-
Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng
On the hill overlooking Wat Chang Lom are the remains of Wat Khao Phanom Phloeng, including a chedi, a large seated Buddha and stone columns that once supported the roof of the wí·hăhn . From here you can make out the general design of the once-great city. The slightly higher hill
-
Tham Khao Bandai
This hillside monastery, 2km west of town, sprawls through several large caverns converted into simple Buddha shrines and meditation rooms. English-speaking guides (100B tip appreciated) lead tours, mainly as a precaution against the monkeys. One cavern contains a significant popul
-
Dusit Zoo
Originally a private botanic garden for Rama V, Dusit Zoo (Suan Sat Dusit or kŏw din ) was opened in 1938 and is now one of the premier zoological facilities in Southeast Asia. Squeezed into the 19 hectares are more than 300 mammals, 200 reptiles and 800 birds, including relatively
-
Doi Muser Hilltribe Cultural Center
At the top of the mountain on the road to Tak is this research and cultural centre where you can visit for the day, or spend the night. Here they grow and sell crops such as tea, coffee, fruits and flowers. Call ahead to find out about seeing a cultural performance. The temperature
-
Sala Mai Thai
A silk-weaving museum 1km west of town where you can learn about the entire silk-making process and even take a turn at a loom. Out back is an exhibition hall showing the wooden contraptions devised to spin, tie-dye and weave silk by hand, and a large machine used in factories. A p
-
Wat Ku Tao
North of the old city, behind the Muang Chiang Mai sports stadium, photogenic Wat Ku Tao dates from 1613 and incorporates many Burmese and Confucian elements. The distinctive chedi is said to resemble a stack of watermelons, hence the name (tao means melon in the Northern Thai dial
-
Wat Pha Tak Sua
The forest wát peering down on the town, Wat Pha Tak Sua lies just 2km away as the crow flies, but its 19km to drive. It has amazing Mekong views; you might see the valley filled with fog on early mornings during the cold season. The footpath used by the monks every morning begins
-
Wat Noen Phra Nao
This forest wát on the south side of town is a respected vipassana (insight meditation) centre on pleasant, tree-shaded grounds. Some extremely ornate temple architecture, including perhaps the most rococo bell tower weve ever seen, stands in contrast with the usual ascetic tone of
-
Khlong Toey Market
This wholesale market, one of the city’s largest, is inevitably the origin of many of the meals you’ll eat during your stay in Bangkok. Although some corners of the market can’t exactly be described as photogenic, youll still want to bring a camera to capture the cheery fishmongers
-
Laman Padi
This somewhat abandoned-feeling ‘ecotourism’ complex comprises rice paddies populated by water buffalo and ducks. Call in advance to arrange a tour to learn about, and even have a hand in, planting rice. There’s also a basic museum dedicated to rice cultivation, a restaurant and Na
-
Tanjung Rhu
On the north coast, Tanjung Rhu is one of Langkawi’s wider and better beaches, fronted by magnificent limestone stacks that bend the ocean into a pleasant bay. On clear days, the sunsets here give the word ‘stunning’ new meaning. The water is shallow, and at low tide you can walk a
-
Secret Viewpoint
For a sensational sunset view that doesnt involve jostling through the crowds at Laem Phromthep, seek out this more secluded spot 1.5km north of the cape on Rte 4233. At the top of the hill there is a turn-off to a small gazebo, where you can sit on the sloping grass while the sun
-
Erawan Museum (Chang Sam Sian)
Located on the way to Ancient City and created by the same visionary, this museum is actually a five-storey sculpture of Erawan, Indra’s three-headed elephant mount from Hindu mythology. The interior is filled with antique sculptures but is most impressive for the stained-glass cei
-
Chaweng Lake
By the light of the harsh daytime sun, Chaweng Lake is an example of everything that is wrong with Samui. The public park is poorly maintained, half constructed and devoid of shade. But come sunset, it springs to life – ordinary Thai life, that is – with aerobics classes in one are
-
Huay Teung Thao Reservoir
For Thais, a reservoir is not just a water store, its a place for some serious R&R. At this expansive body of water just west of town, families gather to swim or splash around by the beach and picnic by the waters edge in elevated bamboo cabins. Its like a day at the beach. To
-
Phra Phitak Chyn Pracha Mansion
The namesake of this once abandoned, ochre-tinted mansion owned a number of tin mines in the early 20th century. The mansion sat forlorn for decades, its hanging shutters, overgrown lawn and friendly ghosts offering an eerie tumbledown grace to anyone who dared cross the creaky gat
-
Sa Phra Nang
Halfway along the trail linking Hat Railay East to Hat Tham Phra Nang, a sharp path leads up the jungle-cloaked cliff wall to this hidden lagoon. The first section is a steep 10-minute uphill climb (with ropes for assistance). Fork right for the lagoon, reached by sheer downhill cl
-
Sirindhorn Art Centre
Sirindhorn Art Centre can be found at the unlikely location of Wang Saphung, 23km south of Loei. It was built to honour Sangkom Thongmee, a famous local teacher (since retired) at the adjoining school whose students, mostly farmers children, won thousands of awards for their work.
-
Mekong Underwater World
The displays here are smaller than those at the Nong Khai aquarium, but in some ways theyre more impressive, with timber finishing and better lighting. Its a good place to get up close with some rather large specimens of Mekong catfish (Ъlah bèuk) . Its 6km west of town along Hwy 2
-
Wat Thung Si Meuang
Built during the reign of Rama III (1824–51), with a classic hŏr đrai (Tripitaka hall) in excellent shape. Like many hŏr đrai, it rests on tall, angled stilts in the middle of a pond to protect the precious scriptures (written on palm-leaf paper) from termites. Its kept open so you
Total
1184 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
40/60 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
