Thailand is the Southeast Asian country where we spent the most time during our travels. Almost two full months in total! We toured it from north to south, especially during our hitchhiking adventure (read more about that here). We visited the more touristy towns and villages, and the more undiscovered and less touristy areas and zones, especially in Northern Thailand.
Thailand is a country with so much to offer, with lush mountains and remote villages in the north, its wonderful cities full of Buddhist temples, incredible moped rides, and it’s beautiful islands in the south. The local people made us feel at home, welcoming us with their warm smiles and delicious pad thai.
Our fondest memories of Thailand are in the north, often sacrificed to enjoy the beautiful southern islands. For this reason, we have prepared unforgettable, must-see experiences and places in northern Thailand for you!
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Getting to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand, and the starting point for visiting all the places in this article. Once you get to Chiang Mai you can plan how and when you want to visit everywhere features on our list.
1. In and around Chiang Mai
Time: Visit the city 2-3 days, visit the surrounding area 3-7 days
Chiang Mai is the largest city in the northern part of Thailand. With a wide range of options to suit different tastes, the city offers rich historical sites and Buddhist temples, breathtaking natural landscapes in its surroundings, as well as cafes and restaurants with strong Wifi. In addition, Chiang Mai hosts lively festivals and a plethora of other attractions to explore.
How to get to Chiang Mai
The easiest way to reach Chiang Mai is from the capital Bangkok. Trains and buses from Bangkok reach Chiang Mai several times a day. Train tickets can be purchased for as little as 7 euros, but the journey takes 12-13 hours and can sometimes be uncomfortable. Our advice is to take an sleeper train or an sleeper bus, which can be booked for 15-25 euro. These leave in the afternoon and arrive in Chiang Mai early in the morning.
Thailand is a very touristy destination and you risk running out of tickets if you don’t book in time (it happened to us!). We recommend booking your ticket in advance with 12go.asia. On the site you will find all available buses and trains to buy online for a small surcharge, and it is really convenient.
Note: Travel insurance is a must for any travel abroad, especially in South-East Asia. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
For the complete guide to where to stay and eat in Chiang Mai, what to visit, activities to do, and beautiful excursions around Chiang Mai, such as Doi Inthanon National Park, check out our full article on Chiang Mai!
2. Pai
Time: 3 days
Pai is a very small and pretty town tucked away in the remote northern mountains of Thailand. Pai offers not only the most picturesque nature, with its verdant rice fields, hills, waterfalls and canyons, but also an energetic and vibrant atmosphere. Pai has a vibrant social network, meditation and yoga classes, ecstatic dances and many incredible people, both expatriates and locals, who create a great sense of community.
How to get to Pai
To reach Pai, you have to go to Chiang Mai Bus Station number 2, which is easily accessible by public transport, or tuk tuk/taxi. Tickets cost about 6 euros. We recommend booking online to avoid disappointment (the route is popular and tickets sell out quickly). Tickets can be purchased here on 12go Asia.
For the complete guide to where to stay and eat in Pai, what to visit and activities to do, check out our full article on Pai!
3. Wat Pa Tam Wua monastery, Buddhist meditation retreat
Time: 2 to 10 days
The Wat Tam Wua monastery retreat is a unique and intense experience. It is an enchanting immersion in nature and spirituality. It is an approach to meditation and Buddhist philosophy. It is knowing oneself in depth and having the courage to be with oneself. If you are interested in meditation and Buddhist culture, this is the experience for you!
At the monastery you will learn Vipassana meditation, taught in India by Gotama the Buddha more than 2500 years ago.
How to get to the monastery
From Pai, 2 yellow tuk tuks depart daily from the junction near the bus station, one at 7am and one at 11am (show up half an hour beforehand to secure your place), with no booking required. The cost is THB 120, which is about 3 euros. Have a look at our map at the beginning of the article for the exact location of the bus departure!
Read our full guide and personal experience at Wat Tam Wua Monastery if you want to know more about how to get to the monastery, what to expect and how the activities inside are divided up!
4. The Mae Hong Son motorbike loop
Time: 4 to 7 days
The Mae Hong Son motorbike loop in northern Thailand is an itinerary not to be missed. Starting in Chiang Mai, the country’s bustling northern capital, it takes you through the breathtaking roads and landscapes of Mae Hong Son Province. With stunning mountain views, huge caves and remote villages, this two-wheeled adventure is the best way to explore this lonely and often unvisited part of the country.
Where to start
The start of the Mae Hong Son loop is from the city of Chiang Mai. There are dozens of scooter rental shops in Chiang Mai, offering everything from 125 cc automatic scooters to touring bikes and 4×4 vehicles. The going rate for a 125cc scooter is between 200-300 Thai baht per day, or 5-8 euro.
For detailed information on all possible variations of the Mae Hong Son Loop and the must-sees within the loop, check out our comprehensive guide here!
Safety, concerns and useful information
- The best time to go to northern Thailand is the cool season in the north, which runs from November to January.
- Travel insurance is a must for those travelling abroad, especially in South-East Asia. Even if you rarely have problems, it is better to be covered in case they occur. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
- When spending money abroad we use the WISE international debit card. You can withdraw up to 200 euros in cash per month free of charge. After that, you only pay a very low withdrawal fee.
- Be sure to book accommodation and buses to popular destinations, such as Pai, in advance because they fill up fast.
What to do next
If you are on a touring trip in South East Asia and find yourself in northern Thailand, the best way to continue your journey is to cross the border into Laos by slow boat, and continue exploring this wonderful country!
If you have any suggestions or comments, don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment!
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