15 Best Places to Visit in Northern Thailand (Travel Guide)
Northern Thailand feels like a world away from the bright lights of Bangkok and the tropical beaches of the south, and that’s a good thing if you’re an intrepid traveler. Historically known as the Lanna Kingdom, this region is defined by culture in every sense - from its bold and sometimes bizarre cuisine, to its golden temples lurking around every mountain range.
Sometimes it takes us a while to settle into the rugged and authentic vibe of the north. In certain remote areas, there aren’t many creature comforts to be found and to be honest you start to miss things like shopping malls, modern hotels, and even proper air-conditioning. But what makes the transition easier is how friendly the people are. As long as you travel through respectfully, you’ll always be embraced as a “farang” (foreigner).
Since Northern Thailand borders Myanmar and Laos, you sometimes see hill tribes wearing traditional Burmese-style clothes or hear locals speaking in Lao dialects. These cross-cultural quirks are best experienced outside of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, of course. So after exploring these two gems, jump on a motorbike or hire a car and set off on a road trip. With winding roads, green tea plantations, and beautiful waterfalls to discover along the way - the journey itself becomes the destination (as cliche as that sounds).
Northern Thailand
15 Best Places to Visit in Northern Thailand
1. Sukhothai
We often get asked which ancient ruins are more impressive: Ayutthaya or Sukhothai? And after visiting both, we can safely say the latter. Situated in the lower northern part of Thailand, Sukhothai is nestled in a rural setting surrounded by rice paddies and fruit farms. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed, which makes temple hopping all the more enjoyable. Don’t miss Wat Si Chum, located in the northern zone of the historical park, and Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Sawai within the walled city. You could begin your northern adventure by flying into Sukhothai and then head up to Phrae.
Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai
Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai
2. Nan
Nan is starting to get the attention it deserves. It shot to Instagram fame thanks to the highly photogenic “Street Number 3”, but this is just one of many curved roads you can cruise across in the region. In fact, the entire province makes for a fun road trip - whether you’re chasing waterfalls, searching for mountain viewpoints, or venturing out to the lush valley at Sapan Village (AKA the new Pai). The small city of Nan is also full of charm. You can admire the whispering murals of Wat Phumin, take in the sunset at Wat Phra That Khao Noi, and gorge on street food at the night markets.
“Street Number 3”, Nan
Sapan Village, Nan
3. Chiang Mai
We’ve been visiting Chiang Mai for a decade now and it never ceases to amaze us. The city is blessed with so many temples that it’s impossible to see them all in one trip. However, if we had to recommend a few, we’d go with Wat Ton Kwen for its photoshoot experience and Wat Chedi Luang for its sunset over the crumbling chedi. And then there’s the food: Khao Soi, Mookata (Thai BBQ), and Sai Oua to name a few must-try dishes. You might even be tempted to book tickets for the CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival in November where you’ll witness a sea of floating lanterns.
Wat Ton Kwen, Chiang Mai
Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai
4. Lampang
Lampang is less than two hours drive from Chiang Mai. Although it could be achieved as a day tour, we suggest staying for a couple of nights at Lampang River Retreat. That way, you’ll be able to take day trips out to the “sky temples” of Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat and Wat Phra That Doi Phra Chan. Within the city, you’ll find a river with cute little bridges and plenty of local temples and restaurants to discover. This is the third biggest city in Northern Thailand, so it feels more bustling than Nan while still retaining its laidback vibe - you can even get around in a horse and carriage.
5. Chiang Rai
Going from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is like being transported to a different country. We assumed that both cities would be touristy but this is definitely not the case. Chiang Rai exudes this eccentric, offbeat atmosphere seen in its unique food, traditions and attractions. Beyond the Blue and White temples, there are so many cool experiences to be had. We particularly enjoyed watching a concert at Tawandang Mahason, where we got to see Thai superstar Kong Huayrai perform, and rafting with locals at the Mae Suai Dam, which turned into a Songkran-style splashing affair.
