Beyond the Lanna Culture

Beyond the cities where you truly experience Lanna culture and heritage, the North offers some of the most picturesque scenery in the whole kingdom. The upper north is an ideal base for visiting ethnic tribes, soft adventure activities including trekking, elephant-back riding, and rafting. The lower north is essential for all those wishing to discover more about the history and culture of Thailand. Popular destinations are the cities of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Sukhothai, a former capital of the Thai Kingdom and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chiang Mai – The Gateway to the Mountainous North

Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as a capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai offers a perfect blend of history, with centuries-old temples next to the boutique hotels and colorful night markets. Located 435 miles north of Bangkok and conveniently accessed by both air and rail services, Chiang Mai always has something to discover. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia's most attractive destinations.

The city of Chiang Mai, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Ping River, is a treasure trove of ancient temples, fascinating for their distinctive Lanna architectural style and rich decorative detail. On the outskirts of the city is the famed hilltop temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. At 3,520 feet above sea level, it is the most famous and most visible landmark with vibrant view of the city and surrounding countryside.

Trekking in the hills of the North is one of Chiang Mai’s most popular tourism activities. Popular jungle treks last from 2 to 7 days and take trekkers through forested mountains and high valleys and meadows, as well as visits to more remote high altitude hilltribe settlements for overnight stays. Treks commonly feature travel by foot, sometimes by boat, elephant-back, or horse-back. For those who wish to hike to the highest peak of Thailand which rises to 8,415 feet above sea level, Doi Inthanon National Park is a must. And if you would like to learn more of elephant and mahout relationships, visit Elephant Conservation Center at the nearby province of Lampang.

Visit Chiang Mai during Songkran Festival or Thai New year (April 13-15) and Yi Peng Festival or Lantern Festival coinciding with the Loi Krathong Festival on the full-moon night of the 12th lunar month will enhance your cultural experiences. Songkran festival features the Buddha ritual bathing and water splashing while the Yi Peng festival features the release of the lanterns into the sky to worship the gods.

For shopping lovers, Chiang Mai is famous for its wealth of quality handicraft, both traditional and modern, hilltribe handicrafts and antiques. Shopping routes include San Kamphaeng for cotton and silk products, Bo Sang village for umbrellas, Wua Lai Road for silverware and Ban Thawai village for furniture and woodcarving products. For fast and fun shopping, visit the Chiang Mai night bazaar.

Chiang Rai – A Popular Escape

Located 488 miles north of Bangkok, Chiang Rai is Thailand’s northernmost province. A trip to Chiang Rai would not be complete without seeing the Golden Triangle. This famed border location where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong River was once supposed to be the center of the poppy cultivation in Thailand. An hour boat trip is the best way to view the scenery of the Golden Triangle. You can further enjoy a visit to the Hall of Opium at the Golden Triangle Park featuring the 60,000 square feet of multimedia exhibits on the history of opium.

If you love white water rafting, Chiang Rai is one of the oldest rafting destinations in the country and continues to draw adventure seekers from all over the globe. Bamboo rafts and inflatable boats are available for the journey down the Mae Kok River.

Horse-riding and trekking are also popular and are among the major attractions at Doi Mae Salong. Scattered with many hilltribe villages along the rugged mountain, the area is ideal for trekking. The mountainside plantations of coffee, tea and fruit orchards provide scenic variety, especially picturesque in December and January when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Sukhothai – The Glory of the Past

Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai, which means “Dawn of Happiness”, was the first kingdom of the Thais. Today, the extensive ruins of Sukhothai, as well as those of its nearby satellite town, Si Satchanalai, are preserved in well-kept historical parks that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Located on the lower edge of the northern region with the provincial capital situated some 280 miles north of Bangkok, Sukhothai is the most significant legacy.

Biking tour is the best way to get a glimpse of the glorious past. At Sukhothai Historical Park, ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals and the water dyke control system, are well preserved, with major restoration by the Fine Arts Department in cooperation with UNESCO. Si Satchanalai Historical Park, 35 miles to the north, is a smaller, though nonetheless impressive site, where a cluster of ruined temples are attractively backed by wooden hills.

Visit Sukhothai in November for its famous Loi Krathong Festival. As night falls, the country’s waterways are illuminated by tiny floats filled with flowers, incense and a candle. This tribute to the Water Goddess takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. While this is a nationwide festival, the most unforgettable place to catch it is in the atmospheric ruins of the Sukhothai Historical Park, where it originated many centuries ago.