HOT Magazine HOT Magazine - Issue 11, 12 Volume 5 | Page 38

Doi Inthanon
The highest mountain in the
entire country could definitely
not have fallen off the list, and it’s
one we recommend visiting at all
costs. Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai
province’s Chom Thong district is
a national icon and a site of beauty
and stands majestically above
its 2,565 metres in height. Let’s
first of all address the cold factor.
Temperatures of six degrees are an
average occurrence in winter and
temperatures below zero – yes,
below zero – have been known in
January. Part of a national park
of immense lush beauty, Doi
Inthanon is ideal for sight seeing. It
has two famous temples, or chedis
– namely Naphamethinidon and
Naphaphonphumisiri, which were
built in honour of the late King
Bhumibol. Attracting as many
as 12,000 visitors just on New
Year’s Day, the mountain’s peak
is one of the best opportunities to
see Chiang Mai – and Thailand –
through the highest point on land
possible.
Pai
It would be a mistake not to
include Pai as one of the destinations
to get cool in Thailand this winter.
The north western province is one of
the icons of that area, with plenty of
marvellous hills and activities for the
visitor which make it an appealing
destination for anybody. Located
by the border with Myanmar, just
short of 150 kilometres from Chiang
Mai, Pai is part of Mae Hong Song
province and gives its name to the
river that dissects it. One of the
smaller places in Thailand, Pai boasts
a population of about 3,500 people.
The charm of Pai other than its
scenery resides in the variety of its
people, as the town is a melting pot of
different ethnic groups including the
Lahu, the Hmong, the Lisu and the
Karen. All these hilltribes coalesce in
this fantastic little place, which has as
of late drawn the attention of a large
array of tourists. Pai also boasts of
a very interesting history, allegedly
dating back more than 5,000 years.
Pai can get quite chilly, so the jumper
is again probably a good idea if
you’re looking to be there for a
couple of days.
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HOT Magazine