Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations for individuals, couples, friends, and family. Whether you are an avid traveler or a digital nomad, it offers something for everyone. From beaches to mountains, lakes, unforgettable nightlife, stunning beaches, wellness retreats, wildlife sanctuaries, and so much more.Â
If you are searching for a travel destination that allows you to easily visit different cities and towns without any hassle. Here are our top 5 cities to visit in Thailand on your next tropical vacation.
Bangkok
The capital of Bangkok is one of the most prominent cities in all the land as it is a great getaway destination. The city life of Bangkok is very different compared to Chiang Mai, Phuket, and so on as it has massive skyscrapers next to ancient unique temples. However, there are several activities that you can do such as visiting the Grand Palace, Lumpini Park, floating market, night markets, a world-class aquarium, and so much more.
Bangkok hosts one of the largest outdoor markets, Chatuchak market, where you will find everything from designer products (mostly fake) to food stalls, handicrafts, furniture, massages, live music, etc all being sold at local price.
Phuket
Being the largest island in all of Thailand, Phuket is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and several beach activities. Patong beach, Paradise beach, Kata beach, Freedom beach, Karon beach are just some of the most popular beaches amongst backpackers and travelers. You will find several luxury resorts, budget-friendly resorts, restaurants, overlooking these beautiful beaches.
Apart from these beaches, Phuket has a rich heritage and is home to some of the most intricate temples all over the city. While the beaches take up most of the spotlight, these historic temples attract a lot of tourists. The night markets at Phuket only run over the weekends where you can shop a variety of options, try some amazing Thai cuisines, and so much more. Boat tours are a prominent tourist activity along with snorkeling, scuba, jet-skis that are available on several beaches.Â
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the most sought-after cities in Thailand as it offers travelers a chance to submerge themselves in the rich cultures of the land. This city is full of beautiful ancient temples, stunning landscapes, nightlife, wildlife sanctuaries, and so on. One of the prominent places to visit in Chiang Mai is the Doi Inthanon National Park. Where you can witness beautiful mountains, waterfalls, encounter wildlife, and even get an opportunity to feed some elephants.
Exploring Chiang Mai is extremely easy to navigate and excellent for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. You have plenty of places to hike and trek hills and also get a chance to interact with different hill tribes such as the Karen tribe, Meo Hill tribe, and so on. You can spend time and learn about their lifestyle and even purchase handicrafts made by these tribes which can help them sustain themselves in this modern world. Check out these guides and activities that you can do in this beautiful country on Thailand Nomads.Â
Ayutthaya
A UNESCO-listed heritage site that stretches over 280 hectares of land and is surrounded by three rivers, Ayuuhaya is one of the most ancient cities in Thailand. Whether you are a history buff or not, you must add it to your bucket list. Ayutthaya was known as the capital of Thailand in 1351 but lost its title when the Burmese Army raided and destroyed the city in 1767.
However, it is still a popular place to visit as it offers tourists a historic background of the country and showcases the ruins of the kingdom in a fun and exciting way. The Wat Phra Mahathat is one of the most famous temples in the city where there is a Budhha statue entwined with banyan tree roots. Even though many of the reliquary towers and statues were destroyed, the park has hundreds of Buddha statues all draped in golden cloth.Â
Krabi Province
The Krabi province is home to some of the best beaches in Thailand as it has over 200 islands. The beaches are the main attraction as they offer picturesque views, steep hills, sandy beaches, bustling resorts, and many other activities. Phi Phi Island, Railay Beach, Koh Lanta, are some of the most popular islands in the province. You can experience some of the best snorkeling, kayaking, hill-climbing, and bird-watchers on these islands.
The Krabi is nothing short of an adventure as you get to view several caves, temples, exotic fauna, and lush rainforest. You can even partake in an inauthentic tuk-tuk while visiting the Wat Tham Sua, Tiger cave Temple. In the town, you can discover the Krabi riverside walk where you interact with older residents practicing Tai Chi, boat rides, night markets, and much more.
Exploring any of these beautiful places will allow you to experience the rich culture of the land and understand the lifestyle of the locals. Thailand has been given the green light for tourists amidst the pandemic, however, certain protocols need to be followed.Â