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1. Chiang Mai
This place is considered as the northern capital of Thailand. Surrounded by the hills, it’s a rising city for tourists who wish to explore the lush green landscape, hill tribes and outdoor adventure as Chiang Mai offers a maddening blend of culture and nature. In this big culturally important city, both historical and modern Thai architecture and traditions coexist. There are over 500 temples in Chiang Mai. Among them, the most famous is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple which is located outside Chiang Mai on a mountainside overlooking the city. The Night Zoo is very much interesting for both children and adults. Go to Thailand’s highest place at Doi Inthanon and there you will meet hill tribes, a number of beautiful waterfalls, and elephants at a sanctuary. You can also go to the Doi Inthanon National Park. Here is located the highest mountain in Thailand and the massive waterfall Mae Ya. Nightlife here is low key compared to Bangkok but still, there are a lot of bars to enjoy and night bazaar is the best place to browse and purchase traditional Thai wares. The best way to know about a place’s culture is to enjoy the food. No doubt, Chiang Mai is the best foodie destination in Northern Thailand. It’s also one of the cheapest places to visit. For local foods, go to the Sunday Walking St near Tha Pae gate, Saturday Night Walking Street on Wua Lai Road, the daily Warorot Market or Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road.
2. Bangkok
The capital city of Thailand, a humming cosmopolitan area of tall edifices, beautiful palaces, age-old temples, sparkling nightclubs, fussy markets and streets lined with sellers selling souvenirs and mouth-watering foods, Bangkok, is the biggest city in the country. Sometimes you may consider it as a concrete forest crammed with noisy traffic and air pollution but you can’t ignore the city’s natural beauty that is seen it its canals, greeneries and flowering tropical plants. Start your trip from the Grand Palace for a rapid look at the famous Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Then find other Buddhist temples, for instance, Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Saket (Golden Mount Temple), and Wat Traimit (Temple of Golden Buddha). For delicious local food, go to Yaowarat (Bangkok’s Chinatown). If you want to take a break from the bustling city life, go to Jim Thomson House, Lupini Park or enjoy a scenic cruise/ferry ride along the Chao Phraya River. Khao San Road is famous for its cheap shopping, dining, and nightlife. You can also go to floating markets nearby like Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak.
3. Chiang Rai
It’s often tarnished by its more popular neighbor of Chiang Mai but still, this northernmost city of Thailand serves as the main economic hub of the Golden Triangle. Chiang Rai is often used as the base by the tourists for exploring the surrounding locality. From here you can visit the Golden Triangle, which contains the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. This place provides tourists hiking and trekking facilities. On the hilly areas, you will meet the local ethnic groups. Waterfalls and hot springs are the natural features that you can enjoy in Chiang Mai. Enjoy the lush greeneries and the stretching suspension bridge at Me Fah Luang Garden. One of Thailand’s most unique temples, the gleaming White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is located here. Find the largest statue of Guan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, and stroll through a collection of traditional Thai edifices at Baan Dam, or the Black House. At day time generally, tourists are out on day trips. So the town is quiet during the day but at night when the tourist returns the neon light flash on and the souvenir shops and restaurants come into action.
4. Ayutthaya
One of Thailand’s old cities, UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya is a must for history lovers. Situated in the Chao Phraya River valley, this city was established in 1350. It sits on an island enclosed by three rivers joining it to the Gulf of Siam. King U Thong of Ayutthaya Kingdom (also known as Siam) declared it as the capital. Once Ayutthaya was one of the most impressive cities on earth with its three palaces, more than 400 temples and a population that reached nearly 1,000,000. After the Burmese attack in 1767, the capital was moved to Bangkok. The relics of this old city are now a key attraction for the visitors. Wat Yai Chai is really beautiful with its long stupas that you can climb, enclosed by lines of saffron-clad Buddha statues. The other attractions here are the famous stone head encased in a tree, Wat Ratchaburana, and Wat Si Samphet. You can also visit the old Dutch and Portuguese areas and the floating market to collect souvenirs.
5. Kanchanaburi
Situated in western Thailand alongside the Burmese border, this place is well known for its wonderful scenery and accessibility to national parks and waterfalls. Kanchanaburi is a combination of both natural and wartime attractions. The Bridge over the river Kwai is the main tourist attraction here. It is associated with the historic Death Railway to Myanmar in which thousands of Asian workers and POWS died during its construction under Japanese occupation during WWII. There are several museums and war time cemeteries here. Outside Kanchanaburi, there are some national parks including Erawan and Srinakarind which offer nice sceneries of waterfalls and caves. It is the home of multi-level Erawan Falls and Pra That Cave. If you choose a less crowded remote waterfall, Huay Mae Khamin is recommended for you.
