Natural Wonders in Northern Thailand For A Breath of Fresh Air

With Thailand planning to reopen for wider tourism this October, nature lovers might finally be able to get away for a breath of fresh air. Skip hotspots like Phuket or Koh Samui and immerse into the natural wonders of Northern Thailand – a region rugged with majestic waterfalls, limestone caves, and the country’s highest mountain. Whether it’s stunning scenery or adrenaline-packed adventures, you won’t be short of thrills. Since looking for accommodation can be a hassle, we’ve also given you the lowdown on where to stay for each spot. Oh, and be sure to make your bookings via Booking.com – UOB Cardmembers can get up to 10% cashback!

 

Phu Chi Fa Forest Park, Chiang Rai

Phu Chi Fa is far from Thailand’s highest peak, but it can easily sweep the crown for having the dreamiest sights. Set along the Laos border, this 1,442m-high mountain is part of the lush Phi Pan Nam range. With cool weather all year round and wild orchids to admire along your way, trekking here is half the beauty. If you manage to summit at sunrise, you’ll be met with otherworldly views – a sea of morning mist far below you, through which peek smaller, forest-rich peaks. It’s like gazing out over the heavens.

Where to Stay: While there are a handful of homestays in the area, you’ll find it more convenient (and comfy) to stay nearer Chiang Rai’s city center. Less than two hours’ drive away from Phu Chi Fa, The Riverie by Kathatani offers plush comforts with dashes of traditional Thai charm. Perched along the Kok River, it’s a luxe launchpad for exploring Chiang Rai’s iconic mountains and hill tribe villages.

 

Mae Ping National Park, Lamphun

Sprawling over 1,000 square kilometers, Mae Ping National Park is a wonderland of waterfalls, rapids, and wildlife-rich forest. The best way to begin exploring is by water – rent a raft and float your way down the Ping River, whose banks brim with stunning sights. Soak up the serenity of Kaeng Ko, a vast lake backdropped by verdant peaks; then make a splash at Koh Luang Waterfall, a seven-tiered fall cascading down limestone cliffs. This area is packed with intriguing limestone caves as well, in particular Yang Wi Cave – home to glittering crystals and curtains of stalactites.

Where to Stay: Prefer the suite life over camping out? Less than a half-hour’s drive away, Funwan Hotel offers air-conditioned bungalows with all your essential frills – free wifi, private bathrooms, and breakfast. 

 

Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai

Photo courtesy of Kosin Sukhum on Wikimedia Commons

 

No list of Thailand’s natural wonders is complete without Doi Inthanon, the country’s highest peak. Standing tall at 2,565 metres, the ‘Roof of Thailand’ – as it’s affectionately dubbed – poses a rugged challenge for hikers and mountain bikers. Needless to say, it’s a goldmine of scenic gems – each January, the forest canopy turns pretty in pink as clusters of sakuras bloom. Home to over 500 bird species, it’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise. If you’re hiking to the summit, the Doi Inthanon National Park Day Tour (THB1,260 on KKday) guides you along the best scenic spots. UOB Cardmembers booking through KKday can enjoy up to 7% off tour tickets!

Where to Stay: Embark on your exploring in style from Doi Inthanon Riverside Resort, a luxe waterfront lodge on the fringes of Doi Inthanon National Park. The resort offers free bikes to get your adventures rolling; come evening, you can look forward to tippling up at the bar and a dip in the outdoor pool. 

 

Tha Pai Hot Springs, Mae Hong Son

Need a dose of natural wellness? The mountainous province of Mae Hong Son is well known as a hot spring heaven, chief among them Tha Pai Hot Spring. The waters here clock in around 80°C, cascading down small waterfalls and into peaceful bathing pools. Set in Huai Nam Dang National Park, this natural spa is ringed by lush teak forest all around – you couldn’t wish for a more serene spot. Once you’ve dipped your fill, hit the park’s scenic trails or go whitewater rafting on the Mae Taeng River.

Where to Stay: A ten-minute drive from the hot springs lies Kalm Pai Resort, nestled amidst tranquil rice paddies. Their rustic bungalows offer a taste of country life at its most picturesque, with some suites even featuring private hot spring tubs – perfect for soaking away the sunset. 

 

Thi Lo Su Waterfall, Tak

Photo courtesy of Hibiscusfive on Wikimedia Commons

 

Deep within the pristine jungles of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, near the Burmese border, lies Thi Lo Su – Thailand’s tallest waterfall. Getting here isn’t for the faint of heart – while you can trek through the dense forests, the popular route for thrill-seekers is whitewater rafting. Winding through the sanctuary, the mighty Mae Klong River churns with Class IV and V rapids nearer the falls. Thi Lo Su itself is nothing short of jaw-dropping, spanning 300m in height and nearly 500m in width. Splash about in the pools at the bottom, or dive in from the lower levels – if you dare.

Where to Stay: If you can’t get enough of water wonders, Thee Lor Su Riverside Resort offers air-conditioned comfort an hour’s drive from the waterfall. Its charming cabins open onto breezy porches, and come fully equipped with private bathrooms and flatscreen TVs. 

 

Tham Yai Nam Nao, Phetchabun

Photo courtesy of Phetchabun Geopark

 

Tham Lot is Thailand’s largest and most iconic cave, but dig deeper and you’ll find plenty more under-the-radar adventures in the north. Stretching inside a limestone mountain in Nam Nao National Park, Tham Yai Nam Nao is teeming with life beneath its 955-metre-tall ceiling. Thousands of fish flicker in its swift-flowing stream, while rare bat species such as Marshall’s horseshoe bat nest in its shadows. Artificial lighting has been installed in certain sections, all the better to admire the cave’s magnificent masses of stalactites and stalagmites.

Where to Stay: Why camp when you can glamp? Snooze under the stars at luxury tent accommodation Behind Khaokho, while enjoying creature comforts like plush beds, fully equipped bathrooms, and free wifi. The property is a 90-minute drive from Nam Nao National Park, and free bikes are on offer to fuel your exploring.

 

The Grand Canyon, Chiang Mai

Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Water Park

 

Its name might sound audacious, but Chiang Mai’s Grand Canyon more than lives up to its American counterpart. Once used as a limestone quarry, this gorge makes a striking sight with its sheer orange cliffs, plunging into emerald waters. It also houses possibly the world’s most unique waterpark – an inflatable playground of thrills from slides to obstacle courses and even a zipline. If you’re craving an adrenaline rush, whizz across the waters on a wakeboard, or take the leap from a 15-meter-high clifftop. UOB Cardmembers can snag up to 7% off on waterpark tickets purchased via KKday.

Where to Stay: A convenient ten-minute stroll from the Grand Canyon, Rice Barn and Rooms is a rustic-chic guesthouse converted from a rice barn. Think quaint teak rooms decked in ethnic-style prints and smart TVs. 

 

Pang Oung Lake, Mae Hong Son

Dubbed the Switzerland of Thailand, Pang Oung Lake might have come straight out of a page from a fairytale. For one, this enchanting lake on the edge of the Thai-Burma border is swimming with black and white swans, and encircled by pine forests – hardly sights you’d expect to see out in nature here. For another, the lake is draped in a dreamy, ethereal mist by sunrise, framing the silhouettes of mountain ranges in the distance. The woods around offer ideal grounds for camping, while the tranquil waters are an open invitation to float your day away.

Where to Stay: Pitching a tent isn’t for everyone, so homestays make a cosy alternative. Perched steps away from the lake is Lung Soi Nguen Homestay, a rustic guesthouse set in lush gardens.

Top Image: Bharath Mohan on Unsplash