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Geographical region of Thailand
Photo: Jpatokal at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Thailand shares borders with Myanmar and Laos, as well as with the Central Plains and Isaan.
The Golden Triangle, ethnic minorities, mountain hikes, opium warlords.
Hub of Lanna culture, and the gateway to the northern region.
The great Mae Hong Son Loop with Pai, hill tribes, hazy mountains, and lush valleys.
Mountainous valleys and little visited towns.
The North-Central Plains, the ancient centre of Thailand, with Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, and Kamphaeng Phet.
By train
Trains from Bangkok go regularly to Chiang Mai via Phitsanulok. The overnight sleeper trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai sell out weeks in advance, so book ahead.
By bus
There is an extensive bus network with the main artery being Bangkok-Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai, buses head northwest to Mae Hong Son and Pai, and further north to Chiang Rai.
By train
The only railway line within Northern Thailand runs between Chiang Mai and Sukhothai (and further on to Bangkok).
By road
There is an extensive network of public bus services with major hubs in Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Green Bus is a major bus company in the region with many routes in Northern Thailand.
By bike
Northern Thailand has some of the best biking roads in the world, which pass through some stunning scenery. For the more adventurous traveller, the best way to explore the area is by motorbike.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Chiang Mai · International · CNX
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the largest city in the north, well-known for its many temples
jump off point for the Golden Triangle
the ancient city of the Diamond Walls, springboard for the rise of Sukothai
a picturesque little town with lush valleys
one of the larger cities at the lower end, gateway to the north
former capital of a small kingdom, filled with history, temples and surrounded by mountains
a laid-back backpacker atmosphere and a good starting point for trekking tours
a good overnight stop between Bangkok and Chiang Mai and gateway to the Sukhothai Historical Park
Thailand's original capital, now famed for the ancient Sukhothai ruins
mountain resort northwest of Chiang Mai
Thailand's highest mountain, beautiful and cool
royal villas and a mountaintop temple with stunning views and (supposedly) the Buddha's collarbone
an area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet
Thailand's northernmost town, daytrips to Myanmar
founded by Chinese Nationalist soldiers who were expelled from Myanmar in 1961
small village with good guest houses
the largest protected area in Southeast Asia, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991
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