Follow in Lisa’s footsteps through northern Thailand’s most cinematic spots

The opening shot of the campaign video floats across paddy fields before we see Lisa lying in the grass asking: ‘What does Thailand feel like?’ – a shot uncannily reminiscent of Anikin & Padme’s infamous Naboo picnic scene in Star Wars’ Attack of the Clones (without any of the dark undertones, thankfully). 

As much as we can tell, this shot captures a snapshot of Nan’s most underrated mountain village, Sapan. We’ve been there, so we can attest to its beauty. Misty, dreamlike and honestly great value for money, if you can put up with the drive – a two-hour jaunt from provincial capital Nan’s city centre, following mountain ridges and even taking you through the famous curving ‘Road 3’ (stop for photos!). 

Once you’re there, take refuge in one of the many (and increasingly nice) homestays or ‘resorts’, or you can opt to carry a tent and camp on the lawns of Wat Sapan that overlook the fields and villages.

Aside from the stay, there are giant trees, mid-tier waterfalls and roads that lead to viewpoints along the Laotian border. However the real eye-catcher is back towards Nan in a village nearby called Bo Kluea – a natural salt water well that was once the hub of the regional salt trade, and still very much in action to this day.

Next up is the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, another spot we can guarantee is well worth the visit (and you don’t have to foot the bill for a room if you just want the experience). 

Situated out in Mae Rim, it’s not far from the city but you’d be fooled into thinking you made it much deeper into the jungle. Aside from the resort aspect, they have two incredible restaurants – KHAO and NORTH – a poolside bar that overlooks real rice paddies and a cooking school that’s supposed to be partnering with a global fine dining chef academy in the not-too-distant future. You can also bathe buffalo, dye indigo and learn about local herbs. All open to walk-ins, although you’ll need to book in advance. 

You can read our full review of the Four Seasons Chiang Mai here.

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Shifting back to real nature, you’ll notice a beautiful waterfall – but likely one you’ve never seen before. Thi Lo Su is no Erawan, but its staggered falls with rocky, limestone outcrops is one of Tak’s more spectacular destinations, and one that’s often overlooked.

As the camera pans, Lisa says: ‘In every breath, peace surrounds you.’ And in many ways, that’s exactly how it feels in person too. Deep in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary – a Unesco World Heritage site – the falls stand 300 meters high and 500 meters wide, but good luck getting there.

Best bet is to engage with a tour agency to get you out to the remote setting – some 30km from the nearest town, Umphang, via a semi-dirt road dubbed the ‘Umphang Death Highway’ that has more than 1,200 turns and more than a few stomach-dropping cliff edges.

Into the city (take note that we’ve yet to leave the north and we’re halfway through the campaign video), soft backgrounds of flickering candles set the scene as Lisa drifts through the grounds of Wat Chedi Luang – one of the key filming locations for the series. 

An ancient temple sat squarely in the centre of Chiang Mai’s old city built during the Lanna Kingdom era in the 14th century AD, at the time it was the largest building ever built on Thai soil. It’s best known for the towering historic chedi (stupa) at its centre that crumbled after an earthquake in 1545 which saw the upper 30m of it topple over.

The Yi Peng festival gets its moment in lights too, with lanterns lifting into the Chiang Mai sky and Wat Chedi Luang glowing by candlelight. Lisa joins in, making it feel less like a set piece and more like the real thing. Likely, it was. 

After a quick detour south, Lisa returns north as we fly over the ‘floating chedis’ of Wat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat in Lampang. Each chedi caps a peak, built by the hands of monks with a passion for rock climbing and religious servitude. 

Getting here is relatively easy but you’ll need to hire a pickup to take you to the trail head. Follow countless steps that twist and turn around the limestone outcrops before you come eye-level with the chedis themselves and striking views across Chae Hom district. Don’t forget to pay respects to the Buddha image at the top – hauled up by the same monks who built the chedis.

Beyond Wat Chedi Luang another temple featured is Nan’s historic Pu Man Ya Man mural – better known as ‘the whisper’.

It’s an image you’ve seen a thousand times, recreated on bags, t-shirts, wall art and souvenirs. But to see it in person adds a special connection to the story, especially with the rest of the inner-temple murals adding context. 

Getting here is much easier than any waterfall. Simply head to central Nan and visit Wat Phumin – the city’s most famous Thai Lue-style temple, an ethnic group native that spans southern China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. 

The murals are newer than the temple itself, painted by Thai Lue artists during the restoration of the temple at the end of the 19th century. Historians love it as it depicts not only religious tales, but also everyday life of the people in Nan – including families, pets, people smoking, doing trade and even the arrival of the French in the late 1800s. 

Phu Lang Ka in Phayao also gets its moment, with sweeping views of forested ridgelines rising above a vast sea of mist. Perched along the border of Phayao and Nan, this lesser-known viewpoint is best experienced at sunrise, when layers of low-lying clouds drift slowly through the valleys and the first light cuts across the peaks.

This is the one you see on big billboards in Bangkok, and although the whole world is wondering how Lisa made the hike in a full-body ball gown, we’ll suspend our disbelief because it’s such a beautiful shot. Note that it’s within a national park, so expect to pay for the experience. 

Another viewpoint featured is the better known Phu Chi Fa in Chiang Rai – one of Thailand’s most celebrated peaks that delivers that full, cinematic sense of scale. 

Floating over the border with Laos, the cliff-edge viewpoint stretches out over rolling mist and layered mountain ranges that seem to go on indefinitely into the rugged wilderness of Lao’s Bokeo province. 

It’s a sunrise spot for a reason. Arrive early and you’ll catch the first light spilling across the ridgelines, with clouds drifting low beneath your feet and the horizon slowly revealing itself. Camping is available a little way down but most people who come here opt for a homestay and shuttle package, getting you there just before dawn.