Discover Thailand: heritage, forests and islands

Thailand offers a range of themes for a trip with a hotel stay: historic cities, archaeological sites, protected areas, viewpoints and water-based activities. When planning, it is worth deciding on your main focus first. Would you like to explore architecture and former capitals, learn about landscapes through their terrain and rivers, or plan for views and water activities? This can help you decide whether cultural history, nature or the sea will shape your trip.

Historic cities and their architecture

The Historic City of Ayutthaya was founded around 1350 and became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. Its remains are characterized by prangs—reliquary towers—and vast monastic complexes. The Historic Park of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of Ayutthaya. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya lies on an island surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi rivers. Ayutthaya’s architecture combines Khmer styles with early Sukhothai styles. Its founding, architectural forms and island location offer different perspectives on this historical destination.

The Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns form a serial World Heritage Site comprising three ancient cities that are closely connected geographically. The Buddhist monuments and sculptures of Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet are considered masterpieces of art in the distinctive Sukhothai style. At the sites of Sukhothai, stone inscriptions provide evidence of the earliest examples of Thai writing. Water management also shaped the historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom: dams, reservoirs, ponds and canals served agricultural, economic and ritual purposes, as well as functioning as communication routes. Traditional festivals are still celebrated at the sites of the Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns. Art, writing, water management and living traditions thus sit side by side, offering different ways to explore the history of these places.

Ban Chiang offers a contrast in time: this archaeological site is a prehistoric settlement and burial site. If you would like to explore cultural history not only through monuments and historic cities but also through prehistoric settlements and burial sites, Ban Chiang offers a distinct archaeological focus.

Protected areas and landscapes

The Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries are among Thailand’s least accessible and least disturbed forest areas. Their ridges rise above 1,500 metres, and the highest peak reaches 1,830 metres. The area also includes the important Upper Khwae Yai and Huai Khakhaeng river systems. Three aspects are therefore important when considering the landscape: its relative inaccessibility, its range of elevations and its two river systems. If you choose nature destinations based on their landforms, these details provide useful points of reference.

The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex comprises five almost contiguous protected areas: Khao Yai National Park, Thap Lan National Park, Pang Sida National Park, Ta Phraya National Park and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. The complex is home to more than 800 animal species. Its waterfalls and streams attract millions of visitors each year for recreation and educational purposes. Here, the protected-area complex’s composition is complemented by its wildlife and water-based nature experiences. This offers a different thematic perspective from the mountain ridges and river systems of Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng.

Architecture, views and water activities

Wat Rong Khun is known for its extraordinary white architecture; it was designed and built by Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat. Doi Pha Tang offers views of the sunrise over the Mekong and a sea of morning mist. While Wat Rong Khun offers a cultural focus through its architecture, the view at Doi Pha Tang depends on visibility: the weather determines whether the sunrise and sea of mist can be seen.

Snorkelling and scuba diving are the main activities around the Similan Islands. There are more than ten dive sites, including Hin Rue Bai, also known as Sail Rock, Beacon Reef and areas behind Koh Miang. Seasonal conditions and operators may change. So, before planning, check what options are available during your travel dates.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Phuket, Surat Thani, Trat, Chonburi, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Krabi, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Buriram, Ayutthaya, Lampang, Sakon Nakhon, Nan, Phrae, Sa Kaeo, Yasothon, Suphanburi, Ang Thong, Roi Et, Surin, Chainat, Phayao, Nakhon Nayok, Uttaradit, Udon Thani, Mukdahan, Phichit, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Yala, Bueng Kan, Samut Songkhram, Amnat Charoen, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Pattani, Nong Kai, Satun, Phatthalung, Lamphun, Sisaket, Sukhothai, Ratchaburi, Saraburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Maha Sarakham, Chachoengsao, Nonthaburi, Ranong, Phangnga, Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Lopburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Loei, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chanthaburi, Phetchabun, Prachinburi, Trang, Phitsanulok, Chiang Rai, Chaiyaphum

For the main travel overview: Asia.