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The North - Overview
 Forest
covered hills stretching to the horizon, steep valleys, breathtaking views and
a different cultural personality characterise northern Thailand.
The hills
which stretch into Burma to the West and Laos to the east, form no boundaries
for the ethnic hilltribes who live in small villages scattered across the ridges
and valleys. Much the area has now been designated into national park with a logging
ban and wildlife sanctuaries to preserve the rich diversity of wildlife including
elephants, tigers, exotic birds and brilliant orchids. The area offers excellent
opportunities for trekking and exploring from the back of an elephant, rafting
along rivers, or sightseeing on a mountain bike. The northern region is
also rich in history and culture. Chiang
Mai, Chiang
Rai, and further
south in the northern plains Sukhothai, were all once thriving capital
cities, leaving a unique legacy of temples, palaces, festivals and traditions.
Culturally the north reflects the close proximity and influence of Burma, Laos,
and the hilltribes in addition to the northern Lanna Thai characteristics in architecture,
food, handicrafts, language and customs. The most developed tourism is around
the far north which has better accommodation and facilities catering to overseas
visitors. The western hills of Tak province on the border with Burma,
once the haunt of communist insurgents and Burmese factions in the 1980s are now
providing a haven for visitors interested in birdwatching and enjoying nature.
Most of the organized treks include visits to hill tribe communities and often,
overnight stays in their villages. Activities include hiking, whitewater and bamboo
rafting and elephant treks; although the real attraction is the impressive landscape.
If you prefer 'less strenuous" trekking some 'soft' adventures are designed
so that you don't have to be an athlete to take part. For the more adventurous,
further south, around Nan, a more wild area is beginning to open up to
visitors. Located on the border with Laos, Nan offers nature treks and tours up
to 3 or 4 days which include whitewater rafting, elephant trekking and visits
to the more remote hilltribe areas. Tourism is less developed so accommodation
is more rustic and plain, with fewer facilities for western guests. Chiang
Mai
Thailand's
second largest city, Chiang Mai has preserved its unique heritage with temples,
sculptures, architecture and the old city walls the legacy of its past. Founded
in 1296, the city flourished as a major religious, cultural and trading centre
until the Burmese invaded in 1556. After the expulsion of the Burmese in 1785,
the Lanna Thai kingdom again became an integral part of Thailand, and has continued
to evolve into a modern city with a unique character. Chiang Mai is a great base
for exploring, sightseeing and adventure travel in the northern region. Tourism
facilities are well developed and accommodation ranges from small guesthouses
to deluxe resorts. Where
to Stay? Shopping, business, or pleasure? Check out our location guide.
Where to
Go? See our suggestions.. Chiang
Rai
 Much
smaller and quieter than Chiang Mai, this provincial town close to the Golden
Triangle (where the borders of Myanmar (Burma) Thailand and Laos meet) makes a
good base for river adventures, elephant trekking and hiking to some of the more
remote areas. There's a smaller "night bazaar" similar to Chiang Mai
selling hilltribe cloth, handicrafts and jewellry, and a few low key entertainment
areas. Accommodation varies from comfortable guesthouses to upmarket resorts on
the outlying hills. Attractions include stunning mountain scenery around
Mae Sai, Doi Salong and west along the Burmese border. Hilltribes, especially
the Akha live around this area.
Where
to Stay? Shopping, business, or pleasure? Check out our location guide.
Where to
Go? See our suggestions... The
Northern Plains - Sukothai
 South
of Chiang Mai is an area known as the northern plains (flatter than the far north
but actually containing hills and forests) and location of the ancient city of
Sukhothai.
Founded in the 13th century, and once the capital of the Kingdom,
old Sukhothai is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a good place to spend a
few days on a bicycle, exploring the elegant old ruins of royal palaces, temples,
and city walls. New Sukhothai, 10 kilometres or so to the east, has plenty of
accommodation, with a few bars and restaurants to keep you occupied after dark.
What to do in the day - Must see the old city site, Sukhothai Historical
Park, laid out in large square gardens, with ponds and moats. Take your camera.
You can hire a bike when you get there to speed your trips between the main attractions.
Each of the five zones within the old city walls charges a separate admission
fee. The area around Sukhothai also contains other sites worth visiting. The old
town of Si Satchanalai was one of the most important satellite towns of the Sukhothai
Kingdom and the ruins of the Si Satchanalai-Chalieng Historical Park lie
on the bank of the Yom River, north of Sukhothai. It is considered by many as
the pinnacle of Thai city planning, with temple complexes at the heart, surrounded
by city walls, river, and forest. The Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation
Centre 4 km north of Si Satchanalai contains more than 500 oval-shaped kilns and
Celadon ceramics excavated in perfect condition. Opened in 1984, the Sawan Woranayok
National Museum features sculptures and crockery from various periods. The Si
Satchanalai National Park has high jungle covered mountains, waterfalls, a hot
spring, Khangkhao Cave and the Thara Wasan Cave. Mae
Hon Son & Pai
Mae
Hon Son - Sheltered by high mountains with a cool climate almost year round,
this northern provincial capital was once a sleepy "frontier' town until
a few years ago. Bordered by Burma to the north and west, the town was isolated
from the outside world and as late as the 1970’s could only be accessed by
plane if bad weather made the roads impassable. Now, with good roads, the town
is on the tourist trail, attracted by the views, the morning mists and the town's
former "wild west" reputation. Mae Hon Son now has luxury hotels and
excellent roads making it part of the tourist excursion trail. But don't be put
off, the scenery is worth it. Pai
West of Mae Hong Son (around
100 kilometres) is the small town of Pai. Close by, the river Pai - one of the
longest in the region, offers some great adventure and rafting opportunities.
The length of the river and the changes in water levels provide a rafting enthusiasts
with a challenge and a chance to get close to nature. Some local tour companies
offer combined river adventures from Mae Hong Son to the Burmese-Thai border.
Cruising by local longtail boat, rafting for 2-3 hours then returning by elephant.
Check with Pai and Mae Hon Son local travel agents. The best time for rafting
is between October and March. Information can be obtained from officials at the
Pai District Office. Mae Sariang is a local village which
hosts a annual sunflower festival. Every November, the hillsides near Khun Yuam
are filled with golden Bua Tong flowers which resemble sunflowers, and blossom
for only 15 days. Doi Mae U-Kor (Mae U-Kor Mountain) and the area close to Khun
Yuam are the largest and most colourful areas. Great photo opportunities. (See
festivals for details)
How to Get There
By air
From Bangkok - 1.25 hrs.
Thai International flies daily to Chiang Mai. By
road
From Bangkok. A long drive - about 12+ hours. Better to break
your journey halfway. You can also take an overnight or day coaches from the northern
Bus Terminal in Bangkok. The journey takes about 12 hours. When
to Visit
The most popular time of year to visit the north is between November and April
(high season) as the weather is generally comfortable (a little colder in the
high mountainous colder parts bordering Myanmar (Burma) As you would expect temperatures
fall at night, especially in the mountain areas, so pack some warm clothes if
you're planning to go trekking. While this is best time, be aware that accommodation,
especially during the holiday periods over Christmas and Chinese New Year can
be difficult to find as this is high season. The hot season, from
March to May is very dry, which and in some places, makes navigating rivers more
difficult and rafting less challenging. The rainy season, generally from
June to September is for many people the best time to travel - despite the fact
that it rains, it never gets that cold, and most hotels and guesthouses have rooms
available - often at better prices than during the high season. |
