Top travel locations to visit in Thailand
Thailand and Phuket are an awesome location if you are searching for ancient history mixed with modern attractions feeling. Perhaps the best-known wat in Chiang Mai sits atop Doi Suthep, a mountain overlooking Thailand’s northern rose of a city. In a crowd of monks, devout Buddhist followers, and fellow travelers, you’ll have a chance to marvel at intricate religious carvings, observe worship rituals, and gaze out over the ever-growing sprawl of Chiang Mai city. Just be sure to bring a bottle of water and your walking shoes – the staircase to the temple is steep. At the base of the stairs, vendors hawk everything from tasty local treats to goods handmade by villagers from the surrounding mountains. There’s also a shop selling masks, elephant carvings, and home furnishings so you can do some shopping while recovering from the trek up and down the stairs. You can combine your trip to Doi Suthep with excursions to Doi Pui, a small Hmong village in the mountains. It’s far more touristy than other villages, but if you’re on a tight schedule, this will give you a taste of Hmong culture and a chance to learn more about the hill tribe communities in the region, not to mention purchase some beautiful hand-woven textiles. The Bhubing Palace, open to tourists, is on the way to Doi Pui from Doi Suthep as well.
The third-largest national park in Thailand, Khao Yai National Park is located in the eastern part of the country in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Homes to a wide array of wildlife, including Asian elephants and black bears, the park offers observation towers, hiking trails, lodges, cabins and campsites. There are even dinosaur footprints, so visitors find surprises at every turn.
Ang Thong, which means “Bowl of Gold,” is a popular national park in the Gulf of Thailand. Consisting of 42 islands, which are close together for easy island hopping, the park is headquartered on Ko Wua Talap. There, travelers can stay in lovely bungalows and take in incredible views of the surrounding islands and bizarre rock formations. Exploring the island’s white sand beaches and snorkeling among the shallow coral gardens makes a popular day trip from Ko Samui.
Phuket Attractions ? Chalong Bay Rum Distillery What is it? A small eco-minded distillery producing award-winning rum, offering tours and tastings. Why go? Thailand might be best known for its ferocious whiskies, but the young French couple behind this place are proving it can produce rum that’s up there with the very best. Sustainably produced using purely hand-harvested, local sugarcane, the rum tastes great; and the spacious, airy bar is the perfect place to sample a mojito, capriosa, or both. Need a place to stay in Phuket, Patong Beach ? Read more about Hostel Patong Beach.
The biggest show on the island, Fantasea, is done is such a scale that it wouldn’t look out of place in Vegas. It’s a huge, enchanting complex that’s home to a theme park, places to eat, and several shows. Visitors are in for a spellbinding time as they learn about Thai culture and history through various performance mediums. Thailand’s national animal is the elephant, but sadly many are still abused, forced to perform and cruelly ridden by many in this country. Fortunately, places like the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary exist to both educate visitors about the animal’s plight and rehabilitate those majestic creatures who’ve been mistreated in the past. Visitors to the sanctuary can not only learn about elephants but also have fun feeding them and observing them in their newly found freedom — a must-see attraction indeed.
