Northern Thailand in 10 Days

The arrival hub: temples, markets, and rooftop food, walkable in the cool season.

• Grand Palace and Wat Pho on day one
• Asiatique the Riverfront for an evening dinner with river views
• Early morning at Or Tor Kor fresh market before the heat

Ruined temple city and easy day trip north of Bangkok.

• Wat Mahathat -- the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots
• Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the palace grounds
• Elephant kraal at Bang Pa-In (book ahead)
• Sunset over the ruins from a riverside restaurant

Tip · Hire a bicycle from your guesthouse. The ruins are spread out and a bike is far more efficient than tuk-tuks.

Cool-season mountain base for temples, trekking, and night markets.

• Doi Suthep temple and the forested hillside above the city
• Nimman Road: independent cafes, street art, and a lively night market
• Night Bazaar -- better for atmosphere than buying
• Day trip to Doi Inthanon national park (Thailand's highest peak)

Tip · November brings Yi Peng lantern festival and Loy Krathong -- two of the most beautiful nights in the Thai calendar.

Laid-back mountain town in a valley northwest of Chiang Mai.

• Pai Canyon at sunrise or sunset (sunset is less crowded)
• Nam Tok Mo Paeng waterfall, a 45-minute ride from town
• Pai night market: small, local, and genuinely good food
• Hot springs at Tha Pai (the free natural pools, not the resort ones)

Tip · The road from Chiang Mai to Pai has over 700 bends. If you get car sick, take a motion sickness tablet an hour before you leave.