Ever Heard Of Thai Winter? These 5 Gems in Thailand Are A MUST-Visit Before 2018 Ends!

Yes, Thailand Winter is a thing! Although there’s no snow, November until February is the coolest season you’ll experience in our neighbouring country up north where humidity would be dropping to almost 60 per cent. That’s why Thai winter season is the best time to pack your bags and head north for a Siamese adventure!

Forget Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket and other mainstream destinations, instead, take advantage of the cool weather to visit these hidden gems for an unbelievable experience you can’t find anywhere else in the world!

1. Mae Hong Son

Source: Thetrippacker

Mae Hong Son is a mountainous province in northern Thailand, bordering Myanmar. Often called “The land of 3 mists”, you can find hill tribe villages and great off-beat adventure opportunities here!

What to do:

• Trek the surrounding mountains with a local guide
• Walk across the beautiful 900-metres-long Su Tong Pae Bamboo Bridge, which joins Kung Mai Sak with the temple Wat Pu Sama
• Visit Ban Rak Tai, a picturesque village high in the mountains near the Myanmar border
• Stand in awe of Pha Sua Waterfall, which is dubbed the most beautiful waterfall in Thailand!

 

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2. Chiang Rai

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Situated on the Kok River basin, Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand. Mostly mountainous, it reaches Mae Khong River to the north and is located inside the ‘golden triangle’, a place where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.

What to do:

• Visit historic temples and museums such as Wat Rong Suea Ten, Wat Rong Khun, Wat Ming Meuang, Wat Phra Kaeo and others!
• Trek across the Lion Hill Cave, which has a three-chambered cavern with each having a natural skylight at its apex. Thailand’s largest red fig tree can also be found here!
• Visit the Gate of Siam high up on a mountain where you can see Laos in front of you just across the Mekong River

 

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3. Phetchabun

Source: Youtube

Phetchabun is located in central Thailand in the Pa Sak River valley surrounded by mountains in the east and west. It’s famous for its national parks, waterfalls and lakes.

What to do:

• Be amazed by the Wat Pha Sorn Kaew temple! Located at an 830-metre peak, it is made from colourful glass with its pagoda being adorned with over 5 million colourful mosaic tiles and pottery items!
• Go camping and enjoy breathtaking views from Phu Tub Berk, the tallest mountain in the region at almost 1,800 metres!
• Take a stroll through nature at the Tat Mok National Park and the Khao Kho National Park

 

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4. Loei

Source: Youtube

Loei is one of the most sparsely populated provinces in Thailand that is dotted with mountains with the Loei river flowing through the province.

What to do:

• See the amazing Phi Ta Kon traditional festival where every year, revellers make and wear traditional masks in a parade in the main street of Dan Sai
• Float around on a bamboo houseboat on a reservoir lake while eating traditional local food in Huai Krating!
• Climb to the top of Phu Bo Bit mountain to enjoy a spectacular 360° view!
• Be amazed by the natural rock formations in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary!

 

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5. Chiang Mai

Source: Chiangmaitraveller

Thailand’s second-largest province, Chiang Mai is located in the country’s north where it is surrounded by the mountains of the Thai Highlands. In fact, Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon is located here!

What to do: 

• Visit the magnificent Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a sacred temple on top of the hill forming Doi Suthep mountain
• Explore more than 300 temples in and around Chiang Mai City such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang and more!
• Enjoy the wonders of nature at the Doi Inthanon National Park, most notably its beautiful sakura flowers!

 

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Besides Doi Inthanon National Park, you can also watch sakura flowers and cherry blossoms at several hidden places throughout Thailand during Thai winter such as:

• Khun Chang Khian Highland Agriculture Research Centre, Chiang Mai
• Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station, Chiang Mai
• Phu Lom Lo, Chiang Rai
• Khun Sathan National Park, Nan

 

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Wowwww #khunchangkhian #chiangmai #thailand

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Who would’ve thought our upstairs neighbour has a lot of hidden gems just a stone’s throw from us? They even have sakura flowers weh! Thai winter is coming too so they’ll be in full bloom. Plus, Thailand is so near that if we could walk there, we would have jalan already!

But why walk when you can fly? Especially when AirAsia currently has awesome promos for Malaysians to fly to these amazing Thai destinations!

Kay lah, I’m booking my tickets now. Will you be joining me?  Don’t say we bojio! Check out the latest promos by AirAsia here.