12 Reasons to Visit Northern Thailand

When you think Thailand, usually images of the beaches and islands to the South come to mind. Northern Thailand, however, gives you a totally different yet equally enchanting experience. With jungles, hilltops, temples and local culture to explore definitely make Northern Thailand a stop on your next visit to Asia.

The Blue Temple or Wat Rong Seua Ten is a fairly new temple and literally means dancing tiger as the tigers that used to live in this area frequently jumped over the river. It is a beautifully crafted intricate temple with heavy blue and gold accents both inside and out. The large white Buddha inside is a sight to behold but don't miss out on walking around the temple as there are interesting details everywhere! Admission is free and it is relatively quiet compared to other temples in the area.

Thailand is known to be friendly but in the north even more so. Most of the villagers are laid back and are always ready to greet you with a smile and a greeting of "sawasdee" that means hello in Thai. Happy people make a destination so much better to visit and even though the locals don't speak a lot of English they are always eager to help where they can.

Northern Thai cuisine differs significantly from the rest of Thailand, but the prices are inexpensive for what you get. Traditional family style meals are popular. Sticky glutinous rice is preferred and the food is a lot less spicy than the South.

Known as the "People of the hills", ethnic minorities in Northern Thailand share a common destiny. They have all emigrated around the twentieth century from the Sino-Tibetan highlands to Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, to escape persecution and civil wars. There are 7 of these Hill Tribes each with their own dialect, traditional costumes and beliefs.

Chiang Rai, the gateway to the fabled Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet has a rustic unhurried way of life. The mountainous landscape overlooking the Mekong river was once the center of opium production. Now it sets the perfect scene for the more adventurous traveler looking for an authentic experience.

Once home to poppy fields, Northern Thailand is now growing a new commodity. Tea plantations are thriving up in the cooler mountain areas. Every leaf is still hand-picked and the plantations are family-run businesses. These teas are a far cry from the traditional sweet tea that you usually find in Thailand.

Wat Rong Khun is a very unconventional, privately owned art exhibit set in a Buddhist Temple. It is definitely unlike any temple you have ever seen with the concept of creating a depiction of a Buddhists path to enlightenment.

Interested in buying beautiful handmade fabrics and other locally crafted items? This is the place for you. You can even get a glimpse of their daily life where a lot of pride is taken in their craft and they still go about their daily life in traditional wear.

Witnessing Indian elephants in Thailand is something that is high on a lot of people's bucket list. These gentle giants can be seen at Elephant sanctuaries throughout Northern Thailand. They have been saved from a cruel life of shows and rides and get to live out their remaining years in a controlled but natural environment. Do your research before visiting a sanctuary and make sure they are ethical.

The Mae Fah Luang garden is located in front of the Royal Doi Tung Villa and was built in accordance with the Princess Mothers wishes to give Thai people a place to enjoy a garden like the ones she saw in Switzerland. It's not something you would expect in Thailand but it is definitely a sight to see. The boxes of flowers creating the patterns get moved daily and they even grow their own coffee that you can sample at their restaurant!

Known as the foothills of the Himalayas, the mountain region of Northern Thailand is a feast for the eyes. Green rolling hills descend high into the heavens with an area of temples and rustic villages scattered throughout.

Although Northern Thailand is a backpacker's dream with homestays and inexpensive guesthouse accommodations there is also a different side to it. World-class hotels are nestled into the jungle landscape creating tranquil spots with age-old luxury. Here you can relax in comfort and still explore some of the best rugged landscapes and authentic experiences that Thailand has to offer.