Doi Inthanon

The Thai word for mountain is 'Doi'. That's why you see the word quite often around Chiang Mai. Doi Suthep, of course, is the mountain right by Chiang Mai itself. And a bit further away, about a 2-hour drive from the city center, lies Doi Inthanon: the highest mountain in Thailand. You can visit it on a tour. Along the way, you'll see plenty of trees, curves, and mountains, stop at one of the waterfalls en route, do a one- or two-hour trek, visit a coffee village/farm, and also see the pagodas at the summit. These are the King's and Queen's pagodas. The cost is usually around 1500-1600 THB. A list of tours to Doi Inthanon you find here.

You can also get there by motorbike, but it is quite a trip; consider spending a night there. There are quite a few camping-style resorts where you can sleep with a view of the mountains. If you go on your own, keep in mind there are entrance fees for the national park and the pagodas at the top.

And the most important tip: bring warm clothes. While it’s tropical in Chiang Mai, it can sometimes even freeze at night up in the mountains. Temperatures around 10-15°C are not uncommon.