The Best of Chiangmai/Chiangrai! (Part 1)

As international borders reopen, many travelers are flocking to popular destinations like Japan and South Korea. However, with crowds swelling at major tourist spots, the experience can feel highly commercialized.

Seeking a less touristy alternative, we decided to spend our 8-day-7-night trip exploring northern Thailand instead. Now that I'm back, I'm excited to share the highlights of our adventure! I hope to inspire your own itinerary to the area through our experiences 🥰

𝐖𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 (𝐃𝐨𝐢 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤)

𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞:𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝟑-𝟏𝟒 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝.

- This towering 80-meter waterfall is located in Mae Hong Son province. The roaring waters cascaded magnificently over moss-covered stone surrounded by lush rainforest.

- We were lucky enough to spot a beautiful triple rainbow over the waterfall - it was truly a picturesque sight.

- At 80 meters high, the waterfall was one of the most majestic and grand waterfalls I've seen. Its roar could be heard from a distance.

𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 (𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢)

𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞: 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐛𝐚𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟖𝟎 𝐛𝐚𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝

- Situated in Northern Thailand, this farm feels like a little slice of the Netherlands with its Dutch-inspired buildings and scenery.

- Visitors can interact with and feed many cute farm animals like ponies, horses, sheep and geese roaming the grounds.

- When we visited, the tranquil rural setting provided a relaxing environment, especially for families with children.

𝐒𝐮 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 (𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐧)

𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞: 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞

- Spanning over 500 meters across emerald green rice paddies, this atmospheric bamboo bridge in Mae Hong Son offers picture-perfect views of the agricultural landscape.

- As we strolled leisurely along the gently swaying bridge, the panoramic vistas of fields, farms and misty mountains took our breath away.

- Be sure to sample the local delicacies like tiger peanuts and sesame candies sold at stalls along the bridge - they are simply delicious!

𝐘𝐮𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐢 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 (𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐧)

𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞: 𝟐𝟎 𝐛𝐚𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧

- Perched at an elevation of 1300 meters, the viewpoint offers stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountainous terrain blanketed in clouds and mist.

- On clear days, the vista stretches as far as the eye can see with lush valleys and mist-covered peaks fading into billowy clouds.

- Locals told us this is a popular spot for camping under the stars. The atmosphere was so peaceful!

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 (𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐧)

𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞: 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬, 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞

- This is a recreated village that was formerly inhabited by the Kuomintang or Chinese Nationalist forces who fled to northern Thailand in the 1940s.

- Visitors can try various traditional activities like horseback riding, target shooting practice with air rifles, and archery.

- Their selection of local specialty liqueurs made from fruits like lychee are superb - we sampled the fruity lychee wine which was delightfully sweet.

- For some royal fun, the village loans out traditional Thai costumes so you can dress up and pose for photos like in an ancient palace.

- Strategically placed architecture and backdrops around the village make for great photo opportunities. It truly feels like stepping back in time into a regal historical compound.

Stay tuned for the next instalment where I'll fill you in on the remaining sights we visited and things we discovered! ❤️

#MyLemon8Diary #travel #HolidayChallenge