6. Sukhothai
One of Thailand’s ancient capital, Sukhothai Historical Park, is one of Thailand’s most captivating world heritage sites. It comprised of a large complex that houses the relics of the Sukhothai Kindom in the 13th and 14th centuries. It is located in northern Thailand. It has a wide collection of nearly 200 sets of remains of the past that include crumbling walls, extensive foundations of 26 temples and royal palaces, large lakes, beautiful wats and statues, Buddha images in all sizes and poses, soaring columns, and the remains of halls and other buildings. Tourists can also go to the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum and know about the Sukhothai culture. Nearby Si Stchanalai Historical park can be another destination of yours.
7. Pai
Once Pai was a calm and quiet village in northern Thailand but now it’s a busy town. It is located between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. It’s famous for its photogenic valley and serene atmosphere and so it’s very much popular among the tourists and backpackers who wish to explore the region. As Pai is located at the foothills of the mountains, tourists get the facility of trekking and visiting hill tribes. Just outside the city, you can see elephant campus, hot springs, andmagnificent waterfalls. You can also enjoy tubing and whitewater adventures at Pai River. Yet, the most unique thing of Pai is its Canyon, with intense slopes of orange rock winding like a labyrinth.
8. Phuket
It’s not only Thailand’s biggest island but also one of its key tourist attractions. Phuket has many features that can attract tourists. Many go to the thronging sands of Patong which is well- known for its hedonistic nightlife and water sports but there are other beaches that suit everybody. Enjoy a boat ride to the scenic Freedom Beach, chill on Karon Beach, relish the sight from Kathu Beach and many more. Prothem Cape offers wonderful sunset vistas. Phuket provides world-class shows, exhilarating Muay Thai fights, global cuisine for food lovers and bars and clubs of every type. You can try Hiking, fishing, snorkeling and jet skiing here and go to the island’s most popular cultural sites, Wat Chalong, and the Big Buddha. Go through the beautiful old building of the Phuket Town. For extreme Fun, visit Baan Teelanka (The Upside Down House) and Phuket Trickeye Museum.
9. Krabi
One of Thailand’s most popular provinces, Krabi is home to the country’s most wonderful sea beaches with picturesque surroundings and towering limestone cliffs. Here Ao Nang, also known as Ao Phra Nang, is the key tourist beach. Ride on a boat and enjoy rock climbing in Railay or go island hopping to Ko Poda, Koh Kai (Chicken Island), Phi Phi Islands and Hong Island in Phang Nga Bay. Krabi is also well known for its easy ferry connections to Phuket and Koh Lanta. Animal lovers can spend time volunteering at Lanta Animal Welfare for the peace of your soul.
10. Mae Hong Son
A remote cascading mountain region in Northern Thailand, Mae Hong Son has a border with Myanmar. Its picturesque beauty with its misty mountains attracts the tourists. This area is largely populated with the Shan ethnic group. You can enjoy a wonderful journey from Pai if you are good at driving a car or motorbike. Pai is the main tourist attraction here for the people who love nature and a laid back life. In former times it was a popular hippie hangout but in recent times, people come here to visit Pai Canyon, hot springs and waterfalls. This area also provides good hiking facilities and fun tubing in the river.
11. Koh Pha-ngan
Koh Pha-ngan is widely known for its full moon parties and hedonistic nightlife. Except this, Koh Pha-ngan is a nature lover’s dream. For wild partying and fun, Haad Rin is the best place. If you go far from the crowd and discover serene beaches, beautiful waterfalls and lush greeneries then you will find that there’s much more in this notorious party island to enjoy than just cocktail buckets. At night market you can buy thigh food and satisfy your hunger at a low cost. There are many cooking schools where you can learn how to cook your favorite dishes. If you discover Koh Phangan’s spiritual side, you will see many meditation and yoga centers, new age communities, retreats, workshops and other methods to maintain inner balance and peace.
12. Koh Samui
An upscale opponent to Phuket, a popular island in the Thai Gulf, Kah Samui is the second largest island in Thailand and the largest in the Gulf of Thailand. With its cool beaches, less crowd and a chill nightlife, Koh Samui, attracts everyone from families and honeymooners to backpackers and solo adventurers. From here you can visit Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park. You can also visit the beautiful beaches like Chaweng, Lamai, and Mae Nam enclosing Koh Samui. The Old fishing village can be your tour extension. There are many places to shop, eat, drink, and sleep. You can see a temple here with a mummified monk and nearby rock formations that resemble male and female genitalia! There are several high-class spas and golf courses for visitors.
