Torn between Chiang Mai and Kanchanaburi? We’ll highlight the characteristics and attractions of these two cities to help you make the right choice and plan your trip to Thailand according to your preferences!

Visiting Chiang Mai: what to expect?

Located in the far north, Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second-largest city after Bangkok. Known for its strong cultural identity, laid-back vibe, and stunning natural surroundings, it is one of the country’s most visited cities.

What to see and do in Chiang Mai?

Visit the temples

Once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai boasts hundreds of well-preserved Buddhist temples. Each temple has its unique history and architecture. Because it’s impossible to visit them all, here’s our top 5 list of the most beautiful temples in Chiang Mai.

Shopping and buying handicrafts at markets

Looking to shop in Chiang Mai? Known as the handicraft capital of Thailand, the city is filled with shops and artisan markets (day and night markets) in its historic center. It’s a perfect opportunity to buy local souvenirs.

For those interested in traditional craftsmanship, you can also visit villages and artisan workshops on the outskirts of the city to watch artisans at work!

Taste Northern Thai Cuisine

Influenced by neighboring countries like Myanmar, China, and Laos, northern Thailand has its own specialties that you won’t find elsewhere in the country. Street food stalls and restaurants in Chiang Mai offer an excellent chance to taste northern Thai cuisine!

Why not take a Thai cooking class to learn all the secrets and recreate the dishes back home?

Go hiking in the mountains

Although Chiang Mai is known for its historic old town, it’s also valued for its surroundings. Surrounded by mountains, jungles, rivers, and waterfalls, it’s the perfect base for hikes or treks in nature, as well as activities like bamboo rafting, kayaking, climbing, or exploring the ethnic villages in the region.

See Elephants (Responsibly)

Chiang Mai is a popular destination for seeing and interacting with elephants. However, it’s important to avoid tourist attractions that may harm them (like elephant riding or shows). Instead, choose a more ethical option: elephant sanctuaries.

Among the responsible sanctuaries, Elephant Nature Park is the most well-known, largely due to its founder, Lek Chailert, whose work has led to greater awareness and the establishment of many sanctuaries. Visitors can learn about elephant life, feed them, bathe with them, and walk alongside them at the sanctuary.

For a more luxurious experience, Chiang Mai Elephant Friends offers visitors the chance to stay in a forested luxury residence with elephants, with activities including feeding, jungle walks, and bathing with elephants.

Learn Thai massage

Chiang Mai is also considered the capital of Thai massage schools. Whether a beginner or experienced, there are countless schools where you can learn the history, customs, and various techniques of traditional Thai massage.

Experience the nightlife

Chiang Mai has a vibrant nightlife with nightclubs, cocktail bars, and chic rooftops. Check out our favorite spots for a night out in Chiang Mai.

Who is Chiang Mai for?

Chiang Mai offers a range of activities for visitors. It’s suitable for travelers seeking culture, culinary discoveries, hiking, sports activities in nature, and even nightlife. It’s also a favored destination for family trips. In short, Chiang Mai has something for everyone!

Visiting Kanchanaburi: What to expect?

Located near the Myanmar border, only 2 to 3 hours from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is a pleasant town known for its natural scenery and its tragic WWII history, especially the famous Bridge on the River Kwai.

What to see and do in Kanchanaburi?

Dive into history

A symbol of WWII, the Bridge on the River Kwai is Kanchanaburi’s most iconic site. Made famous worldwide by Pierre Boulle’s book and its film adaptation by David Lean, this bridge is a powerful emotional monument.

Built by prisoners of war and Asian laborers in the 1940s under Japanese occupation to connect Thailand with Myanmar, this 250-kilometer railway cost nearly 100,000 laborers and 12,000 POWs their lives. Known as the "Death Railway," it is a place of solemn remembrance.

Today, you can walk on the Hellfire Pass section, the railway’s deadliest part, which leads to the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, or take the tourist train along the Death Railway to see the surrounding landscapes of mountains, rice fields, and countryside.

Other museums and sites, such as the Kanchanaburi WWII Museum, JEATH War Museum, Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, and military cemeteries, provide deeper insight into the region’s WWII history.

Swim in Thailand’s most beautiful waterfalls

Besides its history, Kanchanaburi is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including the stunning Erawan National Park, home to Thailand’s most beautiful waterfalls: the Erawan Falls. With seven levels of turquoise water pools, they’re ideal for a refreshing dip!

Good to know: The park also has several caves (such as Phra That, Wang Badan, Mi, Bear Cave, and Rua), which you can explore on a hike.

Hiking and wildlife spotting in the Jungle

For hikes and wildlife viewing, visitors can choose from:

• Erawan National Park, home to many monkeys, tapirs, Siamese hares, wild boars, snakes, monitor lizards, and numerous bird species.
• Sai Yok National Park, with caves, waterfalls, and unique wildlife like the Kitti’s hog-nosed bat, the Malayan porcupine, and the white-mouth crab.

See Elephants (Responsibly)

Like in Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi has responsible elephant sanctuaries, such as **Elephant Haven Thailand**, located a few kilometers from downtown. Activities include food preparation, feeding, mud baths, river swims, and animal welfare education. Overnight stays are available for an even richer experience.

Visit temples

Kanchanaburi has several beautiful temples, the most famous being **Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple)**, featuring an 18-meter-high Buddha statue and tiger portraits, along with stunning views of rice fields.

Other notable temples include Wat Ban Tham, Wat Tham Khao Pun, Wat Tham Pu Wa, Wat Mettadhamma Pothiyan, and Prasat Muang Singh.

Who is Kanchanaburi for?

With its historical sites, Kanchanaburi is perfect for history buffs, nature lovers, and animal enthusiasts. Suitable for solo travelers, families, couples, and friends, it’s less ideal for those seeking nightlife or shopping.

In Summary: Which city to choose?

Both destinations are worth a visit! For first-time travelers to Thailand wanting to experience as much as possible without covering long distances, we recommend Chiang Mai for its wide range of activities.

However, if you’re a more adventurous traveler seeking to avoid the crowds, Kanchanaburi might be your pick. Beyond tourist spots (like the River Kwai Bridge and Erawan Falls), it’s easier to find peaceful areas.

Or, why not visit both? A night bus connects the two destinations in 11 hours. For those exploring southern Thailand, you could start in the north, head down to Kanchanaburi, and finish on the islands.

Florine Dergelet