Northern Thailand is much cooler than the rest thanks to its higher sea-levels. For us it was nearly unbearable hot and humid in Bangkok after our arrival on November 8th 2017 and we decided to head northwards. Two days later we took the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The engine broke half the way and we had to wait for another one. So we arrived at Chiang Mai at 6:00h early morning instead of midnight after spending 17 hours in the train. But the trip was worth because we felt immediately in love with the green, lush and mountainous landscape adorned with nice cities and beautiful temples.

Little colorful temple with monk

Chiang Mai is with more than 1 million inhabitants the largest town in northern Thailand and must to see for tourists. Its nice inner city and historical center is surrounded by an ancient wall and has more then 30 temples. Famous is the night bazaar with many weird shops and too many people.

Water games on the inner city wall

 

Visors in Chiang Mai

 

Ancient temple Wat Chedi Luang destroyed by a great earthquake in the year 1545

 

Huge Buddha close to Wat Chedi Luang

 

Chiang Mai is the hub for activities in its marvelous environment. We did two day trips with Penguin Tour - What a name in hot Thailand! Both included some . hiking and visits of beautiful villages of the indigenous Karen people in the mountains. The first one was in the Mae Wang Elephant Park, the second one in the Doi Inthanon National Park. Our guides were nice, the groups small and the food delicious. Indeed we were lucky with Penguin Tour.

Elephant riding

 

Crossing a river

 

Bamboo rafting - what a fun!

 

Summit of Doi Inthanon which is with 2,565 meters sea-level the highest peak of Thailand

 

After four days in Chiang Mai we continued to Chiang Dao with the local bus which is famous for its cave and its mountain. The cave Wat Tham Chiang Dao includes and is surrounded by some interesting temples.

In the cave of Chiang Dao

 

One of the many temples of the Wat Tham complex

 

Elephant God in a temple outside the cave

Huge Spider in Chiang Dao

 

Hairy Caterpillar in Chiang Dao

Majestic Doi Luang Chiang Dao rises dramatically with steep walls more than 1600 meters over the town. In comparison with Doi Inthanon which is a 20 minutes walk, Doi Luang Chiang Dao is a strenuous day hike with more than 1100 meters difference in altitude.

You need a car to drive to the trailhead of the ascent to Doi Luang Chiang Dao. You should have a guide to access the mountain. When we came in the afternoon to our hostel Chiang Dao Hut Resort nothing was available or just for horrendous costs. We met Jim from US and he wanted to hike the summit, too. At night we were in the nearby bar "The Cave" and drunk some beer. We asked its owner Buppha Zippa if she knows a solution. Again we were lucky: She phoned and said yes he has one for a reasonable price. Next morning at 5:00 AM she personally drove us to the trailhead where a younger man waited for us, which was our guide. He was of little help but fortunately we had our little Garmin GPS with us.

Stupa with Doi Luang Chiang Dao

 

Alfred on the summit of 2192 meters Doi Luang Chiang Dao which is the 3rd highest peak of Thailand

 

The flowers were so wonderful

 

Our trail to Doi Luang Chiang Dao is partially included in the GPS coordinates file of Thailand

Close to the next northern town is another natural wonder which is often neglected by foreign tourists: The geysers and hot springs of Fang. For us it was much to warm to bath in the hot springs but we deeply enjoyed the cold river near the hot springs like many Thai people.

Elephant watching the entrance of the temple Wat Chedi Ngam in Fang

 

20 Wa Well where King Fang Udomsin and his wife Phranang Sam Phew sacrificed their lives in order to protect their people from the Burmese soldiers and from starvation

 

Steaming cleft in the hot springs of Fang

 

Boiling eggs in the hot water of the hot springs

 

At the end of the bus line from Chiang Mai and close to the border to Myanmar is Tha Ton. Several temples are on the western side of the town in hills in the jungle. We spent a full day there to explore the different buildings, effigies and temples. Outstanding were the views to Myanmar and the mighty Mae Kok River. We took a public boat down the river to Chiang Rai which was an interesting experience.

Golden Buddha in the jungle

 

Port of Tha Ton with indigenous Karen people

 

Our Captain to Chiang Rai

 

Chiang Rai is a nice city adorned with many temples like all other Thai towns. Outstanding are the golden Clock Tower and the Emerald Buddha. Our hostel Chat Guesthouse offered bicycles to rent without any costs. Of course we took this chance and made a great tour to the fairy tale like temple Wat Rhon Khun.

Wat Rong Khun

 

Street sign with skull 	and more on the trees

 

Lizard living in Wat Rong Khun

 

Picture on the Clock Tower: Former king Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit in Love

 

Baby Buddha with Smartphone in front of Wat Mung Muang

 

Back to Bangkok we took a plane for little money. because we did not want to have an endless journey again. There is a bus from the airport directly to Koh Chang which we caught at noon. We arrived there in the early evening on the same day and spent six days on this awesome island, see previous article.

 

Some of our waypoints are included in the GPS coordinates file of Thailand

For more pictures, please click here                                      For a map of our itineraries click here

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