13. Nakhon Ratchasima
It’s a vast province in Northeast Thailand. Khao Yai National Park is one of the key attractions in Nakhon Ratchasima and a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. Visitors can see here abundant wildlife, nice waterfalls and enjoy hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels, picturesque sceneries and cool campsites. From its easy accessibility from Bangkok, it’s one of Thailand’s most sought after natural areas. Visitors visit Wang Nam Khiao for its photogenic scenery and fresh air. It is home to one of Thailand’s most beautiful temples: the fabulous Wat Ban Rai in Khun Thot District. The temple is adorned with colorful and imaginative artwork and the elephant resembling temple sits on its own tiny manmade island.
14. Pattaya
Pattaya has gained its notoriety for its infamous Walking Street and many go-go bars and named itself the “City of Sin”. But this place has a huge variety of fun things to do without stepping foot in the more adult-oriented areas and that’s why all types of tourists come to this place. Its nice beach attracts tourists most. Here you can enjoy sunbathing and snorkeling. The vast sanctuary of truth, made of wood is a mesmerizing sight for the visitors. You can visit the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden and go through the well-ordered flower beds, statues, and water features and can try locally made wines at the pretty Silverlake Vineyard. Go to Thailand’s major landmarks at Mini Siam and enjoy at Art in Paradise, shop at Pattaya Floating Market, have your mind blown at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and go into a winterywonderland at FROST Magical Ice of Siam.
15. Similan Islands
If you want to visit the most beautiful island of Thailand, The Similan Islands should be your prime destination. For the best experience of scuba diving and snorkeling, visitors come here. The water here is full of wonderful marine life and underwater features. Diving enthusiasts come here and spend several days here to experience underwater enjoyment. Fishing is very much popular here. The islands here are magnificent with deep forests, excellent rock formation, andphotogenic white, sandy beaches.
16. Koh Chang
Koh Chang, also known as Elephant Island, consists of jungle-covered peaks, cascading waterfalls, lots of wildlife, high mountains, and nice sandy beaches. In spite of the increasing number of tourists, this island preserves its remote and rugged spirit. Some of the best beaches here are Hat Khlong Phrao, Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, and Kai Bae Beach. Enjoy a boat ride to nearby islands of Koh Kut and Koh Mak. Traditional Thai massage can be a good method to loosen up and you should try it. Here you can satisfy your hunger with mouth-watering fresh seafood. There are high-class glamour resorts, beach bungalows and backpackers’ dorms where everybody can find their ideal accommodation.
17. Khao Sok National Park:
It is considered by many people as one of Thailand’s most beautiful wildlife reserve. This place is located in the Surat Thani province of Southern Thailand and here you will see dense forests, limestone karsts, rivers, and lakes. In the reserve, there are some of the most amazing wild lives of Thailand such as Asian elephants, barking deer, wild boar, Malayan tapirs, bears, pig-tailed macaques, various types of monkeys like gibbons and langurs. There are some trails in the park through which visitors can enjoy trekking and spot wildlife, photograph waterfalls, swim in the natural reservoirand appreciate wonderful vistas from elevated viewpoints.
18. Koh Tao
Situated in the northernmost part of the Chumphon Archipelago/ Surat Thani Islands, Koh Tao is extensively known as the diver’s heaven. This home of wonderful marine life is the cheapest place on earth to get a scuba diving license. Hire a quad bike to travel around the island, know how to scuba dive or just chill on the beach. There are a lot of “overwater” travel-worthy places as well. Koh Nang Yuan and some hilltop on the main island provide wonderful views overlooking white sand beaches and the glittering sea.
19. Hua Hin
If you want to enjoy a beach near Bangkok then Hua Hin can be your first choice. Well-known for its more relaxed seaside vibe this place has a lot of things to do. Vast Hua Hin beach, scenic overlooks and theme parks like Santorini Park, Vana Nava Waterpark and the Venezia are the key attractions of this place. You can discover the Phraya Nakhon Cave at Kho Sam Roi Yot National Park. At night markets you can satisfy your hunger with fresh Thai seafood at a low cost. Find different heritage sites here and try the wine at Hua Hin Hills Vineyard.
20. Ko Phi Phi
Ko Phi Phi offers the visitors to swim it its calm and quiet water, sunbathe on its white sand beaches or dive into the sea to watch colorful sea life. Located 38 km southwest of Krabi, it is one of the prime destinations for beach lovers. For its enthralling nightlife visitors come here and flood the beach after sunset. You can learn or do snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. Phi Phi is actually a group of islands and among the islands, Ko Phi Phi Don is the most popular and always populous with locals and tourists. Wonderful coral reefs and photogenic beaches are the key attractions of this island.
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