I Wander

Travel Blog, Itineraries & Guides, Hotel Reviews

Thailand

The Easy-to-Follow Itinerary for Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai (Northern Thailand Travel Guide)

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They say you haven’t really done Thailand until you’ve checked out the highland scenery and distinctive Lanna culture of the north. With its laidback lifestyle, impressive (and unique) architecture and cooler climes (in December and January), the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have long delighted local tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. In terms of international travelers, the region has also attracted a significant number although still way below the likes of Phuket or Krabi. That is starting to change. With increasing international flights to Chiang Mai International Airport, the gateway of the north, plenty of international travelers who have already done Bangkok in the past venture to the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for something different.

This itinerary aims to show how you can do Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the main cities of Northern Thailand, in as little as 3 or 4 days – essentially the weekend plus 1 or 2 extra weekdays. 

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The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary For Bangkok (Updated 2020 Travel Guide)

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As one of Asia’s best value and most popular destinations, Bangkok offers a plethora of things to see and do. Filled with many spectacular Buddhist temples and ornate buildings, the city is at once exotic and at the same time modern with all the creature comforts that one can imagine. Bangkok is also known as a shopping haven, with mass consumerism juxtaposing against a strong market culture. The city’s streets are always buzzing and teeming with life.

I have been to Bangkok quite a few times and always enjoy coming here for the unbeatable value, delicious Thai food and fascinating things to see in the city’s streets. Whether you’re a first-timer, a regular or even a shopaholic, here are some of my itinerary suggestions on a 2-day trip to Bangkok. I’ve made the duration 2 days to make it easy to execute during weekends. For some other ideas, you can also check out this Bangkok travel guide.

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Things to Do in Chiang Rai – Why You Should Visit Thailand’s Northernmost City

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Chiang Rai. Often playing second fiddle to its more vibrant neighbors down south, the city of Chiang Rai is perhaps well-known to most as a pitstop for an attraction or two or as a gateway to some national parks in Northern Thailand. I visited this city recently as a weekend trip and found it a worthwhile destination in its own right, with plenty of attractions to keep one busy especially with a duration of just two days. Here are my suggestions of places you can visit in this city:

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Ayutthaya Vs. Sukhothai – A Comparison of Two Ancient Ruins in Thailand

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Ayutthaya or Sukhothai? I had the same question myself when I was planning my past trip to Thailand. These two ancient Thai cities, remnants of former capitals, are about 350 kilometers apart. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are said to be must-sees in Thailand especially if you like ancient Buddhist temple ruins. If you have time for only one, as I had during my earlier trip to Thailand, which one should you choose? Here are some comparative points to to help you decide.

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Day Trip to Phetchaburi From Bangkok – Of Summer Palaces & Spectacular Caves

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Just slightly over 2 hours drive from Bangkok, the coastal province of Phetchaburi makes for an underrated day trip from the Thai capital. Its location, by the northern end of the Malay peninsula and facing the Gulf of Thailand, gives visitors the best of both worlds. It is as easy to find a nice beach for swimming or a jungle canopy to hike through as it is to marvel at centuries-old hilltop palaces and impressive temple ruins. Its capital, which also goes by the name Phetchaburi, doesn’t have a shortage of impressive buildings that belie its small population.

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Nan, Thailand – Sleepy Town in the Thai Far North

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I had stumbled upon Nan, in Thailand’s far north upon the recommendation of a traveler I had met when I was in Chiang Mai. Supposedly steeped in tradition, with national parks such as Doi Phu Kha at its doorstep and opened up from isolation fairly recently, I was quite keen to explore a slice of this heavily touristed country that had not yet been trampled by mass tourism.

From Bangkok, my flight arrived in Nan on a crisp Saturday morning. For a town of less than 20,000 inhabitants, I was taken aback by the airport terminal which seemed too modern for a town supposedly steeped in traditional ways.

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Phrae – Thailand’s Hidden Gem

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Wandering through the streets of Phrae in Northern Thailand, I could not help but get a sense of deja vu as I surveyed the walled old town and the many photogenic temples, teakwood mansions and museums dotting the enclosure. My guidebook described Phrae as having similarities to Luangprabang in Laos and surveying the sights around me, I’m inclined to agree. Phrae to most is a rather unknown place, even for Thais as its namesake province only came into Thailand’s (then known as Siam) control around a century ago and its relative “isolation” is part of the charm.

the unusual structure of wat chom sawan

With a population of slightly less than 20,000, Phrae is a rather quiet town with its tourist attractions concentrated mainly inside the walled city. I had visited during a weekend but found other tourists sparse, local weekenders included. After getting off the bus from my 2 hour journey from Nan, I immediately walked towards Wat Chom Sawan which is just a few blocks away. I was struck by the unusual architecture of the main prayer hall. departing from the Lanna style that I see all over these parts. Most guidebooks describe the style of Wat Chom Sawan as Burmese, but having visited Burma a couple of times before, I really could not see the similarity. The temple is noted for the heavy use of wood and multi-tiered roofs, a style which is pretty unusual for Thai temples.

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Ubon Ratchathani – An Underrated Thai City You Would Never Have Heard Before

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I arrived at the almost deserted Ubon Ratchathani International Airport on a steamy morning, spotting just two other foreigners on my flight. The “international” in the name is a bit misleading – there is no other route besides the ones to Bangkok and the terminal looks like any provincial airport terminal in the country with a generic boarding gate. Located at the eastern part of the Isaan region, this is the first place that gets to see the sunrise in Thailand. Its namesake province is the easternmost that one can get to where Thailand’s concerned and the local culture bears some resemblance to Laos which is just across the border.

In between my sojourns to Champasak in Laos, I spent a bit of time in Ubon Ratchathani. While coming here certainly doesn’t normally count among Thailand must-dos, I found it to be a pleasant enough town, with interesting temples to please even the most templed out traveler. Here are some of those I managed to visit during my short time there.

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