Amazing Thailand
Your guide to some of Thailand’s biggest cities from Thailand PCVs.
Gretchen Evans, 136 YinD
"Amazing Thailand" is the official, globally recognized slogan and brand of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) used to promote the country as a premier travel destination. It is also often used by Thais and Volunteers alike as the punchline for when things are done the “Thai way”. For example, as a Volunteer, when students tell you class is canceled because there's a temple festival you didn't know about, the default response is no other than, “Amazing Thailand!”.
Sarcasm aside, the TAT has splurged on a star-studded marketing campaign this past year. The faces of Thai stars like Lisa from the K-Pop group Blackpink and famous Thai actor Blue Pongtiwat can be seen plastered on just about every square inch of every skyscraper in every Thai city. An important aspect of the campaign aims to invite tourists to connect with the traditions, cultural experiences, and natural life all around the country. While this invitation is more than welcomed, Thailand PCVs are more than just tourists. We have the opportunity to explore our host country’s cities further, and we want to give you the inside scoop!
Keep reading to unlock your 2026-2027 Thailand itinerary.
Bangkok
Noah Albanese, 136 TESS
Bangkok has a rich history of traders and immigrants living amongst the Thai locals. Since the dawn of Bangkok in the 19th century, traders from Europe have been coming to its shores to trade spices and spread Catholicism. Some, like the Portuguese, stayed in Bangkok rather than returning home. A few weeks ago, I visited Little Portugal where this history can still be observed.
To get to Little Portugal, from the Peace Corps Office, cross Krung Thon Bridge and walk downstairs to the Saphan Krung Thon dock. From there, take the orange boat down south for 20-30 minutes. You can go past the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and feel the cool breeze of the Chao Phaya River. Arrive at Memorial Bridge dock and walk across Phra Phutthayotfa Bridge. After walking along the river for another 10-15 minutes north, you should arrive at Kudi Chin (Little Portugal).
Little Portugal is quite a small community. The neighborhood is a maze of alleyways that slithers around a beautiful Catholic Church which sits at the center (Santa Cruz Church). At first glance it seems like a regular neighborhood in Bangkok: full of cats, lush greenery, and creative wall paintings. However, when observed closely, one can begin to see the rich history of this neighborhood. For example, in addition to the church, the schools in this community are catholic. In the “canom” (snack) stores, there are special desserts that look like a combination of a Thai “canom” and a muffin (they literally call it ‘canom farang’).
Kudichin is a 200 year-old neighborhood which was gifted to the Portuguese after their service in Thailand’s war with the Khmer. In the beginning, there were other ethnic neighborhoods here such as the Chinese and Japanese. However, as all the “farangs” in this neighborhood married Thai locals, they eventually became Thai themselves. Two hundred years later, this Portuguese community was the only one in Kudichin that retained its cultural heritage through their food, their catholicism, and their sense of community that withstood the test of time. Most of this cultural history can be experienced by heading to the Baan Kudichin Museum. If your meager Peace Corps allowance allows, end your trip by grabbing lunch at the Grandma’s Thai / Portuguese Home Food Restaurant to experience Portuguese food. Enjoy exploring this slice of Portuguese-Bangkok.
Lindsey Morrow, 136 TESS
As a volunteer, I have made the journey to Bangkok numerous times. And each time I go, I like to keep the trip fresh with different cafes, stores, restaurants, and experiences. As a result, I would say I’m decently well-versed in traversing the streets of Bangkok. Here are some of my favorite spots from the past year and a half.
GW Tea House: This tea house specializes in Taiwanese teas, including bubble tea and pot tea. It’s a modest and relaxed space within walking distance of Lumphini Park. In a surprising twist, it’s also relatively affordable, with a pot of tea priced around 150-200 baht with water refills. I would also recommend exploring the area around the tea house!
SYDNY BAGELS Charoen Krung:The bagels from this place are some of the best I’ve had in Thailand. Definitely not cheap at around 300 baht a pop, but in my opinion, totally worth the price if you have money to spend. Their latte is pretty good as well. The atmosphere inside is modern with a splash of retro goodness. This bagel shop is conveniently located near Chinatown, so if you’re in the area and craving some bagels, be sure to drop in!
Baan Saen Saep: This cafe is a recent discovery for me. Built within an old warehouse, it’s a huge open-air space brimming with greenery and character. I noticed it’s a popular spot for locals and foreigners alike to work or chat with friends. I personally enjoyed their blueberry muffin and latte, but they offer a variety of other beverages and pastries as well.
