Travel Stories

Chiang Mai

One of the best things to do in Thailand is to visit one or more of the hundreds of temples in and around Chiang Mai. Do not miss Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – one of the most beautiful temples in the area! I climbed the stairs to the top (there is also a tram) and the panoramic views of the city and the surrounding area were stunning.

Other temples I really enjoyed and would recommend in or near Chiang Mai include Wat Chiang Man (the oldest temple in the city which houses the Crystal Buddha), Wat Sri Suphan (the Silver Temple), Wat Pan Tao (wooden temple), Wat Suan Dok (notable for its golden stupa and its bronze Buddha), as well as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

The famous and stunning Wat Rong Khun (also known as White Temple) located near Chiang Rai is actually an art exhibit built in the 1990s in the style of a Buddhist temple. The inside of the White Temple is full of quirky images with an eclectic mix of Buddhist icons and pop culture images.

Ayutthaya

The Historic City of Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom until the 18th century when it was destroyed by the Burmese army. The archaeological ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. The towers, temples, palaces, statues, and monasteries give an idea of the city’s past size and splendor.

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park is one of largest and most visited national parks in Thailand located only three hours driving distance from Bangkok.

Khao Yai is part of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hikers can explore the forests and grasslands, mountains, waterfalls, and view wildlife, including gibbons, bears, elephants, deer, macaques, as well as over hundreds of species of birds.

Phang Nga Bay

Last but not least, no trip to Thailand would be complete without a visit to one of its many gorgeous beaches and islands! With sheer limestone cliffs that appear vertically out of the emerald green water, Phang Nga Bay is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. The bay houses a group of more than 40 small islands that come straight out of the sea, but there are also caves, mangroves, and lagoons. Two highlights of Phang Nga Bay include Ko Panyi (also known as Koh Panyee, a stilt fishing village) and James Bond Island (a needle formed limestone rock in the sea featured in the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun).

I took a boat trip from Phuket, which is the best way to see Phang Nga Bay. Fortunately, there is never a bad season to visit Phang Nga Bay – the bay is naturally protected from monsoons and the water remains calm year-round.

These are some of my favorite places in Thailand. They provide a good introduction to this incredible country as I experienced a little bit of the different things Thailand has to offer including history, culture, food, temples, cities, islands, and beautiful natural scenery.