Thailand has no shortage of things to do. You could take several long trips to Thailand, and still only really hit the tip of the iceberg. When planning a vacation there, the best thing you can do is decide what sort of vacation you’d like it to be. Do you want to spend most of your time at Thailand’s fabulous beaches? Is visiting places of cultural and historical significance important to you? Are you a city slicker, our an outdoorsy type? Thailand has a way to indulge all those preferences and more. Here are some must-see places in Thailand that might not be on your radar, but definitely should be.

For the Gal Who Wants It All // Chiang Mai

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Is the Yee Peng Lantern Festival on your bucket list? With @jacob in Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭 #backpackersglobe . . . . . . . . #chiangmai #chiangmaithailand #thailand_allshots #thailande #travelthailand #thailandonly #explorethailand #thailandtrip #thailandtravel #lanternfestival #lantern #lanterns #yeepeng #reflectiongram #thailand_ig

A post shared by Backpackers Globe ®️ (@backpackersglobe) on Jul 31, 2019 at 11:00am PDT

Forget Bangkok. If you want to imbue your trip to Thailand with significant cultural immersion, this is your stop. Chiang Mai is a walled city that pretty much has it all. Here you’ll find gorgeous temples, amazing nightlife, incredible food, and fabulous shopping. There are several daily and weekend markets that sell everything from trinkets to beautiful handcrafted items. Food stalls can be found nearly everywhere, hawking dazzling regional tastes. The city is known as the “Rose of the North”, and its charm has managed to seduce many a local and traveler alike. There’s also plenty of opportunity for outdoorsy fun nearby. If you’re a health nut, this area is known for a very active yoga community. Oh, they also have a lantern festival.

For the Shopping Enthusiast // Damneon Saduak Floating Market

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This is the legendary floating market at 📍#DamneonSaduak …where you can see a lot of vendors selling local foods, fruits and products on the rowing boats. ✨🚣🏻

A post shared by Marianna Salzillo 铭玉 (@maryennes) on Jan 26, 2019 at 8:50pm PST

Local markets are a huge part of Thailand. You’ll find them just about everywhere. While there are a few floating markets throughout the kingdom, this one is the largest. You can find it about an hour and a half drive away from Bangkok. Hop aboard a longboat and travel down narrow waterways past vendor stalls and small stilt houses. Have your camera ready, because it really is something to behold. The market tends to get pretty congested by early afternoon, so try to go early. Make sure to arrive with an empty tummy. You’ll find plenty of regional eats for sale, along with clothing, souvenirs, and fresh produce. Remember to bring cash for your purchases.

For the Beach Bum // Koh Tao

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#kohtoa#thailand#amazingthailand#enjoyingit#sun#snorkeling#private#island#kohsamui#samui#asia#roadtrip photocredit @bykautar

A post shared by Travel through our world 🌎 (@vakantie.bestemmingen) on Jun 17, 2019 at 11:06pm PDT

There are so many beautiful beaches and islands to explore in Thailand that you will never be able to see them all. Unless you suddenly become independently wealthy. Even then, you’d have you work cut out for you. But, the beaches of Koh Tao are a must for a gal who wants her surf and sand, without having to give up those modern conveniences she enjoys. There are several larger islands nearby that you can visit if you want more than just idyllic beaches and picture-perfect sunsets. If you love to dive or snorkel, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place on earth better than this one. There are also some really gorgeous resorts here. So, if you like your paradise with a side of luxury, you’ll love this place.