GalileOasis Art Space: The GalileOasis Art Space, or as my friends and I lovingly call it, the place with the Zine store, hosts creative stores, a rotating gallery, a cafe, restaurants, and an ice cream shop. Nestled within the confines of an alleyway, it’s the perfect spot to sip a coffee and check out some local shops. The cafe, Piccolo Vicolo, is one of my favorites in Bangkok. It has impeccable interior design, featuring stunning green glass light fixtures, tiled walls, a huge glass window, and plants galore. I’ll be stealing some ideas for my own home for sure. If you can’t get a seat inside, fret not, for there is a lovely sitting space outside as well. I would totally recommend checking this area out!
Dasa Book Cafe: No pictures of this one, unfortunately, but if you’re getting into reading again, I would highly recommend heading to this used bookstore. They specialize in English titles, but they also have a fair amount of non-English books if you’re trying to pick up another language. Most importantly, the prices are fair and the selection is vast. A few books I’ve picked up here are Orlando: A Biography by Virginia Woolf, Amrita by Banana Yoshimoto, and Oliver Twist by Mark Twain. They carry just about every genre you could want, so I would suggest taking some time to really peruse their shelves. I guarantee you’ll find something that interests you.
ANH KAFE: If you’ve got an itch for Vietnamese coffee, this is my absolute favorite place to go. It’s both affordable and tasty, but make sure to go in the morning because it’s some seriously strong coffee. They also have good and cheap banh mi’s. The last time I went, I got both a banh mi and white coffee for under 200 baht. Having tasted Vietnamese coffee in Vietnam, I can tell you that this is the good stuff.
A Clay Cafe: While this is definitely a cute cafe, the main draw here is the clay workshop that they offer daily. You can choose to either paint a shop made piece or commit to the whole process and make your own piece to paint. Whichever you choose, it’s a great experience! When I went, I painted a little dish that I use as a watercolor palette. If you’ve got some time to spare, try it out! This cafe is conveniently located right off the BTS Chong Nonsi Station. It’s in the Silom area, so stroll around and see what other interesting places you can find.
Garcon dept Songwat:I f you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, you should definitely know about the famous Songwat road. Walking along that road, you’ll find a variety of local stores and cafes, and my personal favorite to browse in is the Garcon dept Songwat. They have clothes, stationary, bags, art, etcetera. I picked up a super cute red and blue bead necklace while I was there for 380 baht (of which I’ve received many compliments on). If you’re interested in fashion or artsy goods, this is a great place to start.
BARTELS Asok: I’ve truly lost count of the number of times I’ve been to BARTELS Asok. BARTELS is the absolute first place I go to for a meal whenever I’m in Bangkok. It’s a bit of an addiction at this point. If you’re craving excellent sandwiches and a quality yogurt/smoothie bowl, please go here. Their sandwiches are genuinely incredible and worth every baht. I personally go for the Cubano or their grilled cheese, but you can’t go wrong with any one of their sandwiches. I typically go to the Asok branch because I prefer its interior layout and design, but go to any branch you want. The quality is the same across the board.
And that’s it! I hope this list is beneficial for your adventures in Bangkok. Bangkok is a lush and plentiful city, so never stop exploring its dense, winding streets. You may stumble across something exciting.
But the fun continues! Here’s a couple honorable mentions that I haven’t had the chance to go to, but wanted to share with y’all!
Vinyl & Toys: A bit out of the way, but has a generous selection of vinyls! It’s also in a neighborhood of Bangkok I’m sure you’ve never been before.
PIGUP Cafe & More: This is a vintage clothing store and cafe with a maximalist, retro feel. They also carry vinyls and other goods. It’s on the Sukhumvit line, so it’s super convenient to get to.
Wallflowers Cafe: This cafe has been on my list for ages, but for some reason perpetually out of reach. It’s quite a unique cafe, offering tasty drinks and impeccable looking desserts. If you drop by in the evening, you can listen to some live music while you eat your pastries.
Happy travelling!
