Travel Overview of Northern Thailand - Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son

Northern Thailand is a mountainous part of the country which borders Myanmar and Laos, characterized by its rugged terrain and mix of peoples such as mainland Thais, Burmese, Shan and hilltribe groups (Karen,Hmong,Lahu,Lisu and Akha). These characteristics give Northern Thailand a culture and feel about it that is very different to the rest of Thailand.

The second biggest city in Thailand and the capital of the North, Chiang Mai attracts thousands of tourists every year. A city of old and new, where east meets west, it guarantees something for everybody. Some say Chiang Mai has everything Bangkok has to offer except on a much smaller and quieter scale. Most people allow a few days in Chiang Mai but one could easily spend a week soaking up the sights and sounds and falling for the allure of this city.

For those looking to explore more of Northern Thailand past the environs of Chiang Mai, there are two popular options. One is to head directly north to Chiang Rai or west to Mae Hong Son. Chiang Rai can be comfortably explored in 3 days covering destinations such as Fang, Thaton and Mae Salong. Most people set aside 3 days or less to discover Chiang Rai, although some make Chiang Rai a day trip- this is not recommended as most of the day is spent traveling as it is a good 4 hours drive from Chiang Mai.

With 3 days/2 nights a recommended route which covers both tourist and non tourist areas is; Chiang Mai - Chiang Dao - Doi Angkhang - Fang -Thaton - Mae Salong -Mae Sai- Golden Triangle - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai. This route covers some beautiful natural scenery such as paddy fields, farmland growing a variety of crops, mountain backdrops and hilltribes. This route gets off the main tourist trail, the direct road from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai that many commercial tour operators take to visit tourist hot spots such as the Golden Triangle and Mae Sai border.

For those with 4 days or more on their hands Mae Hong Son province which lies west of Chiang Mai is highly recommended. Mae Hong Son has a more remote feel to it as more time is needed to navigate through this mountainous province it remains less chartered by tourists. Home to a mix of peoples such as the Burmese, Shan, hilltribes and Thais, another distinctive feature of Mae Hong Son is the Shan and Burmese influence not found anywhere else in Thailand. This can be seen through the architecture, where ornate Shan style temples are scattered throughout this province. This area is also famous for its mists, named the land of 3 mists due to the dewy mist in the winter, rainy mist in the wet season and mist from forest fires in the summer.

Mae Hong Son Province is best discovered by doing the Mae Hon Son Loop a famous 600km circuit which starts from Chiang Mai taking you through the towns of Pai, Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang before ending back up at Chiang Mai. The circuit can be done in a clockwise direction stopping off at Mae Sariang first or anti-clockwise via Pai.

For the ultimate Northern Thailand experience with 10 days or more on your hands you could cover both Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai. Starting off with the Mae Hong Son Loop then crossing over from Pai to Chiang Dao and up North to the Chiang Rai region.

Melissa Ah-Sing is the co-founder of Thailand Hilltribe Holidays a responsible tourism outfit in North West Thailand http://www.thailandhilltribeholidays.com/

By Melissa Ah-Sing