National Geographic considers Thailand to be one of the best beach resorts in the world (read more about Best Thai Beaches), but the successor country to the Kingdom of Siam has more to offer than just that. We offer you list of the most beautiful ancient cities of Thailand, a tour through the streets of which will be the best memory of your trip to this country. The following article will help you decide which city of Thailand is the best to visit in order to experience the country in its original form even before it became a tourist mecca among the countries of Southeast Asia.
1
Ayutthaya
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Ayutthaya is the oldest city in Thailand, for 400 years (1352-1767) it was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam. It was a place where trade routes from China, Malaysia and India converged. By the time the Burmese army destroyed it, it was the largest city on the planet, with more than a million people. Majestic ruins that excite the imagination of tourists. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is usually visited by a full-day excursion from Bangkok.
2
Chiang Rai
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Chiang Rai is quite a beautiful city in Thailand, attracting those who appreciate unconventional displays of talent. The place where the surreal White Temple is built, which combines traditional Thai motifs and modernism in its finishes – the panels in the main hall depict scenes from the Star Wars saga. The northern city, surrounded by cliffs, is a great place to linger for more than a day to admire the architecture and nature away from the crowds of beach fans (read about other entertainment in Thailand besides beaches).
3
Chiang Mai
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Chiang Rai is Thailand’s second-largest city, so it can be a destination in its own right and worth spending an entire vacation in. The surroundings are breathtakingly beautiful, and interesting also because it is home to the almost legendary giraffe people, the Karen women of the hill tribe, who lengthen their necks with long bronze rings.
4
Krabi Town
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Thailand’s resort town is exactly how this country is portrayed on postcards and in tourist brochures. When you visit it, you will see Buddhist temples (especially check out the Tiger Temple) and real oriental markets, and the surrounding area – wild beaches with white sand, sheer cliffs with overflowing waterfalls, lush green jungles and blue lakes. It is believed that the most beautiful sunsets can be seen in Krabi. One of the main competitors for the island of Phuket, located a few kilometers to the southwest.
5
Kanchanaburi
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If you’ve seen the movie The Bridge Over the River Kwai, you’ll find it doubly interesting to visit the city of Kanchanaburi in the west, near the Burmese border. It was there that the tragic events of World War II unfolded. One of the most picturesque provinces in the country, where you can see pristine nature, caves, waterfalls, visit a farm elephants and a reservation of the Mon tribe, a people different from the surrounding Burmese and Thais.
6
Sukhothai
Sukhotai is an authentic Thai city and the capital (1238-1382) of the ancient Sukhothai kingdom of the same name. It will be of interest to those who want to take a kind of leap into the past. Historical scenic ruins are located 12 kilometers from the modern city, which bears the same name. A morning bike ride through the ancient streets and the sight of the Buddha statue in the rising sun are particularly memorable.
7
Pai
Small town in the north, adjacent to Chiang Mai. A hangout place for hippies, bohemians and other informal people. Lots of so-called backpackers, living for years on a “whatever God gives” basis. The picturesque surroundings – the mountains, covered with jungle. If it were not for the classic Asian chaos in the streets and the tropical climate, this village could be called an alpine village.
8
Nongkhai
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Nongkhai is on the banks of the Mekong, a river considered sacred by all inhabitants of the Indochina Peninsula. One of the best cities in Thailand for those who seek to discover the sacred essence of the country. The Phu Phra Bat Nature Park, the Hill with the footprint of the Buddha, is open to them. In the vicinity of the city there is the only highway that connects Thailand with Laos.
9
Phetchaburi
Another historic city in Thailand, it is located on the road from Bangkok to Chumphon. A veritable treasure trove for those who are enticed by the exquisite architectural forms of Southeast Asia. The city is full of temples and palaces – former royal residences.
10
Lampang
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Lampang is an authentic Thai town that is the third largest among its northern “brethren,” and it is also the capital of the province of the same name. At one time Lampang was a developed medieval town. However, this did not last long, a decade of war has turned the economic component of the region in decline for many years. There was a great exodus of population from here, and after Lampang lost its independence, it began to be ruled by Burma until the early 20th century. The variety of surviving temples, national parks, and other sites is something for tourists to experience!
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