Ubon Ratchathani
Tucker Strauch, 136 YinD
Ubon Ratchathani was somewhat of a sparkling oasis following a trek through the desert for Ella and I, as it was the destination of our first weekend getaway two months after arriving to site. Little did we know at the time that its relaxed, unassuming, yet active atmosphere perfectly highlights the positive qualities of both Isaan culture and city life. While there are plenty of great Thai food options in Ubon, we had to first satisfy our cravings for non-Thai cuisine. We certainly found that at Red Rabbit Pizza Napoli where we got our fix of delicious wood-fired pizza and a good selection of wine. Another restaurant that we stumbled upon is called Yojou Izakaya Ubon where we enjoyed Japanese barbecue and frosty 1-liter draft beer mugs at prices too good to pass up. Lastly, while walking home one night, we decided to stop at a speakeasy cocktail bar called The Closet. After walking through a literal closet, we entered a dimly lit bar with exotic drinks made to represent different textiles. Both extremely unique and delicious, the cocktails are well worth their 300 baht price.
Beyond the food scene, Ella and I were sure to hit the local hotspots such as the Talat Yai Night Market. This market, stretching along the Mun River, has all of the usual Thai street market classics as well as a large cheap clothing section. Some people wander through the lit-up market while others sit at peaceful tables painting pottery and eating Isaan food. During the daytime, Wat Phra Nong Bua is a must-visit, with its stunning white and gold pyramid-style chedi and giant green naga serpents guarding the entrance.
While abundant with delicious food and popular attractions, Ubon’s relaxed and authentic Isaan vibe is what really keeps us coming back. It took a couple of visits to gain an appreciation for the real nature of Ubon. Even though golfing isn’t exactly an authentic Isaan experience, the Wing 21 Golf Club perfectly captures the laid back spirit of Ubon. Located within an airforce base, Wing 21 is the perfect cheap, yet fun and challenging, 18-hole golf course. The first time that we went, we were paired up with a couple of caddies who weren’t golfers themselves, but could certainly count our numerous strokes and keep us entertained with some lively chatter in the Isaan dialect.
Perhaps my favorite spot in all of Ubon is the Thung Sri Mueang public park. Every evening until late into the night, people of all ages gather at the park to play pickup basketball, run laps, do dance aerobics or just to relax. One morning, Ella and I found an outdoor gym which we learned was maintained by a group of local volunteers. Every time that I have gone to the park, I have been welcomed into pickup sports games and have had interesting conversations with a variety of people who are consistently warm and genuine. Ubon Ratchatani has the restaurants, markets, and attractions you'd expect from any provincial city. What makes it special, however, is the way people share public spaces and welcome others into them. I feel very fortunate to have found my home away from home.
Hannah Fairweather, 137 TESS
When I first arrived in Bangkok, I loved it immediately. I’m someone who prefers heat over cold, so arriving in January after leaving a snowy, frigid Maryland felt like a dream. But more than the weather, it was the energy of the city that hooked me. Bangkok is incredibly alive compared to DC or Arlington, VA. While Bangkok remains one of my favorite cities, today I want to talk about a quieter gem in Issan: Ubon Ratchathani.
Having visited Khon Kaen (another popular Issan city), I can confidently say that Ubon Ratchathani is on another level. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I created an entirely new Google account just to review places around the city and keep track of all the spots I loved.
One of the first places my host family took me was the Riverside Walking Street. It has a little bit of everything - food, desserts, crafts, clothes, etc. I could easily spend hours wandering around exploring the stalls. The market sits along the Mun River, which is also a beautiful spot. I was lucky enough to see the sunrise during the NAEW UBON 10K, when the race route took us across the bridge overlooking the river.
While there are plenty of amazing Thai food options, Baan Khao Hom Indian Cuisine served some of the best palak paneer and garlic naan I've had in Thailand. Another standout was Yotei Sushi. The rainbow roll was delicious and easily one of my favorite meals in the city. If you like checking out coffee shops, GODFATHER COFFEE is incredibly cool. It feels like you're walking into a nightclub at 8 am but, instead of ordering a cocktail, you're getting a matcha.
Lastly, as someone who loves getting manicures, I have to recommend Madam Nails. I got a full set with nail art for just 600 baht (about $19). I left extremely happy and received tons of compliments from both my co-teachers and the kids at school. I’m hoping the kids think “Teacher Hannah always has beautiful nails.”
I can’t wait for the Candle Festival in July, which I've heard so many great things about!
Surat Thani
Tal Carmel, 136 YinD
When thinking of Thailand the first places people usually think of are Bangkok and the islands, and with good reason;they’re great. They are metropolitan, convenient, accessible and catered to tourism. But they’re also price inflated, over-crowded, and too well-known.
