Thailand is a popular destination for tourists due to its unbeatable landscape, beaches, and rich culture. If you have recently booked a trip to the Southeast Asian country, you may be wondering which the best sites are to add to your itinerary. We have put together a list of four places definitely worth considering.
Chiang Dao
Surrounded by limestone peaks, Chiang Dao is a quaint little village just a short distance from the popular city of Chiang Mai. Whilst many tourists add Chiang Mai to their list of top places to visit, we recommend Chiang Dao for the chance to visit Wat Tham Pha Plong temple. You will have to climb over 500 steps up the side of a mountain to get there, but the journey is well worth it. Because the location is so remote, looking out over the forest views is peaceful and serene with some even citing it to be one of the most stunning views in the whole of Thailand.
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Wherever you are staying in Thailand, it is always a good idea to book an extra couple of nights in the capital. Whether you choose to stay in a backpacker hostel in Bangkok or a 5-star hotel, one place you must check out is the Grand Palace. Dating back to the year 1782, the palace was a royal residence until 1925 and is still used today for ceremonial purposes. It is home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is Thailand’s most sacred sculpture. The Grand Palace is a huge complex, so you will probably need to set aside a good few hours to see it in its entirety. Note that you will need to be dressed in appropriate attire such as a sarong, or long trousers.
Railay Beach
After all the walking and trekking around the various tourist sites, you will probably want to dedicate at least a day to spend on the beach. Railay Beach can be found in the Krabi province and is considered one of the best in the country. With white sand and clear blue water, it looks just as picture perfect as the images you have seen in the brochures. You will have to take a boat to get there as it is part of a small island, but you will not be disappointed. There are many other activities to take part in nearby if sunbathing is not your bag, such as elephant trekking, rock climbing, and kayaking.
Khao Yai National Park
Whilst there are many tour groups that will allow you to book an elephant trek, nothing beats seeing them in their natural environment. Khao Yai National Park allows you to take in luscious views of elephants roaming among waterfalls, tropical forests, and various migratory birds. Located 2.5 hours away from the capital, the park is open from 6 am until 6 pm so you can spend hours here soaking up nature at its finest.
Thailand is a vast country spanning over 500,000 square kilometres and consequently, it will be impossible to cover the entire region in one holiday. However, the above four destinations are just the starting point of where you can begin discovering everything Thailand has to offer.