While the touristy hotspots can be fun, there is a certain adventurous delight in exploring the lesser-known gems while travelling to a foreign country. So once you have had your fill of beaching and partying in Thailand, check out these glorious secret destinations that are off the beaten track.

1. Lotus Lake

Located in Tambon Chiang Haeo, this is a wetland ablaze with flamingo-pink lotus flowers. Hidden by tall elephant grass and frequented by villagers who visit the lake to collect snails and lotus stalks for their meals, the Lotus Lake is a constellation of lotuses floating on crystal-clear waters.

2. Bo Sang Umbrella Village

There’s an ethereal quality to the pretty paper parasols found in Thailand and you can watch them being made at the craft village of Bo Sang. Wander through the village to see how almost everyone here is involved in crafting these beautiful umbrellas and pop into the gift shop to buy some to take home. If you’re there in January, you’d be lucky to take part in the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival.

3. Erawan Cascading Waterfalls and Caves

Tucked away in the Erawan National Park in Tha Kradan, the Erawan Waterfalls are a series of seven waterfalls tumbling and splashing over limestone terraces, the uppermost of which is said to resemble the mythical three-headed elephant. Apart from the waterfalls, this park also has several caves known as Mi, Wang Bahdan, Rua and Phartat. If you plan to visit this park, make sure you wear your hiking boots and carry a change of clothes, just in case you want to splash about in some of the pools around the waterfalls.

4. Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew—the Temple of a Million Beers 

Situated in Si Kaeo, this unique temple complex has been built with over 1.5 million discarded beer bottles. What started as a ‘100 bottles of beer on the wall’ project in 1984—where a group of monks decided to clean up the litter in Sisaket and promote recycling—soon turned into a full-scale building plan with brown and green beer bottles lining the walls of the temple, water towers, sleeping quarters and even the toilets.

5. Baanphasawan

If you want to live in style inside a fruit, head to Baanphasawan, an upscale resort with a 100 abodes shaped as fruits, vegetables and plants. The resort is the only seed bank for Durian, an exotic fruit native to Thailand, and has orchards dedicated to the fruit. This 80-acre property with mist-covered mountains around is a fun place for any botany aficionado.

6. Amulet Market

Whether you’re looking to ward off the evil eye or seeking protection of some sort, the amulet market in Bangkok, will have something for you. With thousands of trinkets and talismans spread out for buyers to pick from, locals throng to the market in search of amulets to bless their new homes, bring good health, boost their harvest and even protect themselves. The market is a fascinating place to walk around in, even for the non-superstitious.

7. Wat Pha Sorn Kaew or Temple on the Glass Cliff

If you want to visit a place that combines unusual architecture and modern design, this mountaintop Buddhist temple in Pha Sing is just the place for you. A sanctuary for Buddhists, the place has a calm and peaceful vibe, with a pagoda, preaching hall and gardens set on the pinnacle of a mountain. The snow-white temple with five Buddhas nested together and overlooking the valley is the most stunning feature of the temple complex.

8. Wat Samphran Temple

This 17-story temple in Khlong Mai has a gigantic dragon wrapped around it. With beautiful shrines and statues, including a mammoth bronze Buddha, the temple is an interesting place to visit for those who enjoy whimsical architecture.

With this list in your back pocket, you’re all set to create a Thailand holiday with a difference.