While there is nothing wrong with a tourist destination—I enjoy visiting them myself—they’re not where I go when I want the benefits of a popular destination combined with an authentic Thai feel and less, well, tourists.
I go to Surat Thani City.
If you’ve ever been to Thailand and gone to the islands off the eastern shore, the name might ring a bell. It’s where you most likely hopped on your ferry to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao. What you might not realize is that Surat Thani City itself is a wonderful destination, and one that is generally overlooked by tourists.
Running along the Ta Pi river, Surat Thani feels like Bangkok before it became the tourist metropolis we know it to be today. It has all of the accessibility, malls, restaurants, and bars of a big city, but without the fast-paced, over-priced, overly Westernized saturation that people don’t realize dominates cities like Bangkok, Phuket, or Koh Samui.
To phrase it differently, when I want arguably the best pesto pasta I’ve ever had—coming from someone who rarely orders pesto in the first place— I don’t go to Bangkok. I go to Milano’s. A tiny hole in the wall restaurant opposite the riverwalk with a view of the famous Clock Tower and Saphan Narit (a really cute walking area with lights and shopping stalls). When I want a fun night out with live music and great vibes, I go to Bloom URT. From the outside it looks like an inconspicuous,quiet dive bar with a pool table, but inside it’s got disco lights, a stage and tables upon tables of locals. You want bougie cafes? Surat Thani’s got you there. This is a city that looks like a traditional Thai city during the day, but comes alive at night.
Having lived in Thailand for over a year and a half now, Surat Thani City has not only grown on me, it has become my safe haven, my reprieve from volunteer life, and very likely, my favorite city in Thailand. As I share my favorite city with you, all I ask is that, when you come(as you absolutely should) please leave it as you found it. Don’t ruin this perfect Thai city, enjoy it as it is, take your pictures, drop your geo-tags, and clean up on your way out.
Rayong
Seón Tromble, 137 TESS
Pattaya’s little sister, Rayong
There are two Thailands.
One is flashy, expensive, and fetishized. This is where you find the walking streets crammed with bars, tattoo parlors, and girls holding signs for drinks and a show. This is home to the resorts and flocks of middle aged tourists of dubious motives. This is Pattaya. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a wild night as much as the next guy and I do think Pattaya could be fun in a Vegas type of way. One night is good, two nights is perfect, three is too many.
The other Thailand is much quieter. The beachfront restaurants and bars are replaced with wooden shacks on the sand, where locals cook up the fresh catch of the day. Resorts are replaced by spread out hotels and open-spaces. There is little in the way of a crowd, and less still in the way of foreigners. This is Thailand for Thais. This is Rayong.
Now, I am no expert on either of these towns. I visited Rayong for a few days with my host family during the last school break. I spent maybe an hour in Pattaya as we stopped to see the sights while passing through on the way to Rayong.
Maybe my opinion of Pattaya is completely wrong. I’ll admit, it’s based entirely on a gut reaction from my short time there. I tend to be apprehensive of resorts and overtly tourist destinations already, so I’m coming from a biased place. I’ll stop speaking on what I don’t know now.
I won’t lie and say Rayong is a beach unlike you’ll find anywhere else. It’s not. It’s a normal beach —the tide is low and there aren't great waves, and you won’t find crazy clubs or restaurants that’ll knock your socks off.
What you will find is a slow-paced relaxed alternative to Pattaya. The kind of vacation destination where you can drink a beer with your feet in the sand, read a book, and go for a walk without weaving through a crowd of chairs and umbrellas. You won’t find a gourmet meal, but you can get good, fresh seafood. It’s nothing spectacular, but it is relaxing.
It is also the birthplace of Thailand’s most famous poet and playwright: Sunthorn Phu, “the Shakespeare of Thailand.” There’s a monument to him where you can walk through statues of characters from his works, and see a metal wall depicting some of his iconic scenes.
Is it a destination you travel halfway around the world to visit? Unless you’re a Sunthorn Phu enthusiast, probably not. But for me—living with a host family with small children, suspicious of the tourist scene, and looking for a vacation that will leave me feeling refreshed—it was perfect.
So, if any of this resonates with you, consider Pattaya’s quiet little sister, Rayong, as an alternative.
