Krabi (Thailand)

Krabi is a rapidly developing resort, the city of Krabi is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located 170 km east of Phuket and 800 km south of Bangkok. You can get to Krabi by car, bus, sea and plane, the flight from Bangkok takes an hour and a half. The province of Krabi includes, in addition to the mainland, 10 more large and many small islands.

This small provincial center was unknown to anyone a few years ago, but now it has begun to gain well-deserved popularity. Construction is currently underway in Krabi hotels and restaurants. They combine a high level of comfort with traditional Thai exoticism. There are still not as many tourists in this resort as in Phuket, getting here is more difficult, and there are not so many beaches. But during the high season , hotels are often overcrowded.

A characteristic feature of the landscape of the city of Krabi and its environs are bizarre limestone cliffs. 17 km from the city of Krabi is a 75 million year old limestone deposit, which is one of three (two more are in the USA and in Japan) are the oldest known deposits on Earth. Previously, this place was a swamp in which millions of snails lived. Dead snails fell to its bottom, and over time, the swamp disappeared, but a layer of shells of dead snails, 40 cm thick, remained. This place is called the “graveyard of shells”. It looks like a cluster of solid blocks, 200 m wide and 40 cm thick.

In Krabi, tourists are attracted not only by well-maintained beaches, but also by other attractions. These are the national parks Than Bokkharani, Khao Phanom Bencha; caves Tham Phra Nang Nok, Tham Sua. Tham Sua Cave is also known as “Tiger Cave” because of the tiger footprints. A monastery was built in the cave, which is one of the most interesting monasteries in southern Thailand.. The main attraction of the temple is the 1272 steps in the limestone rock leading to the footprint of the Buddha. To the east of Krabi is the temple of Wat Klong Tom, which is also a museum that contains ancient stones, bronze tools, coins, pottery, whose age exceeds 500 years.

Krabi is popular with windsurfers.

Chiang Mai (Thailand)

According to Education VV, Chiang Mai, located in the north of Thailand, 700 km from Bangkok, is the second largest city in the country. It differs significantly from Bangkok, and above all in landscape. If Bangkok is a plain, then Chiang Mai is a region of hills covered with forests. The city itself stands on the Ping River, whose fertile valley is inhabited by rural communities that have maintained their way of life for centuries. In the forests, you can still see working elephants that pull out trees. The borders of Chiang Mai are still marked by a moat and ancient fortress gates.

Chiangmai was founded at the end of the 13th century as the capital of the independent state of Langa. Until recently, a quiet provincial town, today it is developing at a rapid pace, sometimes even surpassing Bangkok. It successfully combines the spirit of antiquity with all the amenities of a modern city and a developed tourist infrastructure.

There are about 100 beautiful temples in the city. Among the many temples of Chiang Mai, you should visit Phra Sing (Wat Phra Sing), Chiang Man (Wat Chiang Man), Chedi Luang (Wat Chedi Luang), Suan Dok (Wat Suan Dok), Ky Tao (Wat Ku Tao). Very close to Chiang Mai attractions such as Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – a wonderful temple standing on top of a mountain, as well as the summer residence of the Royal Family – Phuping Palace are located. Doi Suthep is one of the most revered temples in Thailand. According to legend, it was built on the spot where an elephant, carrying half of the relics of the Buddha, fell down. To get to the temple, you need to overcome 309 steps; There is also a lift leading up to it. From the inner courtyard of the temple, you can see the whole of Chiang Mai and the surrounding plains. Doi Suthep houses a replica of the Emerald Buddha statue.

From Chiang Mai, one-day excursions to the surrounding jungle are organized, including on elephants; there are tours with rafting on local rivers. Also Chiang Mai is the starting point for multi-day excursions to the natural attractions of northern Thailand – national parks, caves, gorges, waterfalls. One of the most popular excursions is an excursion to the highest point in Thailand, Mount Doi Inthanon (2565 m). It is located within the National Park, where flora and fauna are under special protection. Another route is to the Mae Klang waterfall, a favorite place for picnics.

On the slopes of the northern mountains live exotic tribes belonging to a separate ethnic group and preserving the traditional way of life. Almost every hotel organizes excursions to the places of residence of mountain tribes.

Chiangmai is a gateway leading to beauties located not only in the Northern region of the country, but also in neighboring countries – Myanmar, Laos and South China.