Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่):
Province, some 700 km north of
Bangkok, popularly known as the Rose of the North, is a fascinating
example of merging the city's 700-year tradition with modern development.
Visitors can find handicrafts of silk, silver and other jewels, umbrellas and wood produced locally as
timeless souvenirs. Since a few years one can find as well masterpieces of Thai contemporary art. Just 20
minutes out of the city the legendary Doi Suthep is located on a mountain, a famous Buddhist site not to be
missed.
The province is mountainous and Thailand's highest peak
Doi Inthanon (2575m) can be found here.
Hill tribes of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai's distinctive diversity. From the end of the 70s of the last
century, mainly backpackers started to discover the beauty of the city and the province of Chiang Mai. Still
today backpackers can find low-priced
accommodation, however, luxury tourists won't miss anything since the
opening of the first 5* Star hotels in and around the city.
Chiang Rai (เชียงราย):
Chiang Rai, some 785 kilometers away from
Bangkok is the northernmost province of Thailand.
Scenic dense mountains, river valleys, hot springs, waterfalls, ancient settlements and historical
sites,
hill tribe villages such as
Karen,
Akha,
Lisu,
Meo and Muser, all can be found in
Chiang Rai. Once the province became famous because of the renowned "
Golden Triangle" where
Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge at the banks of the Maekong River. During the past years
it became the gateway to Myanmar, Laos and Southern China.
The northernmost town of Thailand,
Mae Sai on the Ruak River is the border to Myanmar.
Rich in
tourist attractions Chiang Rai remains until today a heaven for people looking for a rather
laid holiday close to nature. Of course trekking is a highlight in one of the many
National Parks
and roads are perfect for bikers.
The city of Chiang Rai was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom
but soon was conquered by Burmese and only belongs to Thailand since the 18th century. The city's
most honored temple is
Wat Phra
Keo.
Kamphaeng Phet (กำแพงเพชร):
Province, located in the lower north on the
Bangkok -
Chiang Mai highway. To its east are Ping River flatlands while
the western areas are made up of high mountains lush with fertile
forests where a number of
national parks have been established.
Smaller and calmer than
Sukothai,
Kamphaeng Pet Histirical Park is a Unesco Heritage site since 1991 and home to many well protected ruins
from the Sukothai period.
Lampang (ลำปาง):
Province is famous for his many monasteries and
temples built in Burmese and traditional Lanna Thai style architectures
and the wellknown one is
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. The symbol of the
town are the horse-drawn carriages and known all over the world, is the Thai
Elephant Conservation Center.
Less well-known tourist
attractions in Lampang are the
Wang Kaeo Waterfall
and the
Chae Son National Park, a compact yet charming park which
combine a natural hot springs with large waterfalls. Due to its
relatively dry climate winter can be cooler here than in other areas of
northern Thailand.
Lamphun (ลำพูน):
Lamphun is just 26 km away from
Chiang Mai
with an enchanting ambience of an old community. It hosts one of the
north's most important temples,
Wat Phra That Haripunchai. It is
believed that in its chedi (stupa) one original hair of Lord Buddha was
enshrined, dated to be in 897, probably the founding date of the Wat.
Lamphun is
the most famous producer of Longans and a Longan
Festival
(งานเทศกาลลำไย) is held each year in August to promote this hugely
popular product. There are the beautifully decorated Longan parades and
Longan contests.
Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน):
Mae Hong Son, is a northern province bordering Burma and is one of the remotest
provinces in Thailand. High mountains and deep valleys with no roads
protected tiny villages until recently from the outside world. A few
years ago roads have been built and there are even flights now to Mae
Hong Son's tiny
airport.Today, Mae Hong Son is one of the dream
destinations for visitors looking for peace and nature. Tourists are
attracted to the area due to its breathtaking sceneries, pristine
virgin forests, spectacular mountains, lush valleys, waterfalls and
caves, indigenous wildlife and unique
hilltribes. The province offers
unspoiled charm and soft adventure opportunities like
trekking
and
rafting.
Mae Hong Son is home to some beautiful temples built in traditional Burmese
architecture, unusual outside of Burma.
Pai district has now evolved as Thailand 'hippiest' hang-out and
during the dry season, young Bangkokians flock to Pai village.
Nakhon Sawan (นครสวรรค์):
The city of Nakhon Sawan is located about
260 km north of
Bangkok. On the way to
Chiang Mai, you pass the city.
There is a good highway to Nakhon Sawan, and by car you can reach the
city in about 4 hours. By train is also very comfortable, it takes about
5 hours to get there.
The province, also known as "Pak Nam Pho" is where
the rivers of Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan converge and form the Chao Phraya
River, the most important waterway of Thailand. It was named, according
to the site, "Muang Chon Ta Wan". It is surmised Nakhon Sawan was built
in the Sukhothai period.
Nan (น่าน):
Nan about 668 kilometers north-east of
Bangkok, is a
rather relaxed little town in the remote valley of the Nan River in
Northern Thailand. The area is still covered with dense jungle but
arable land is used for agriculture. It is an ancient city steeped in
history with its long association with both, Lanna-Thai and Sukhothai
kingdoms.
The people of Nan descend from the Lan Changs
(Laotians). Their ancestors moved to settle around present-day Pua
district which is rich in rock salt deposits, about 700 years ago at the
time when Sukhothai was becoming the kingdom of the Thais. They
subsequently moved south to the fertile Nan River basin which is much
more extensive.
Nan's
history is deeply involved with its neighbors, in particular
Sukhothai
which played an important role in both political and religious terms
before Nan became a part of Lanna, then Burma and now Thailand. Today
Nan is still the home of numerous
Thai Lue (ไทยลื้อ) and other hill
tribes who retain highly interesting customs and traditions.