Chiang Mai
Hana Walsh, 137 YinD
I Have Attachment Issues, And It’s With Chiang Mai
If Bangkok is too gray and crowded, and Phuket is too expensive and hot—might I suggest the wonderful Chiang Mai.
Sure, Bangkok is cool, but honestly, it kind of feels like any other big city in the world. You’ve got your rooftop bars, mega malls, drag shows, and a few local markets—but that’s kind of it. Same with Phuket and Krabi. Beautiful beaches, tropical drinks, fun water activities… but super expensive (at least compared to northern Thailand), and unless the weather is perfect and you’re actively on the beach, there’s honestly not that much to do.
But Chiang Mai. Oh, my dear sweet love that I call Chiang Mai—there is something to do for everyone, at any time of day, during any season.
And more than that, you’re not just in another city or another beach town that could be replicated somewhere else in the world. When you’re in Chiang Mai, you genuinely feel like you’re in Thailand, while still having access to all your creature comforts.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Chiang Mai three separate times now, and every single time I leave feeling like there’s still more to explore.
Chiang Mai is special because it blends the modern tourist attractions you’d find in Bangkok with the traditional culture of more rural areas of Thailand. One moment, you’re at a Muay Thai fight placing bets on your favorite fighters, and the next moment, you’re at a Buddhist meditation retreat trying to find your zen.
There’s truly something for everyone there:
Nature activities like (ethical!) elephant sanctuaries, bamboo rafting, and hiking
Western food ranging from burgers to spaghetti to frozen yogurt
Tons of daytime activities at Baan Kang Wat (Artist’s Village), like custom leather stamping, silver jewelry making, glass blowing, postcard making, art classes, and more
Tons of nighttime activities and lively locations The nightlife scene includes like Muay Thai fights, night markets, jazz bars, rooftop bars, and even a few “club-like” bars
Quirky cafés like capybara cafés or cat cafés where you can hang out with your favorite animals while sipping coffee or tea
Malls and boutiques with the cutest clothes
Small streets lined with local markets showcasing all your favorite Thai kanoms (snacks)
Beauty and spa treatments like massages, facials, nail salons, and hair appointments
And on top of all that, the downtown area itself—Old Town—is charming without feeling overwhelmingly huge.
Old Town is built inside four ancient gates that form a square around the city. Inside, it’s packed with tourists and locals alike, all squeezed between cafés, hostels, temples, markets, bars, and random little alleyways you accidentally wander into and then immediately fall in love with.
Honestly, you could spend a full week in Old Town alone and still not experience everything it has to offer. But if you venture outside Old Town, you’ll find even more: nature excursions, waterfalls, shopping malls, mountain cafés, and nearby villages.
So now that I’ve sold you on the city, let me give you my personal recommendations.
Where to Stay
Every time I’ve gone to Chiang Mai, I’ve stayed in Old Town, and personally, I think that’s the move. There are hundreds of hostels in Chiang Mai, and I’ve stayed in four different ones now. Some were super social, some were quieter. Some had AC, some barely had functioning fans. But my personal favorite hostel, and the one I’ll probably keep booking from now on, is Le Light House & Hostel.
It’s located near Chiang Mai Gate and only about a five-minute walk from the famous Saturday Night Walking Street. There’s also a really nice air-conditioned gym directly next door if you like lifting weights while traveling. The location is honestly perfect because you can explore most of Old Town by foot, which saves you a ton of money on Grabs and taxis over time. And despite being close to all the tourist attractions, it’s not a crazy party hostel. The downstairs area has a cozy little café that serves pastries, coffee, tea, and beer throughout the day, plus free water for guests.
The rooms themselves are on the second and third floors and include both female-only dorms and mixed dorms, and they have nice, cold air conditioning. The beds are also wider and longer than your average hostel bed, and they provide towels, which again, isn’t always guaranteed in the hostel world. It was genuinely one of the most comfortable hostel stays I’ve ever had.
But here’s the best part: it only costs around 200–300 baht per night depending on when you book.
So yes, that’s my personal hostel recommendation. But honestly, regardless of what accommodation you choose, I would strongly recommend staying somewhere in Old Town. I’ve traveled with friends who booked outside Old Town because it was “cheaper,” but then they ended up spending way more money constantly booking Grabs everywhere.
