What to See in Northern and Isaan Thailand

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Northern Thailand is home to four UNESCO-listed sites:

Ban Chiang ★ (1992)
This archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered the most important prehistoric settlement discovered to date in Southeast Asia.

Khao Yai National Park ★★★ (2005)
This vast park in Isaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with the Dong Phaya Yen mountains). It is renowned for its flora and fauna, including numerous bird species, monkeys, as well as bears, elephants, and tigers. Visitors can hike through stunning forests and waterfalls, and also enjoy rafting and canoeing.

Thung Yai and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries ★★ (1991)
Originally two sites combined to form one of the largest protected areas in Southeast Asia. The entire region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to beautiful waterfalls and rich flora, the sanctuary is home to many animals, including tigers, leopards, and elephants.

• Sukhothai and Associated Historic Sites (1991): These are the ruins of the ancient capital, Sukhothai, and two other locations from the same era: Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet.

Cities and Cultural Heritage

Ban Chiang ★
This archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered the most important prehistoric settlement discovered to date in Southeast Asia.

Chiang Khan ★
The main tourist attraction of this small border town in Laos is the opportunity for boat trips on the Mekong.

Chiang Mai ★★
The major city of northern Thailand, with its 350 temples and lively atmosphere, but above all the hub for organizing and setting off on numerous excursions and treks in this part of the country.

Kamphaeng Phet ★★★
A UNESCO World Heritage Site linked to Sukhothai, the archaeological site is home to numerous temples, stupas, and Buddhas.

Khao Phra Wihan ★★
A Khmer site known for its temples and stupas. It also serves as the gateway to Preah Vihear, a UNESCO-listed temple in Cambodia claimed by Thailand. Under normal circumstances, it can be visited from either Thailand or Cambodia.

Lampang ★
It's the third-largest city in northern Thailand. For tourists, it's known for its temples.

Mae Hong Son ★
While the main town itself has only limited appeal, it’s an excellent starting point for exploring the stunning surrounding landscapes (including several caves and waterfalls) and local cultures and traditions.

Mukdahan ★
Aside from its 66-metre-high observation tower, Mukdahan has little tourist appeal. However, since Savannakhet (Laos) lies directly opposite on the other bank of the Mekong, many travellers heading to Laos overland pass through here.

Nong Khai ★
The city is known for Sala Keoku, a stunning sculpture park with Buddhist and Hindu influences. Vientiane, the Laotian capital, is just across the Mekong, so many travelers heading to Laos by land pass through Nong Khai.

Phanom Rung ★★
This Khmer site in Isaan is one of the most significant and best-preserved in Thailand.

Phimai ★★
The small town is home to one of the country’s most important Khmer temples (and its museum), Prasat Hin Phimai, built in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Phitsanulok ★★
Several temples and historical sites in this town in northern Thailand, halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Phrae ★
A few temples and historical sites are worth seeing in the city.

Sakon Nakhon ★
This city in northern Isaan is known for its temples, including those made of wax during certain festivals.

Si Satchanalai ★★★
Like Sukhothai, this ancient city of the Sukhothai Kingdom and its ruins, grouped within the historical park of the same name, are also UNESCO-listed.

Sukhothai ★★★★
Once the first capital of Siam in the 13th century, Sukhothai is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area still features numerous ruins that, thanks to their surroundings, make it one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in this part of Asia.

That Phanom ★★
The small town is home to one of the country’s largest Buddhist temples, Wat Phra That Phanom.

Golden Triangle ★★★★
This mountainous region in the far north is traditionally an opium-producing area but also a major tourist destination. In addition to several museums and monuments, the Golden Triangle offers opportunities for boat trips on the Mekong and, above all, treks through stunning landscapes to discover local cultures such as the Akha, Hmong, and Karen peoples.

Udon Thani ★
The largest city in northern Isaan is mainly used as a base for visiting the UNESCO site of Ban Chiang.

Natural Heritage

Doi Inthanon National Park ★★
The country's highest point (2,565 m) and a national park, Doi Inthanon is renowned for its flora and birdlife, as well as its trekking opportunities through beautiful landscapes featuring waterfalls.

Khao Yai National Park ★★★
This vast park in Isaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with the Dong Phaya Yen mountains). It is renowned for its flora and fauna, including numerous bird species, monkeys, as well as bears, elephants, and tigers. Visitors can hike through stunning forests and waterfalls, and also enjoy rafting and canoeing.

Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park ★★
In beautiful landscapes ideal for trekking, this park is home to a fairly rich "reconstructed" wildlife (tigers, leopards, bears, monkeys, birds). In the 1970s/80s, the area was also a battleground between the army and communist guerrillas, and several historical remnants from that era are still visible in and around the park.

Thung Yai and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries ★★
Originally two sites combined to form one of the largest protected areas in Southeast Asia. The entire region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to beautiful waterfalls and rich flora, the sanctuary is home to many animals, including tigers, leopards, and elephants.