Chiang Dao - an hour north of the city, and a good starting point for treks into the mountains
Chiang Rai - a relaxed city 3 hours north, and a transit point on the way to the Golden Triangle and Laos.
Doi Inthanon National Park - the highest peak in Thailand 2,565m, 60km southwest of Chiang Mai
Lampang - urban Northern Thailand without the commercialism, 100km southeast of Chiang Mai
Lamphun - a scenic town with a long history and a longan festival, 26km southeast of Chiang Mai
Mae Hong Son - a picturesque little town with lush valleys, rocky streams and a small lake, 235km from Chiang Mai on route 1095, by public bus about 6 hours.
Nan - the former capital of a small kingdom filled with history and temples and surrounded by mountains
Pai - a predominantly tourism-oriented town, offering a relaxed atmosphere with a broad traveller & backpacker scene. Popular with hippies.
