The Khong Chiam region is still largely unaffected by tourism and, for those willing to explore it, offers spectacular scenery and the promise of peaceful days spent well away from the noise and chaos of the urban environment. With its waterfalls, cliffs and rock paintings, Pha Taem is the kind of place you simply never tire of exploring.

The magic of Pha Taem, north of Khong Chiam

Elephant rides have become a major concern in many locations, but are still offered by a handful of so-called "sanctuaries" with the proposition to get close to the exotic and majestic animal. Elephant rides are offered on every street corner and Westerners have little knowledge about the cruel methods to succeed in training these enormous animals.

Experience Thailand without riding elephants!

Come and completely immerse yourself in the gigantic megalopolis which is Bangkok. 

Bangkok, a continental megalopolis

To set the scene for you, imagine 2,188 km² covered by 80% forest and populated with more than 800 animal species roaming completely free. Add streams, waterfalls and a mountain range amongst 2,000 plant species. Classify it all as a UNESCO world heritage site and you have the Khao Yai national park.

Khao Yai or the paradise of species

Damnoen Saduak

Kanchanaburi

Erawan

Bang Pa In

Mae Salong, (also known as Santikhiri), is a small mountain village whose population is mostly of Chinese origin. 

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Mae Salong feels like it's in China, despite the fact that it's closer to Myanmar. Walking down main street, I passed locals selling tea outside their houses, and a teacher at work with his students with a blackboard at the back of the class that was covered in ideograms. And indeed, we are crossing into the area where you get tea plantations, and the Chinese ancestors of its inhabitants came here at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Mae Salong is a rather sleepy mountain resort, calm and cool - especially in winter - and, for someone like me who lives with Bangkok's clamminess all year, a bit of cool air is good. For those who like going off the beaten path, Mae Salong is a perfect base for exploring the surrounding mountains and ethnic tribes. I was a bit surprised to meet a Frenchman who had moved there and opened a little restaurant. Some of the buildings look like chalets and with the ever present Chinese culture, sometimes you forget that you are in Thailand. For a view over the town and the mountains, I went to the chedi of Phra Boromathat Chedi, which is the perfect finishing touch to a charming stay in the Land of Smiles.

After passing through Chiang Rai I finished my exploration of northern Thailand on a high note with a visit to the famous Golden Triangle. I decided to go on a day trip that would take me around the area. The day began with an exploration of Mae Salong, a charming village crowned with the beautiful temple Wat Santikhiri which has a superb view over the surroundings. On my way back down I stopped to have a look at the tea plantations in the surrounding hills. Several women were at work with large picking baskets, a grueling job.  Mae Salong, like all of the mountain villages, is a peaceful harbor in the heart of luxuriant vegetation, and its picturesque authenticity makes it a pleasure to explore. From there, on to Mae Saen, with its immense Buddha and the river which separates Myanmar, Laos from Thailand.

<a href="/thailand/">During a stay in north Thailand</a>, Mae Salong is the place to go for lovers of nature, calm, and tradition.

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