The best of rural and urban Thailand

This article was written by Grown-up Travel Guide contributor Nikolia Rudenko

There is much more to Thailand than just the beaches, although it is easy to lose yourself on the white sands and azure seas when enjoying the Thai Islands. If you’re not one for beaches, or have visited Thailand before and are interested in seeing its other aspects, then take a different kind of holiday to this South East Asian treasure.

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Photo credit: archer10 (Dennis) via photopin cc

On Thailand multi centre holidays you can check out a few different areas of the country over the course of your stay. Try a city and golden triangle experience to see some of the best Thailand has to offer during your visit.

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Staying in a city is the best way to get to grips with what life is like for urban Thai people. It is also where there is the most going on, and therefore is a great way to immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Thailand. The most famous city, and one of the most exciting places to visit in Thailand, is Bangkok, the capital city. Life is busy and bright here, and if you are looking for great bars, restaurants, entertainment and shopping then look no further. Bangkok is where you can live fast in Thailand and there is something for everyone amongst the busy streets. Stay in the heart of the city to get the most out of your trip.

In contrast to the bright lights and entertainment in Bangkok is the Golden Triangle in the far north of the country. By staying in towns like Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai you can explore the green mountains and see the wonderful terrain of northern Thailand. Close to Chiang Mai you can find the beautiful small town of Pai, where you can enjoy a kung fu and meditation retreat.

A fantastic place to relax, the Golden Triangle is far from the usual tourist attractions of the island. There are some fantastic markets to wander through and this is a wonderful way to see the residents of this area’s way of life, as well as maybe pick up a traditional souvenir or two.

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Photo credit: shapour bahrami via photopin cc

You can also check out some of the cultural sights here, and there are many temples and intriguing landmarks that you can visit and learn about, including the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Buddhist temple.

By staying in two different locations on your holiday you can get a real taste of what the country has to offer. Spending time in one place is great, as it means you can really get to know that area. But in order to get a proper cross-section of Thailand, you should experience a few different aspects of the country on a multi-centre holiday. These two regions are starkly contrasted giving you a great insight into Thailand as a nation, and allowing you to get the fullest experience in one, once in a lifetime, trip.

About the author: Nikolia Rudenko is a freelancer in advertising and marketing who enjoys travel, photography and sharing experiences with friends.

Andy Higgs
Andy Higgs

I know what it's like to go from being a crazy backpacker without a care in the world, via being a vaguely sensible parent to being an adventurer once more. In other words, evolving into a Grown-up Traveller.

Like everyone else, I love to travel, have visited a lot of countries and all that but my big thing is Africa.

I also own and run The Grown-up Travel Company as a travel designer creating personalised African itineraries for experienced adventurers

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