Travel

Chiang Mai, located in Northern Thailand, is known for its beautiful mountains, rich culture, and its elephant camps. For many travelers, visiting an elephant camp is a must-do activity when visiting Chiang Mai. These camps offer a unique opportunity to interact with these majestic creatures in a responsible and ethical way. There are several elephant

Updated September 2026. For Doi Mae Salong, I recommend a trip built around tea, a Yunnanese meal and a night in the village. A tasting explains what grows on the hillsides; the Yunnanese food and local museum explain the community that lives among them. I would give both time alongside the views of the tea

Updated September 2026. I recommend planning Nan in two parts: time in the provincial town for temples, murals and food, followed by a separate stay in the northern valleys if you want the mountain roads. A room in Nan town gives you access to its historic centre; it does not put Pua, Bo Kluea and

Updated September 2026. For San Kamphaeng, I recommend choosing the craft you want to see before arranging the transport. Umbrella painting, a ceramics workshop and contemporary art make very different visits. The area east of Chiang Mai has all three, but a general “handicraft tour” can mean anything from time with a maker to a

Updated September 2026. Chiang Mai has no sea beach. It is an inland city in northern Thailand. If you want sand beside water without leaving the area, I recommend looking at Huay Tung Tao reservoir. For a day of slides and floating obstacles, Grand Canyon Water Park is the more suitable choice. For an ocean

Updated September 2026. Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest mountain, at 2,565 metres above sea level. A paved road reaches the summit area, and the final approach to the highest-point marker is a short walk. I recommend it to travellers who want cool mountain forest, a day outside Chiang Mai and, when the season allows, a

Updated September 2026. My first choice for the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train is a lower berth in second class on Special Express No. 9. It leaves Bangkok in the evening, provides a bed for the overnight journey and reaches Chiang Mai in the morning. The lower berth costs a little more than the upper

Updated September 2026. I recommend Uttaradit as a stop between the larger destinations of northern Thailand, especially if local food and smaller towns interest you. The combination I like most is straightforward: stay in Uttaradit town, visit the temple opposite the railway station and spend the next day in Laplae eating khao phan phak and

Updated September 2026. I would give Phrae two nights on a journey through northern Thailand. That leaves a day for its old houses and temples, an evening to eat in town and time for either a textile workshop or the countryside before moving on. The town is particularly appealing if you enjoy looking closely at

Updated September 2026. My first decision for a Chiang Rai trip is where to sleep. A room in the city works for temples, restaurants and day trips. A night in Mae Salong gives the tea country an evening and a morning of its own. Staying beside the Mekong makes sense for Chiang Saen and the

Updated September 2026. I recommend starting a northern Thailand itinerary with two decisions: how many times you want to change hotels, and whether the trip is mainly about towns or mountain roads. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai make a straightforward week. Pai and Mae Hong Son suit a journey built around the western mountains. Lampang,