Phayao (พะเยา):
Phayao, about 691 kilometers from
Bangkok is a peaceful province
completely surrounded by mountains and as a result it has many beautiful
and remote small valleys fascinating religions and
ethnic sites.
Dating back more than 900 years, it used to be an
independent state with its own rulers before it became a part of the Lanna Thai kingdom in mid-14th century.
Phayao town is located on the banks of Phayao Lake in the valley of the Ing
River. Three big mountains surround the valley, Doi Luang (1697m), Doi
Khun Mae Fat (1550m) and Doi Khun Mae Tam (1330m).
Phrae (แพร่):
Phrae, some 550 kilometers from
Bangkok is an old and
important community of Northern Thailand. Phrae was founded after
Chiang
Mai had been established as the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom.
With
one of the largest reserves of teak forests in the country, it is
located on the banks of the Yom River.
Phrae is surrounded on all
sides by mountains with level plains in the middle.
Phetchabun (เพชรบรูณ์):
Due to the huge Pa Sak river basin with mountain ranges
running along both the western and eastern sides of the province,
Phetchabun has always been famous for it's fertility of the land, it is
an agriculturally highly productive area. The name of the province
actually means "The land of crops and foods".
Due
to the natural beauty, mountainous forests and
national parks, the
province has high potential for tourism.
Nam Nao National Park
is one of Thailand's most beautiful ones. The ancient City of Petchabun has a long history
and one of the highlight to visit is
Wat Mahatat, the City Pillar Shrine
and
Wat Trai Phum.
Si Thep Historical Park
Si Thep is an ancient town where many architectural structures still remain to indicate
its past prosperity during the 11th - 18th Buddhist centuries. Over one hundred ancient
sites, all built with bricks and laterite, most of them have since crumbled. There are also
remains of several ponds spread out all over the area.
Phichit (พิจิตร):
Province is situated in the lower North region of
Thailand, accessible by both road and rail. Nurtured by two rivers, the
Yom and the Nan running parallel to one another north to south, the land
is agriculturally fertile with green valleys and picturesque wooded
hills. It is the home of
traditional boat racing competitions which
became now an inter-provincial boat race taking place on every first
Saturday and Sunday of September, at Nan River in front of
Wat Tha Luang. The main features of the
festival are boat races,
boat processions, and beauty contests which are exciting, joyful and
colorful events.
Phichit
is known as well as the land of the crocodiles, it has been home long
time to the wild reptiles which thrived and prospered in its waters.
Nowadays several fresh-water crocodile farms can be visited.
Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก):
Phitsanulok, is a city in the lower part of
Northern Thailand is rich in historical, cultural and natural
attractions,
featuring mountains, plains and forest. The Nan River, lifeline of the
province runs through the heart of the city.
Most of Phitsanulok's
province is flat, but one third of the area, the north and east is
covered by mountain ranges. For nature seekers natural beauty,
waterfalls, and National Parks make a trip to Phitsanulok worthwhile.
Furthermore,
Phitsanulok is one of the main area of the historical sites, it even served
as the capital for about 25 years in the 15th century. There are remains of an
ancient community dating back between 2,000 - 4,000 years, an old stone
ax had been found here. In addition, the old temple of Wat Chula Mani,
located 5 kilometers south of the city, was built even before the
Sukhothai Kingdom came into power.
Tak (ตาก):
Province, some 430 km northwest of
Bangkok, is a place with long history.
Mostly
forested and mountainous, natural wonders are magnificently matching
ethnic diversity. Thailand's highest waterfalls can be visited here,
Namtok Thi Lo Su and Namtok Thi Lo Re. Those who favor whitewater rafting
must come to visit this area.
Tak
province is furthermore an environmental and cultural center with
magnificent forests, spectacular waterfalls and caves, fascinating
hill
tribes such as
Karen,
Lisu,
Lahu,
Akha,
Yao and
Hmong.
The town of Tak
is peacefully located on the Mae Ping basin.
Besides natural beauty,
Tak province is famous for its agricultural products, both flowers and
fruits. Its large Thapthim fruit (pomegranate) is now very popular.
Uthai Thani (อุทัยธานี):
Located in the lower part of northern Thailand. Most of the province
consists of forests and high mountains. There are several
tourist
attractions and places of interest well shown and protected because
the area is away from the main highway and only few visitors make the
trip to this interesting province.
Rich in natural resources, such as forests and wildlife, "
Huai Kha Khaeng
Wildlife Reserve" was proclaimed a Natural World Heritage Site.
Visitors can discover different lifestyles of the local people, join the
rafts on Sakae Krang River, a waterway that aided the birth of the
province and which has been a lifeline for its people since ancient
times. It is also where provincial trading has flourished. Life
revolving around the river eventually grew from a community into the
major province that it is today.
Uttaradit (อุตรดิตถ์):
Uttaradit is a province in the lower north of
Thailand. It has a long history even since pre-historic time. The
site of the original town of Uttradit, formally called Bang Pho Tha, was located on the right bank of the Nan River.
It flourished as a port for goods
transportation. As a result, King Rama V elevated its status into a
province and re-named it Uttradit, literally the "Port of the North".
Most of the province was once covered with teak forests, then the major
product of Uttaradit. The largest Teak tree in the world is found at the
Ton Sak Yai Park. The 1500 year old tree measures 9.87 meter in
circumference and 37 meter in height - originally it was 48.5 m high, but
it was damaged in a storm. Three National Parks are located in the
province - Klong Tron, Lam Nam Nan and Phu Soi Dao.
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