For booking hostels, I’d recommend Hostelworld. It’s not just a booking app—it’s basically social media for solo travelers. When you book a hostel, you automatically get added to group chats with other travelers staying in that city. You can see people’s profiles, where they’re from, where they’ve traveled, and even DM people directly or make smaller group chats. You can also see what events are trending around the city.
And before you ask—yes, many people use Hostelworld as an unofficial dating app.
What to Do
This is where it gets fun because the opportunities are genuinely endless.
If I could design my ideal weekend in Chiang Mai, here’s what it would look like.
Day 1
Check into your hostel. Sit in the downstairs café for a bit. Charge your phone. Recover from whatever chaotic transportation experience got you to Chiang Mai in the first place.
Then go explore Old Town by foot. Honestly, Chiang Mai is one of those cities where wandering around aimlessly somehow becomes the activity itself. There’s a sidewalk that loops around Old Town next to the moat, and I’d recommend just walking around the square and venturing inward anytime something catches your eye.
Eventually, grab some food. There are tons of little hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurants, but if you’re missing comfort food, Chiang Mai’s foreign food scene is surprisingly good. I’ve had great burgers, Italian food, Mexican food, Indian food, and salads.
Then head back to the hostel for a bit before experiencing some nightlife. If you’re there on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, definitely check out one of the night markets. Different markets are open on different days, so make sure you look up which ones are happening while you’re there.
And then hit the bars. Even if you don’t drink, there are tons of live music bars and chill places to hang out. But if you want the classic chaotic backpacker nightlife experience, your first stop has to be Zoe in Yellow.
It’s loud, crowded, sweaty, and slightly overwhelming but in an exciting way. There’s beer pong, outdoor seating, tons of travelers, and several connected bars all packed into one little area. There’s even a karaoke bar nearby, which is one of my favorite stops.
Day 2
You might wake up tired or slightly hungover from the night before. That’s okay. Heal yourself with a nice bowl of noodle soup or a fresh fruit smoothie and keep it moving.
Now you’ve got the full day to explore. If you really want to go all out, book an ethical elephant sanctuary tour, bamboo rafting trip, cooking class, or some kind of nature excursion. A lot of travelers also organize group trips to Pai through Hostelworld, so if you’re traveling solo, remember: Hostelworld is your best friend.
But if all that sounds too expensive or exhausting, book a Grab to Baan Kang Wat (Artist’s Village).
I could genuinely spend an entire day there. You can make metal rings, bracelets, and keychains for like 50 baht each. You can engrave leather journals, make postcards, paint ceramics, or do a million other artsy little activities.
And if you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend visiting Chocolate Culture Club.
Yes, it’s expensive by Thai standards, but it’s so worth it. The sourdough chocolate chip cookies are incredible.
By now, you’re probably exhausted, whether you spent the day hiking through nature or sitting peacefully making little arts-and-crafts projects. Either way, head back to the hostel, shower, recharge, and prepare for Night #2.
A different night market will probably be open, so go check that out. And instead of doing bars again, switch things up and go to a Muay Thai fight. There are a few stadiums people usually go to, but I found the cheapest tickets at Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium—around 600 baht—and honestly, it was totally worth it.
Day 3
If this is just a weekend trip, this is probably your last day.
(So sad)
At this point, you can either cram in one final activity, like visiting that café you’ve had saved on TikTok for the past three months, or you can do what I usually do and just wander around the city one last time.
At some point, though, reality returns and you have to check out of your hostel. And then comes the universal traveler problem: what do you do for several hours before your transportation home while dragging around a massive backpack or suitcase?
Personally, my favorite solutions are:
Hanging out in a café
Getting a massage or beauty treatment
Going to Central Chiang Mai mall for shopping and air conditioning
And then finally, you board your plane/train/bus back to site feeling refreshed, happy, and already planning your next trip back.
Closing Thoughts
As you can probably tell by now, there’s an endless amount of stuff to do in Chiang Mai. I didn’t even mention ziplining, national parks, caves, Sticky Waterfall, or the famous Capybara Café. (Although, to be fair, multiple tourists told me Sticky Waterfall was overrated because you basically stand in a giant line waiting to take the same photo as everyone else.)
But honestly, what I can’t fully explain in this article is the feeling you get when you’re there. When I’m in Chiang Mai, I really remember that I live in Thailand. That I moved across the world to this place that somehow no longer feels so unfamiliar.
Bangkok feels like a city. Phuket feels like a beach vacation. But Chiang Mai feels like Thailand.
