Photo Tour of North Thailand

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Photo Tour of Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand has the most fascinating variety of things to see and do. There are unlimited travel options, impressive Buddhist temples, fantastic scenic views, adventurous rafting, visits to local handicraft areas, and many more unusual experiences such as riding on buffaloes or elephants, trekking, and meeting hill tribes. So go out and enjoy "The Land of Smiles".

Wat Phrathart Doi Suthep is a beautiful temple enjoyed by everyone who visits Chiangmai. It is situated on top of Doi Suthep to the west of Chiangmai overlooking the city and its many other temples. In the same area on this scenic mountaintop are a hill tribe village and the King's Phu Ping Palace.


No stay in Chiangmai is complete without a visit to the night bazaar. Here you will find hundreds of things that you will never be able to live without including silver, hill tribe goods and more. Many talented artists also ply their trade here including drawing likenesses from photographs.	Chiangmai is full of outdoor stalls where you can find all types of jewelry, clothing, and souvenir items at a very reasonable price.	Take a visit to the silk and cotton weaving factories located mostly in the Sankampaeng area of Chiangmai.

When you go trekking, you will probably see several hill tribe villages. This picture was taken at an Akha village high in the mountains. The lush jungle encroaches on the homes of these accommodating people. The hill tribe people will always give you a good welcome.	In the mountains thirteen different hill tribes make their home in the lush surroundings of nature. This Akha woman and child represent the Akha tribe group that is predominant in Chiangrai.	Karen hill tribe people constitute the largest percentage of Thailand's hill tribes. This couple greet visitors in the northern corner of Chiangmai Province at Thaton. They're saying, "Ta-Bleu", Thank You in Karen.

During your travels around the countryside, you will probably see many different towns and villages with their traditional wooden houses, orchards and rice fields. You will no doubt see a few buffalo at work. This docile animal is one of the farmer's most important possessions.	Boating is one of Chiangrai's most appealing features for visitors. Here, a group of Akha hill tribe people help tourists disembark at a jungle site on the Mae Kok River, between Thaton and Chiangrai.	Riding in a long tail boat is a favorite activity of Chiangrai. The boat rides on the Mae Kok River and on the Mae Khong are an adventure highlight of Chiangrai.

Watching elephants at work and in training is a very interesting experience. If you visit an elephant camp the best time to go is in the morning. If you are lucky you will catch them during their morning bath.	Elephant safaris and treks are conducted through the northernmost jungle and mountain areas of Chiangmai and Chiangrai. These I to 4 day safaris depart daily from Chiangmai or Chiangrai.	After the the elephant show, where you see them working as they would deep in the teakwood jungle, take an elephant ride.

Rafting is an activity that many people experience here in Chiangmai. It is an old form of river transport now used for leisure. Most people raft as part of a trek or a visit to an elephant camp. A trip down a meandering river in the jungle can be a rewarding experience.	One of the most popular trips in the area is to the Golden Triangle. This is a picture of the Burmese-Thai border at the crossroads town of Mai Sai. It was taken from the top of Doi Wae. Don't miss a chance to see the Laotian border at Chiang Khong as well.	Burma is just across the short bridge connecting Mae Sai and the Burmese town of Tachilek. This is a view of Tachilek as seen from Doi Wae just outside of Mae Sai on the Thai-Burma border.

Mountain Biking has become very popular in the Chiang Mai Area. The most popular route being between Baan Thaton and Chiang Rai. This rider stops to rest at the Rhummit Karen elephant village on the Mae Kok river.	Beautiful scenery such as this can be seen throughout north Thailand. A rented jeep, car, motorbike or mountain bike is the best way to go and can be found in Chiangmai and Chiangrai.	Doi Inthanon National Park is a short 80 kilometers southwest of Chiang Mai. This temple is at the summit of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand.

See related articles (Trekking in Thailand):

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