Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in the world for backpackers and this is for good reason. The south-east Asian country is a great place for adventure thanks to its spectacular natural landscapes, ancient ruins and busy cities, and fashion like Thai Harem Pants
. But it is also a wonderful place for relaxing thanks to the gorgeous tropical beaches. It is this combination of relaxation and adventure that makes it such a fun and popular place.
As Thailand is constantly filled with tourists, adventure-seekers are always on the lookout for lesser-known spots to visit. The best way to find hidden gems is to book with tour organisers like Exodus
, as they can arrange trips and activities that other tourists miss out on. Here are three unexpectedly beautiful places to visit in Thailand.
Phanom Rung
This historical site is home to a stunning range of well-preserved Khmer temples dating right back to the 11th and 13th centuries. The complex is set on the rim of a dormant volcano at 402 metres elevation, providing sublime views of the surrounding paddy fields. The main temple is quite the sight to behold and was a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva – one of the principal deities of Hinduism.
Nan
Found to the north of Thailand, Nan borders Laos and is a very peaceful and tranquil place – this can be a refreshing change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist cities. It is an area of great natural beauty with surrounding paddy fields and fruit forests, providing plenty of great trekking opportunities. In addition to this, Nan also has plenty of temples and cool bars perfect for chilling out in after a day of exploring the area. Many tourists skip Nan and instead head to the busier cities, but for those that visit it often ends of being one of their favourite areas due to the fact that it is is so beautiful and serene
.
Khao Luang Cave
Easily one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets (shh, keep it this way), Khao Luang Cave is a stunning cave that houses one of the stranger temples that you will ever see. The cave is found in the Phetchaburi Province around 3 hours south-west of Bangkok. The cave is an incredibly peaceful and spiritual space that is filled with Buddha statues, plus the natural light cascading in through the hole in the roof creates an amazing glow within the cave that will take your breath away.
Thailand is a great place for adventure, plus there are many wonderful hidden gems to uncover away from the hoards of tourists in the major cities.