Translated from the Thai as “temple with no top,” this Buddhist structure got its name when the golden stupa that used to top it was removed more than a hundred years ago. The lush gardens and babbling river surrounding the off-the-beaten-path temple are ideal for meditation.
The quiet town of Lamphun offers travelers a charming escape from the busier streets of Chiang Mai. Shallow moats and the peaceful River Kuang border the provincial capital, where local longan fruits are said to be the sweetest in the country; each August the town comes to celebrate its harvest during the annual Lam Yai festival.
On the outskirts of Chiang Rai, Akha Hill House is a guesthouse in the hill tribe village of Akha. Though the bungalows are made from natural materials such as mud and bamboo, they still offer creature comforts such as hot showers, fans, and Wi-Fi.
Check out the Buddhist temples hiding in the hills near Kanchanaburi, especially Khao Pun Cave Temple (Wat Tham Khao Pun), known as one of the best. Statues of the Buddha, Hindu deities, stalagmites, and stalactites all take residency in this impressive cave system.
