Ancient Capitals of Thailand: Bangkok to Chiang Rai

Travel north through Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Lampang, and Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to explore the ruins of the Siamese kingdoms.

This classic overland route offered by seasoned travel agencies heads north from Bangkok, visiting Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai, continuing through Lampang to Chiang Mai, and ending at the White Temple and Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai. Chartering a car allows you to travel straight north without backtracking. This itinerary skips the southern islands. It offers high cultural density, making it perfect for history lovers who want to avoid multiple domestic flights.

Most ruins are outdoors; March to May is extremely hot and the north experiences seasonal crop-burning haze.

Day by day

Day 1 · Bangkok North to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya（Bang Pa-In Royal Palace、Wat Phra Si Sanphet、Wat Mahathat、Wat Chaiwatthanaram）

Charter a car from Bangkok to Bang Pa-In Palace (approx. 1.5h), drive another 30 minutes to Ayutthaya, and make short transfers between the ruins.

Stay: Old City Island (Around Wat Mahathat)

Day 2 · Lopburi & Phitsanulok to Sukhothai

Ayutthaya（Phra Prang Sam Yot (Lopburi)） → Sukhothai（Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Phra Buddha Chinnarat)）

Drive from Ayutthaya to Lopburi (approx. 1h), continue to Phitsanulok (approx. 4h), and reach Sukhothai in another hour.

Monkeys at Phra Prang Sam Yod in Lopburi will snatch food; do not carry food in your hands.

Stay: Old Sukhothai

Day 3 · Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai（Sukhothai Historical Park、Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai、Wat Sa Si、Wat Si Chum）

Rent a bicycle near your accommodation in the Old City and ride between the temples inside the park (approx. 15–20 km of cycling throughout the day).

Stay: Old Sukhothai

Day 4 · Si Satchanalai to Lampang

Sukhothai（Si Satchanalai Historical Park、Wat Chang Lom, Si Satchanalai） → Lampang（Kad Kong Ta Street）

Drive north from Sukhothai to Si Satchanalai (approx. 1h), and transfer to Lampang in the afternoon (approx. 3h).

The Kad Kong Ta Street Market is liveliest during the weekend night market.

Stay: Kad Kong Ta Old Street

Day 5 · Wat Phra That Lampang Luang to Chiang Mai

Lampang（Wat Phra That Lampang Luang、Thai Elephant Conservation Center） → Chiang Mai（Wat Phra That Hariphunchai）

Drive around Lampang (approx. 1h), head to Chiang Mai via Lamphun (approx. 1.5h), and arrive in the afternoon.

Stay: Old City

Day 6 · Chiang Mai Old City & Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai（Wat Chedi Luang、Wat Phra Singh、Wat Phra That Doi Suthep）

Explore the temples in the Old City on foot in the morning, and charter a songthaew to Doi Suthep in the afternoon (approx. 40m round trip).

Stay: Old City

Day 7 · Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai & the White Temple

Chiang Rai（Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)、Baan Dam Museum (Black House)）

Charter a car from Chiang Mai to the White Temple (approx. 3h), visit the Baandam Museum in the northern suburbs, and head into the city center (approx. 20m).

Stay: City Centre (Clock Tower & Night Market)

Day 8 · Golden Triangle & Doi Tung Day Trip

Chiang Rai（Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang Garden、Golden Triangle (Sop Ruak)、Chiang Saen）

Drive north from Chiang Rai to Doi Tung (approx. 1.5h), then continue to the Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen (approx. 250 km in total).

The Mae Sai border crossing is closed to foreign tourists; do not plan to enter Myanmar.