who come here to enjoy the fresh, cool air, the beauty and serenity of the park, the lovely waterfalls and the terraced rice fields on the mountainsides, among other things.
Sankampaeng Hot Springs – Chiang Mai
30 km south of Chiang Mai city, slightly after the umbrella and handicraft villages (Bo Sang & Sankampaeng), you’ll find Sankampaeng Hot Springs – a highly popular destination along standard tourist routes
Bo Sang Umbrella Village & Sankampaeng Villages – Paper Umbrellas and Various Handicrafts – Chiang Mai
Some 13 km south of Chiang Mai city, on route 1006 (Sankampaeng Rd) there are several villages that function as local handicrafts centers. You’ll find plenty of factories and shops there, that offer a wide variety of handmade items and souvenirs, including paper umbrellas, parasols and hand-held fans, wood carvings, silk, gems, ceramics, bronze and more.
Tham Lod – Mae Hong Son
Tham Lod (Lod cave) is one of the most impressive and interesting caves in Thailand. It is located halfway between the city of Pai and the town of Mae Hong Son (some 77 km away from the latter), in a district which belongs to Mae Hong Son, called Pang Mapha.
Tham Pla – The Fish Cave- Mae Hong Son
Some 17 km from the city of Mae Hong Son, there’s a little park called Tham Pla Forest Park. It is a part of a large park called Tham Pla-Namtok Phasuea National Park, where you will find Pha Suea waterfall (the ‘mat’ waterfall) – the most beautiful waterfall in Mae Hong Son.
The Town of Pai – Mae Hong Son
Pai is a small yet very famous town in Mae Hong Son Province; it is well known to campers and other travelers, who enjoy visiting this tourist destination, which is located in a pastoral valley, crowned by mountains and surrounded by rice fields. The city of Chiang Mai is located 140 km away from Pai, and it takes some 3 hours to drive from one location to the other.
Wat Ban Den – Mae Taeng area – Chiang Mai
Wat Ban Den is a unique, spectacular place to visit – seemingly taken from an illustrated fairy tale and gracefully placed in this area.
Pong Dueat Hot Spring / Chiang Mai
“The Geyser”, or in its full name Pong Dueat Hot Spring, is located in the district of Mae Taeng
Op Luang National Park / Chiang Mai
Op Luang is a small yet charming national park, with impressive, mysterious landscapes. It is located south east of the city of Chiang Mai
Rafting Chiang Mai
Mae Taeng river which cuts through the area enables a fun rafting experience for the entire family.
Tha Ton Town & Wat Tha Ton Temple – Chiang Mai
Wat Tha Ton Temple – is a large complex with Chinese elements, located on different levels of the hill. Every level consists of different sites and structures, including a meditation center, for one. At the hill top. You’ll find the most famous structure in Wat Tha Ton – the Chedi Kaew or Crysal Pagoda.
Doi Ang Khang – Chiang Mai
In the past, the place was covered with opium fields, that grew thanks to the work of local tribes, but today you will find here various crops that fit the cool, local weather during most of the year: coffee and apple plantations, strawberry fields, plantations, pears, plums, along with many other vegetables and flowers.
Chiang Dao Cave – Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao cave, which is in fact, a complex of 100 caves that are connected to one another. The caves spread along some 12 km below the nearby mountain-chains
Bua Thong waterfalls – Si Lanna National Park – Chiang Mai
Bua Thong waterfalls stand out, and you won’t get to see similar sites in any other place in Thailand, so I highly recommend visiting them as part of your northern tour.
Si Lanna National Park – Chiang Mai
The entire area is off the standard tourist grid, away from the common, redundant path. However, it is popular among locals and foreigners who live in Chiang Mai. You won’t see plenty of tourist busses
The Giant Café – Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai / The Giant Café , A 90-minute drive from the city of Chiang Mai, while heading towards the east in the district of Mae On, will lead you to a small village in the middle of the jungle, called Pok Village. There, one of the most surprising and amazing attractions awaits, seemingly taken