The northern part of Thailand It is a favorite and popular destination among many travelers and for good reason. The special nature that characterizes it (which is partly very mountainous), The more temperate climate (in the months of December to February it is even very cold at night), the well-kept fertile land and also the meeting of the borders with Myanmar and Laos - "The golden triangle"And more surprises, all these and more are good reasons to go north anddedicate to northern Thailand At least two weeks in a row. Getting to this part of the country is possible On a domestic flight from Bangkok - Direct flight to Chiang Mai, or get on a train that makes the beautiful and long way. It is also possible by buses and via Other transportation solutions, but if you want to devote at least two days to the trip, it is recommended to choose the flight option, which is the shortest and most convenient of all the others.
Start in Bangkok and go north
after the Direct flight to Thailand from Israel, which lands in bangkok the lively, continue north whether after a few hours or after a few days of organizing and resting. Of course there is Quite a lot to do and see in Bangkok And it is even recommended to take advantage of the opportunity and devote two or three days to the beautiful city, but if your trip to the north is not that long anyway, you should organize quickly for the rest and board a direct domestic flight that makes its way to the first destination, the capital of the north - Chiang Mai, The distance between the two cities is around 700 km (depending on which route you choose) and a trip by bus or car can take between 9 and 11 hours net. It is a long trip that is possible by train and bus, but for convenience a direct flight is recommended, which is comfortable and pleasant.
Chiang Mai is The largest city in northern Thailand, and as such it attracts quite a few tourists as well as locals. It is a starting point for many trips in the northern part of Thailand and can be found there A host of accommodation solutions in a very wide range of prices. It is highly recommended to dedicate several days to the city, take advantage of the opportunity to visit in the beautiful temples in it (and there are crowds in it!!!), stop in the colorful markets, including the famous night market of Chiang Mai, and also to taste From the delicious local food. The hundreds of temples in Chiang Mai definitely deserve a visit, including the Chiang Man Temple, which is considered the oldest of the temples in the city and the Phra Tat Doi Sutep Temple, known for its special location on top of the hill, the amazing views from it and of course the golden stupa that is right in the center.
Accommodation in Chiang Mai
As mentioned, in Chiang Mai there is a huge selection of places to stay, for every budget and every level of indulgence you choose. It is recommended to close the corner of booking accommodation in advance, in order to arrive with peace of mind and devote the time to trips and not to arrangements and searches. Here are recommended places worth checking out:
- Chiang Clan
- city center
- Chiang Mai
For more recommended hotels in Chiang Mai click here >>
Departing from Chiang Mai to other destinations
After 4-3 full days in Chiang Mai, you can continue further north, to the city Chiang Rai, which is about a four and a half hour drive from Chiang Mai (around 200 km north). But before going to Chiang Rai to get to know another place: Pai. Pai is less than 130 km from Chiang Mai (less than three hours' continuous drive). It is a charming small town that looks like it was taken from a postcard. It is a dream destination for many travelers and it is located in a valley, surrounded by endless mountains. Many who visited it stated that the feeling when visiting it is that time in the city has stopped, and indeed Pai has its own time. The city has three main streets, and the picturesque Pai River crosses its eastern part. In this river, you can find several fun attractions, such as adventurous rafting, that will spice you up Enjoy your vacation. Of course, there are quite a few hiking trails in the immediate area and challenging mountain hikes. Either way, this is a perfect destination for nature lovers, a destination that must be visited.
do not miss: Pai's name as a "healthy" and green place has spread far and wide, and indeed, when visiting the city you will find a very high concentration of restaurants offering vegetarian and organic food, juice shops and other options for a healthier lifestyle. The city has meditation centers, holistic healing workshops, yoga classes, tai chi and many opportunities to improve your health.
Recommended hotels in Pai
For all the hotels in Pai, click here >>
Back to Chiang Rai
From Pai you can go back to Chiang Mai and go from there to Chiang Rai, the next big city. It is very worthwhile to dedicate a few days to this area, both thanks to the opportunity for a fascinating encounter with ancient local tribes and thanks to the spectacular nature that decorates it from all sides. At a distance of 400 km from Chiang Rai (about seven hours net drive more or less), is the city Mae Hong Son, not far from the border with Myanmar. This beautiful city, which is surrounded by mountains, is another tourist destination on the way, from where we continue to the mountain tribes. These tribes are met at a unique point,The golden triangle", the meeting of the borders between three countries: Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Different tribes live there, among them The long-necked tribe The famous one, whose wives are known for the long metal rings wrapped around their necks. In recent years, visiting the place has become very commercialized and if it is important to you to absorb the culture and enjoy a tour as authentic as possible, it is recommended that you choose a professional and experienced company that offers trips there (with local guides, of course). On that occasion, you should also combine a cruise along the Mekong River, a very long river that passes through Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and also China. Now, you can board a return flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok or continue from there to other parts of the country.
Recommended hotels in Chiang Rai
- and Yang
- and Yang
- and Yang
- Rupp and Young
For all hotels in Chiang Rai click here >>
Of course there are other places in the north that are also worth visiting, but if your time is limited, the stopping points mentioned above can be part of a very varied and experiential trip. In any case, as part of planning the trip, take into account Weather conditions, the season of the year in terms of tourism and make sure to book domestic flights in advance if this is your preferred transportation solution.
Post-military trip to Thailand - additional articles in the series:
- Where do you start?
- General information about a post-military trip to Thailand
- Vaccinations and medical information before traveling in Thailand
- Short trip - South Thailand
- A long trip