Read more: 10 Unique Things To Do in Chiang Rai: A Local’s Guide
Kong Huayrai concert, Chiang Rai
Rafting in Chiang Rai
6. Ban Rak Thai
Right by the border of Myanmar lies this small Chinese village encircling a lake. It’s famous for its terraced tea plantations, Yunnanese cuisine, and misty morning boat rides. Ban Rak Thai makes it onto our list of the best places to visit in Northern Thailand for one simple reason: it’s an awesome detour to take on the Mae Hong Son Loop. We would only recommend it as part of this motorbike journey, as it’s too far to reach from Chiang Mai alone.
Ban Rak Thai
7. Phrae
The big advantage of Phrae is that it can be visited after Lampang on a loop of the eastern side of Northern Thailand. Highlights include driving the scenic “Green Route” (Highway 1343) where the road winds through majestic green hills almost reminiscent of Tuscany, and Wat Na Khu Ha known for its bamboo bridge and Buddha statue surrounded by rice paddies. Phrae probably isn’t worth staying overnight, however it makes for a great pitstop for lunch and a few little detours before heading to Nan.
“Green Route”, Phrae
Wat Na Khu Ha, Phrae
8. Mae Kampong
Mae Kampong is a mountain village situated over an hour’s drive east of Chiang Mai, making it a superb day trip option. The drive up is windy, steep and perilous in sections - so be careful if you’re arriving in your own scooter or car. Once you park at the base, walk up to the main stretch of wooden houses and shopfronts. Food and drink are a big part of the experience here - from steaming Thai BBQ on the wooden balconies to getting your caffeine fix at Rabiang View Cafe. The village is also celebrated for its streams, waterfalls, and boutique glamping/homestay accommodation.
Read more: Mae Kampong: How to Visit this Charming Mountain Village
Mae Kampong
Rabiang View Cafe, Mae Kampong
9. Mae Hong Son
The city of Mae Hong Son is synonymous with the Mae Hong Son Loop, acting as a key stop on this five-day adventure. It’s a wonderful place to rest your head for the night while soaking up the tranquil ambience in town. Be sure to visit the Burmese-style temples of Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang by the lake, and walk along the bamboo bridge of Su Tong Pae just north of the city. Food-wise, don’t miss Tea Leaf Salad (Laphet Thoke).
Mae Hong Son
10. Chiang Dao
Thailand’s third highest mountain peak awaits at Chiang Dao, a jagged limestone ridge that towers over the valley town. Nature dominates the activities here, whether you’re into cave exploration or mountain trekking. That being said, you can also focus purely on relaxation - taking in the mountain views, trying the locally grown coffee, and soaking in the hot springs. The town itself is small but full of markets, craft beer bars, massage shops, and romantic hotels in the wider area such as THE CAMPIAN.
11. Phayao
Phayao is normally overlooked by travelers racing from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, which is a shame because it offers some hidden gems (and is on the way after all). In Phayao, you can eat cheap street food and soak up the lakeside views from Tha Kwan Walking Street - open on Friday and Saturday nights. Then drive 10 minutes north to see Wat Huai Pha Kiang. This temple is home to Buddhist rock carvings in sandstone cliffs. To cap off your trip, head east toward the border of Nan to visit Phu Langka. The mountains here are often shrouded in mist, creating epic photo-ops.
Phu Langka, Phayao
12. Pai
Pai can be hit and miss depending on your perspective. In recent years, the town has suffered from over-tourism and friction between locals and foreigners who have been illegally operating businesses. Sometimes the town feels more like a backpacker entertainment hub than an authentic example of Northern Thailand. The counterargument to this is how stunning the Pai Valley is. We still have fond memories of cruising down into the valley, as part of our five-day Mae Hong Son Loop. We were blown away by the setting: rice paddies, clay canyons, hot springs and waterfalls.
Pai Canyon, Pai
Pai River
13. Phu Chi Fa
Straddling the border of Thailand and Laos, Phu Chi Fa is a magnificent mountain perched at over 1,600 meters above sea level - offering the “blanket of clouds” effect if you can time your visit right. It can be reached on a 2-3 hour drive from Chiang Rai, with the option of staying overnight at a nearby guesthouse or booking a day tour to reach the viewpoint at the crack of dawn. It’s an early morning wake-up but well worth the effort.
14. Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is where you’ll find the King & Queen Pagodas and a few amazing waterfalls in the area such as Mae Ya Waterfall. Again, it makes for a logical addition to the Mae Hong Son Loop or simply as a day trip from Chiang Mai. When we visited in December, the higher we rode on our motorbikes, the cooler it got - to the point where we had to put on jackets (a strange thing to do in Thailand’s dry season). The temples were covered in mist, creating this unique atmosphere, something that was made even more special when we saw local monks practicing their traditions.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Mae Ya Waterfall
Monks at Doi Inthanon
15. Mae Chaem
Mae Chaem is about as rural as it gets in Northern Thailand. We swung by this district for our last stay on the Mae Hong Son Loop and literally had no expectations. But the town surprised us with its green rice fields, wooden houses, and Lanna temples. Arriving at our homestay, we cruised through dirt tracks surrounded by farms and rested up for the night. Although, at sunrise, we woke up to an orchestra of animals making noises - everything from birds and roosters to cats and cows. It was one of those comical situations that only happens when you travel a little off the beaten track.
Road Trip Routes in Northern Thailand
Mae Hong Son Loop: This is the most popular motorbike trip in Thailand, which starts and finishes in Chiang Mai. You can choose your direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, and the destinations that tickle your fancy. The roads are in fantastic condition and suit intermediate to advanced riders who love tackling mountain switchbacks, endless curves and the occasional straight run.
Chiang Mai → Pai: For those who only want to visit Pai and still have an exhilarating motorbike experience, heading on Highway 1095 gives you the best of both worlds. The mountain pass from Chiang Mai to Pai features 762 curves and takes a good 3-4 hours, depending on how many breaks you need along the way. This route is awesome but be careful when encountering trucks or traffic.
Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai: If you’re happy with just exploring the two largest cities of Northern Thailand, the direct route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai will suffice. This is more about getting from A to B, rather than enjoying a scenic road trip, unless you take the backroads through Phayao. The main highway is exactly that, a highway, and has been riddled with roadworks in recent years.
Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai Loop: For something different, you could easily include Phayao and Chiang Dao on a loop of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. This gives you two lesser-known spots to discover, in addition to the two heavyweights. Firstly, you’d head to Phayao for a night, then to Chiang Rai for 3 nights, and finish in Chiang Dao for 2 nights before looping back to Chiang Mai. Some of the roads will be rough and you might even get lost, but that’s part of the adventure.
Chiang Mai → Lampang → Phrae → Nan → Phayao: The ultimate journey would be a 10-14 day road trip around the eastern side of Northern Thailand. It would involve two or three nights in each of Chiang Mai, Lampang and Nan, with little sidequests in Phrae and Phayao. This route is similar in distance to the Mae Hong Son Loop: roughly 600-700 kilometers. From our experience, you want to limit your riding to 3-4 hours a day so you can actually enjoy the destinations.
Mae Hong Son Loop
Road to Pai
FAQs for Visiting Northern Thailand
When is the best time to visit?
The only time we actively avoid Northern Thailand is in the burning season, from February to April. The rest of the year, whether it’s dry or rainy, is fantastic. The dry season, of course, provides you with sunshine and clear days, while the rainy season means the entire region is at its most lush and green. This is when you’ll want to see the “Green Route” of Phrae, the waterfalls of Doi Inthanon National Park and the misty landscape of Phu Langka.
What is the food like in Northern Thailand?
Food is one of the many joys of Northern Thailand and it goes far beyond Khao Soi. If you’re a brave eater, you’ll be able to try herb-infused frog dishes in Chiang Rai, grilled bee larvae in Chiang Mai, and pig blood soup in Nan. The cuisine gets bolder and frankly weirder the further north you go, but still there’s plenty of standard Thai food to enjoy like sticky rice, Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers) and Gaeng Hung Lay (braised pork curry).
Is Northern Thailand cheap to travel around?
Northern Thailand is considerably cheaper than Bangkok and the southern islands. It’s common to find a nice 3 or 4 star hotel for around 1,400 THB ($40 USD) a night. And when you eat street food, you’ll save even more money. What catches you out is things like private transport, Western-style cafes, and flying to and from Chiang Mai if you don’t book well in advance. Luckily, AirAsia services this city, which is the best budget airline in our opinion.
