Doi Chiang Dao, Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has long been a popular travel destination thanks to its rich history, excellent shopping, delicious cuisine, and surrounding mountain scenery. But Northern Thailand has much more to offer than you might think. Here are six destinations near Chiang Mai that you should definitely visit.

Northern Thailand borders Myanmar and Laos to the west, north, and east and comprises 17 provinces. Besides Chiang Mai, these are Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Lamphun, Lampang, Phetchabun, Nan, Tak, Uttaradit, Phichit, Phrae, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, and Phayao.

Here is a brief overview of six of the provinces that are suitable for a visit to Chiang Mai:

Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand, boasts a dramatic landscape of mountains, rivers and forests, an ethnic diversity with various hill tribes and a strong Lanna identity reflected in architecture, art, language, music and cuisine.

Chiang Saen, situated on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, was an important city in the ancient Lanna Kingdom. Even today, chedis, Buddha statues, earthworks, and pillars can still be seen. The city is also famous for its views of the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.

The mountainous and largely forested province of Mae Hong Son offers scenic beauty and outdoor activities, the fascinating culture of its ethnically diverse population, and an enchanting rural charm.

The popular Mae Hong Son tour is ideally suited for a rental car or motorbike trip. The approximately 600 km long tour starts and ends in Chiang Mai and leads, among other places, to Mae Chaem at the foot of Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain, to the river town of Mae Sariang, and to Pai with its relaxed, alternative scene and offerings for backpackers as well as activities such as rafting, tubing, trekking, and cycling.

Lamphun was founded in the 7th century by Queen Chamathewi and is one of the oldest cities in Thailand. It was the capital of the Hariphunchai Kingdom and the northernmost city of the Mon Kingdom during the Dvaravati period.

The city of Lamphun is only a 40-minute drive from Chiang Mai. The province is home to three national parks: Mae Takhrai National Park, Mae Ping National Park, and Doi Khun Tan National Park, which contains Thailand's longest railway tunnel.

The province is a major producer of the small round fruit Longan (Lamyai in Thai) and hosts a Longan Festival every year in August.

The historic province of Lampang was home for several years to the revered Emerald Buddha, which is now housed in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The city is rich in unique sights, including one of Thailand's oldest wooden buildings and what many consider the most impressive temple in northern Thailand.

Lampang is also home to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, which cares for sick and injured elephants and is dedicated to the protection of Thai elephants and the promotion of ecotourism. Visitors can observe elephants bathing and feeding, and an exhibition provides a good overview of the history and cultural significance of the Thai elephant.

Phrae boasts a long history dating back to the Mon kingdom of Hariphunchai and was once one of the largest centers of the teak trade in Thailand. Historical buildings and sites in the old town of the provincial capital bear witness to this former prosperity, and the province still possesses one of the largest teak forest reserves in the country.

The village of Ban Thung Hong in the Phrae region is known for its products made from Mo Ham, a locally produced, indigo-dyed cotton fabric. A fascinating natural attraction is the Phae Mueang Phi Forest Park, where two million years of erosion have created bizarre red sandstone formations.

Nan Province lies 700 kilometers north of Bangkok and consists largely of beautiful wilderness, while the remainder is rural and primarily focused on rice and fruit cultivation. The city of Nan has just over 20,000 inhabitants, making it a relatively small provincial capital. However, it is an ancient city whose history dates back to the 14th century.

Arrival

Chiang Mai International Airport and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport are served by domestic and regional flights.

locomotion

Travelers wishing to explore northern Thailand further can do so via private tour, their own car, or long-distance buses. Domestic flights connect Chiang Mai to other destinations.