Steamy, frenetic, and exhilarating, Thailand’s capital city, located in the Chao Phraya River Delta, is a legendary travel destination.
This metropolis is equally famous for its rich cultural offerings, effervescent nightlife, superb shopping, and diverse dining options.
Bucket list items include a visit to the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, a morning boat trip down the canals to immerse oneself in the bustle of the floating markets, and a walk around the opulent Grand Palace.
The tourist hub of Khaosan Road, the MBK Centre, Siam Square, or on weekends, the vast Chatuchak market, offer further excellent shopping opportunities, while restaurants span every style, from incredible street food to five-star haute cuisine.
The SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon is a great spot for couples and photographers, while the Siam Society and Kamthieng House provide an in-depth introduction into Thai culture and folklore.
Vientiane is one of Southeast Asia’s most relaxed capitals, set beside the Mekong River with Thailand visible across the water. It has a gentle, low-rise feel, where gilded temples, French colonial traces, government buildings, cafés and riverside life sit together at an easy pace.
The city is best enjoyed without rushing. Pha That Luang is the great national monument of Laos, a golden Buddhist stupa and one of the country’s most important religious symbols. Nearby Patuxai, often compared with the Arc de Triomphe, reflects both Lao history and French influence, with views across the city from the upper levels.
Vientiane’s temples are among its main pleasures. Wat Si Saket is especially atmospheric, with cloistered walls filled with hundreds of Buddha images, while Haw Phra Kaew, once associated with the Emerald Buddha, now serves as a museum of religious art. The city also has a growing café and restaurant scene, with French bakeries, Lao cooking, riverside bars and small local eateries all easy to enjoy.
A visit to COPE Visitor Centre gives important insight into the continuing impact of unexploded ordnance in Laos and the rehabilitation work carried out for those affected. It’s a sobering but worthwhile stop, adding depth to any visit.
Evenings are best spent by the Mekong riverside, where locals stroll, exercise, browse the night market and gather as the heat softens. Vientiane isn’t a city of grand drama, but its quiet charm, Buddhist heritage and slower rhythm make it a pleasant and meaningful stop in a Laos itinerary.
This charming, sleepy city is the more laid-back alternative to bustling Chiang Mai and the capital of Chiang Rai province.
Besides its beguilingly slow pace, friendly locals and the beautiful setting amidst rolling rainforest-covered hills, Chiang Rai also encompasses a treasure chest of cultural and historical gems.
Don’t miss a visit to Wat Rong Khun,' The White Temple' – a contemporary architectural highlight with an exquisitely ornate, snow-coloured façade – or to the historic Wat Phra Sin, with its traditional Lanna-style interior.
There are also several interesting museums to explore, including the quirky Oub Kham Museum, with its collection of fascinating and often bizarre historical relics from the wider Lanna region; and the Hilltribe Museum and Education Centre, which provides excellent insight into the various hill-tribe ethnicities in the area.
