Highlights of Northern Thailand

Chiang Rai is a mountainous region in northern Thailand, bordering Laos and Myanmar. It is also a part of the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the Mekong River and serves as an excellent base to explore the region. Like any famous Thai city, Chiang Rai abounds with temples which are part of the day to day life of its inhabitants. Most well-known among them are White and Blue Temples. The former is the most popular landmark in Chiang Rai for its uniquely designed structure representing life, death, and rebirth — important parts of the Buddhist cycle of life. The latter painted entirely in blue color symbolizing serenity and wisdom, something you don't see every day in a temple, is home to Buddhist-style patterns and illustrations of Buddha's life cycle, depicting hell and heaven. Surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and thick rainforest, Chiang Rai is a great base for visiting hill tribes and scenic mountain trekking. There’s a range of diverse options from short treks, visits to a waterfall or a viewpoint, as well as a visit to a traditional hill tribe community still living among the jungle-covered mountains to gain an insight into their way of life.

Mae Hong Son has a totally different feel to many other Thai provinces. Tucked away in the mountainous border region of north-west, it is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the entire kingdom with combining influences from Myanmar (Burma) and China. This fascinating mix is reflected in the colourful dress of the hill-tribe communities, the distinctive architecture and the delicious local food. Surrounded by rolling mountain ranges, pristine forests, lakes, rivers, breezy grasslands, and countless viewpoints, Mae Hong Son is an ideal destination for those seeking adventure or simply looking to connect with nature. Nevertheless, it seems to be untouched by mainstream tourism partly due to its remote position. Hiking through forests and hills, healing in hot springs, visiting waterfalls, exploring the majestic Buddhist temples, taking a boat ride along the scenic river, or interacting with the friendly and hospitable local tribes are all options for visitors who venture into this area. As a melting pot of cultures and traditions, Mae Hong Son is an unmissable destination for vacationers and travellers eagerly looking for an unfiltered and organic adventure. Home to a rich tapestry of diverse hill tribes including the Hmong, Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Lawa, Pa-O and more, Mae Hong Son is still relatively off the beaten track compared to neighbouring Chiang Mai and is the perfect destination to visit traditional local villages and interact with the locals via organized tours. As a fusion of the indigenous tribal communities' culture to the spectacular natural beauty of the countryside, Mae Hong Son is certainly a dream-come-true destination for many visitors.

Fame as 'the rose of the North', Chiang Mai is an alluring city brimming with glittering temples, lush jungle, delicious streetfood and the bustle of lively markets. As the gateway to the mountains in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has grown far beyond the medieval city walls that once marked it as the ancient capital of Lanna Kingdom. Nevertheless, its temple-lined backstreets still conjure up the glory of the old empire and it is still possible to get a feel for Chiang Mai's Thai culture and traditions. Ancient shrines and traditional wooden houses jostle for space with boutique hotels, stylish restaurants and trendy bars of this northern town as well as its welcoming customs and laidback pace of life leads to a rising footfall of enthusiastic tourists with each year. Home to a vast number of national parks, lush tropical jungles, hidden waterfalls, stunning rivers, and animal sanctuaries, Chiang Mai is an unmissable stop-off point for many outdoor adventure-seeking travellers. From trekking to the villages of Thailand's hill tribes to other adrenaline activities including mountain biking, white-water rafting, rock climbing expeditions and zip-lining through the rainforest canopy that makes Chiang Mai a perfect getaway.