Complete Thailand: Cities, Temples, and Beaches

About the destination: Bangkok, one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, is the capital of Thailand. Bangkok is hot and crowded, but it's fairly clean and offers lots of fun things to do. Bangkok has great shopping, plenty of culture, amazing temples, delicious food and a decent art scene. Most of Bangkok's sights are concentrated on the island of Rattanakosin, often referred to as the Old City. The Grand Palace is the absolute must see site. The Grand Palace complex also houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Keow, the most sacred Buddhist temple. Other famous temples in Bangkok are the Wat Pho and Wat Arun temples. Bangkok is a great place for shopping. There are many shops, shopping centers and markets to satisfy every wish. The nightlife scene in Bangkok is as varied as the city itself, from beer bars to exclusive clubs, night shopping markets, discos to hippie parties. Bangkok is a large sprawling metropolis, noisy and crowded yet peaceful and delicate. It is one of the world’s top destinations that one has to visit at least once in life.

About the destination: Chiang Rai is the capital of Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand and is the main commercial center serving the Golden Triangle border region of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. It is an excellent base for exploring the region. Chiang Rai is essentially a service city for the surrounding province. Despite its relatively small population, Chiang Rai has respected universities and other civic facilities. The character is distinctly Northern and is distinct to Chiang Mai to the south in various ways. The food is definitely spicier and the ethnic composition includes a good percentage of hill tribes and Myanmar exiles such as various varieties of Karen tribespeople. There are many temples and museums to explore. The White Temple is spectacular and well worth a visit and the Hill Tribe Museum and Education Centre is the perfect place to learn more about the hill tribes and their cultures. There is a very good night market that also features an open-air food court. Buffalo Horn Hill has a splendid overview of Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai is one of the best spots to do trekking in Thailand, what with its alluring mountains and numerous hill-tribes. Chiang Rai retains a small-town charm that makes it a perfect destination to enjoy the local culture and nature.

About the destination: Chiang Mai is the hub of Northern Thailand and the Capital City of the Province of this name. With a population of over 170,000 in the city proper, it is Thailand's fifth-largest city. Located on a plain at an elevation of 316 m, surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North". Chiang Mai's historical center is the walled city. Sections of the wall remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest only the moat remains. Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples dating back to the founding of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas and pagodas laced with gold filigree. The most famous is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a mountainside 13 km away. Modern-day Chiang Mai has expanded in all directions, but particularly to the east towards the Ping River, Mae Nam Ping, where Chang Klan Rd, the famous Night Bazaar and the bulk of Chiang Mai's hotels and guest houses are located. Loi Kroh Rd is the center of the city's night life.

About the destination: Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and one of its premier tourist destinations. There are many activities you can do at Phuket, especially if you like beaches and islands. Phuket is such a great place to get out and explore. It really has it all, from sandy white beaches and crystal blue waters to a green countryside, beautiful temples and unbelievable views. Then add the shopping, nightlife and delicious seafood and you have just about everything you could want on a holiday. Island hopping is the best way to see and explore some of Phuket’s beautiful islands. You will find lots of huge rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. Phi Phi and Khai Islands are the most popular islands of the archipelago. The Phi Phi View Point has an excellent view of the Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam Bay. Patong Beach is the most visited beach and it is sometimes crowded, but has the best nightlife of the region. For more laid back beaches visit the beautiful Kamala, Surin, Laem Singh, Karon and Kata Beaches. Phuket is truly a wonderful place for a relaxing trip. A lot of amazing wonderful resorts, great tasty restaurants, white sandy beaches, amazing outlining islands and exciting nightlife. Everything you need for a true holiday.

About the destination: The Phi Phi Islands are in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the west Strait of Malacca coast of the mainland. Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest island of the group, and is the most populated island of the group. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS - Hin Khao Beach. - Laem Thong. - Lanti Beach. Lanti Beach is very similar in many regards with its great scenery and coral reefs. - Monkey Beach. Accessible by foot or by renting a canoe, or charter a longtail. - Loh Samah Bay. A bay on the west coast of the island. It is U-shaped with a large rock in the middle. There is a very small beach and small caves at the end of a very narrow gorge. - Maya Bay. Maya Bay has arguably Phi Phi’s most fantastic beach. - Phaya Naak Cave. Cave with prehistoric paintings. - Ko Pai (Bamboo Island). On the north and east sides of the island are sandy beaches. - Ko Yung. This island just north of Ko Phi Phi Don has a rocky beach and some coral.

About the destination: Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and one of its premier tourist destinations. There are many activities you can do at Phuket, especially if you like beaches and islands. Phuket is such a great place to get out and explore. It really has it all, from sandy white beaches and crystal blue waters to a green countryside, beautiful temples and unbelievable views. Then add the shopping, nightlife and delicious seafood and you have just about everything you could want on a holiday. Island hopping is the best way to see and explore some of Phuket’s beautiful islands. You will find lots of huge rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. Phi Phi and Khai Islands are the most popular islands of the archipelago. The Phi Phi View Point has an excellent view of the Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam Bay. Patong Beach is the most visited beach and it is sometimes crowded, but has the best nightlife of the region. For more laid back beaches visit the beautiful Kamala, Surin, Laem Singh, Karon and Kata Beaches. Phuket is truly a wonderful place for a relaxing trip. A lot of amazing wonderful resorts, great tasty restaurants, white sandy beaches, amazing outlining islands and exciting nightlife. Everything you need for a true holiday.