Itineraries - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 19

BANGKOK AND NORTHERN
THAILAND
The clash of tradition and modernity in Thailand
is most intense in Bangkok, the first stop on
almost any itinerary. Within its historic core you'll
find resplendent temples, canalside markets, a
forest of skyscrapers and some achingly hip bars
and clubs. The forested mountains of the north,
meanwhile, are set apart from the rest of the
country by their art, architecture, exuberant
festivals and Burmese-influenced cuisine.
1 Bangkok Immerse yourself in Thailand's
frenetic capital, with its grand palaces, noisy
tuk-tuks and thriving, crowded markets.
See p.710
2 Kanchanaburi A mix of charming rafthouses,
waterfalls and lush hills, this place is a popular
and chilled-out backpackers' haunt. See p.727
3 Ayutthaya Rent a bicycle and explore the
remarkable, extensive ruins of this ancient
capital. See p.732
4 Sukhothai The elegant temple remains in Old
Sukhothai attest to its former glory. See p.739
5 Umphang If you fancy breaking free of the
tourist route, head for this lovely, isolated place
surrounded by majestic mountains that are
perfect for trekking. See p.743
6 Chiang Mai The complete backpacker
package: vibrant markets, hill treks to ethnic
minority villages, glorious temples and
delectable cuisine. See p.744
7 Pai Amble through Pai's arty night market
and finish the evening in one of the town's
excellent live-music bars. See p.758

LAOS AND CAMBODIA

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4 Savannakhet The draws at this provincial
capital are its lovely French-colonial
architecture, narrow lanes and pretty
shophouses. See p.388
5 Champasak This sleepy little town makes the
perfect base to explore the atmospheric Khmer
ruins of Wat Phou. See p.395
6 Si Phan Don Spend your days chilling out
in a hammock on one of the four thousand
islands scattered across the Mekong, before
picking up a minibus to Stung Treng in
Cambodia. See p.397
7 Kratie The unassuming town of Kratie is
home to a colony of rare freshwater Irrawaddy
dolphins. See p.113
8 Kampot A lazy riverside town surrounded
by fields and in the shadow of the
abandoned French hill station on Bokor
Mountain. See p.108
9 Phnom Penh A pleasant sprawl of
shophouses and boulevards, lustrous palaces
and engrossing museums. See p.76
G Angkor An easy bus ride takes you to Siem
Reap and the world-famous temples of Angkor.
From here it's a straightforward journey to
Bangkok, or back to Phnom Penh to continue.
See p.87
H Sihanoukville Cambodia's only proper
beach resort provides travel-worn tourists
with a chance to relax, party and sun-worship
on its sandy beaches, before heading on to
Vietnam. The offshore islands, now easily
accessible, are Southeast Asia's next big thing.
See p.102

BANGKOK AND
NORTHERN THAILAND

0 200

kilometres