Explore Thailand by region
Northern Thailand
Lanna temples, mountain roads and slower-paced towns.
Traveling in Northern Thailand
Northern Thailand contrasts sharply with the coastal regions. Here, the landscapes are dominated by mountains, agricultural valleys, and forests. The former heartland of the Lanna kingdom, the region retains a rich cultural heritage, particularly around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, while also offering some of the country's most beautiful hiking trails.
The North is not just Chiang Mai. The Lanna heritage remains visible in the architecture, cuisine, and local festivals. The further you travel from the main roads, the more mountain roads, agricultural valleys, and small towns play a significant role in the journey.
This page serves as a starting point: it helps to choose the stages that correspond to your trip, before diving into the detailed guides and field reports.
The North in brief
For: culture, nature and scenic drives
Main base: Chiang Mai
For a Bangkok–North–South tour: 3 to 4 days
For a stay focused on the North: 7 to 14 days
To combine with: Sukhothai or a mountain loop
Explore the North province by province
Hover over or tap on a province to display its main landmarks.
Selected province
Chiang Mai
The main base in the North: old town, Doi Suthep, mountains and excursions to Mae Kampong or Doi Inthanon.
Key landmarks
Chiang Mai · Mae Kampong · Doi Inthanon
Where to start ?
Six entry points chosen manually to understand the region and prepare an initial itinerary.
Some suggested itineraries
These outlines provide a logical order to the steps. They should be adapted to your pace, the season, and the time actually available.
Chiang Mai4 nights
Chiang Rai2 nights
Chiang Mai3 nights
Father2 nights
Mae Lana1 night
Mae Hong Son2 nights
Mae Sarang1 night
Doi inthanon1 night
Chiang Mai3 nights
A more eastern variant: these two weeks can also be devoted to a loop towards Chiang Rai — via Chiang Dao, Doi Ang Khang, Mae Salong, Chiang Saen and Phu Chi Fah — or to an itinerary centered on Nan.
The places covered on the blog
This map brings together the places already covered in the blog articles.
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All articles about the North
Practical guides, detailed tours and travel diaries: find here all the articles classified in the region.
