Phu Sang National Park

This is a park for people who'd rather walk in the trees than wait in line for a viewpoint. It sits in Phayao province, just over from Chiang Rai, and the appeal is straightforward, with dense woodland, waterfalls, cooler highland air and trails you can take at whatever pace suits you. Casual walkers get short, shaded loops. Anyone wanting a proper trek can find that too.

Don't come expecting infrastructure. Facilities are thin on the ground, which is precisely why it stays peaceful, but it does mean bringing your own water and wearing shoes you can get wet and muddy in. Wildlife and plant life reward patience more than a fast march, so build in time to stand still. As a day trip from Phayao town or the southern side of Chiang Rai, it works either as a half day or a full one, depending on how far you push in.