Meikong River

Covering 11,678sqkm, and with an average elevation of 580m above sea level, Chiang Mai is the most northerly province in Thailand, some 500 miles to the north of Bangkok. It was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom, and spent some time under Burmese rule before falling back into Thai hands and officially becoming first a Thai territory in 1786 and then a Thai province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.

Chiang Rai enjoys a fascinating location within the renowned Golden Triangle, where Thailand meets with Myanmar (Burma) and Laos, and it is also the gateway to Southern China. Less commercialised and consequently more laid back than its neighbour Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai nonetheless has a huge amount to offer the tourist – both natural attractions and spectacular scenery, places of historical importance and fascinating ethnic villages and hill tribes. It is also a wonderful place to go trekking in the jungle and there are numerous well marked trails.
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Getting to Chiang Rai

By Air

There are daily flights from Bangkok and other cities to Chiang Rai on a variety of airlines including Thai Airways International, Angle Airlines, Air Asia, Nok Air, One to Go, and SGA Airlines. Chiang Rai has an international airport (CEI) on Phaholyotin Road, five miles from downtown Chiang Rai.

By Road

The journey from Bangkok takes around 11 hours and you can choose from air conditioned or non air-conditioned coach or bus – services depart from the Northern Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2. You can also catch the deluxe coast from the Arcade Bus Terminal in Chiang Mai – the journey takes around three hours and a return ticket costs 520 baht.

Travelling by car, follow Highway 1 from Bangkok, then Highway 32, or Highway 118 from Chiang Mai.

By train
Chiang Rai does not have a train station, the nearest station being in Chiang Mai. You can catch the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai then transfer to a bus to Chiang Rai – see above.

Getting Around Chiang Rai

There is not much in the way of public transport in Chiang Rai, relying mainly on tuk tuks, songthaews and taxis. The town itself is small enough to explore on foot, but it is worth considering hiring a car or motorbike to explore further afield – there are car rental offices in Chiang Rai town. If you don’t fancy driving yourself, then it is possible to hire a car with a driver and the cost differential is minimal.

Top Ten Things to See and Do in Chiang Rai

1. Temples
There are numerous temples to visit in and around Chiang Rai – here are some of the most interesting: Wat Phra Kaeo is a beautiful Buddhist temple in the centre of town and is famous for having been the home of the Emerald Buddha during the 14^th century. The stature, one of the most famous Buddha images in Asia, is now hosed in Bangkok; Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temples, is quite a way from the centre of town along the AI (or Asia) Highway on the way to Chiang Mai. The temple itself is very modern and construction was only started 10 years ago and is due for completion this year, and was designed by a famous Thai artist, whose paintings are also displayed in a nearby gallery; Wat Phra Thai Doi Tung is a very important Buddhist temple and boasts some of the best views of any temple in Thailand. It is located on top of Doi Tung Mountain, the highest peak in the province, at 2000m, around 25 miles to the north west of Chiang Rai Town. From the top of the mountain you will be rewarded with breathtaking views over Myanmar and Laos. The temple itself dates back the the 10^th century, and was renovated by King Mengrai, the most famous ruler of Chiang Rai, during the 13^th century and again in the early 20^th century by a famous monk from Chiang Mai. There are two Lanna style chedis in the temple complex, and in one, there is said to be a holy relic – the Lord Buddha’s left collarbone, which attracted devout Buddhists from all over Asia; Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong is situated within Chiang Rai’s city walls, and was build in 1489 by Prince Thong Ngua, son of King Tilokkarat, who was the 12^th Lanna ruler. In the temple you will find a 1200kg seated statue of the Buddha, with a 2m wide lap. Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is a hilltop temple a mile or so from town with a pagoda containing a Buddha relic; close to Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is Wat Sangkha Kaeo Don Han, where you can see sketches on slabs of brick which tell the story of the various reincarnations of the Buddha; Wat Phra That Chedi Luang, nextdoor to the Chiang Saen National Museum, is an 88m high Lanna style chedi, built in 1290 by the third ruler of the Lanna kingdom, King Saen Phu. It is the tallest religious Lanna monument in the province; just to the west of Chiang Saen is Wat Pa Sak, named after the three hundred teak trees that were planted here when the temple was built in 1295. It is reputed to be the most beautiful example of Lanna temple architecture in the north of Thailand.

2. The Golden TriangleFor many, a visit to Chiang Rai is not complete without a trip into the infamous Golden Triangle, where Thailand meets with Laos and Myanmar on the Mekong River, and which was supposed to be the centre of poppy cultivation in the region. It is only a five mile journey north from Chiang Saen, along the road that runs parallel to the river, to the Golden Triangle, known locally as Sop Ruak. Within this area, you will be able to visit many ancient places and buildings, and learn more of the various legends surrounding the Lanna people’s ancestors. Hire a boat and travel downstream to Chiang Khong, or just to admire the stunning scenery of the Golden Triangle. One of the best places to visit within the Golden Triangle is the Hall of Opium at the Golden Triangle Park. Here you can learn about 5000 years of the history of opium, including its natural properties and its uses. It also tells the story of the Opium Wars, and opium’s journey around the world through the different trade routes in the days of the empires, and how the problems caused by opium were eventually brought under control. There is also a more contemporary message about drug use and the impact on society, as well as various paraphernalia linked with opium smoking and trading, including photographs and films from around the world.

3. Hill TribesOf course, one of the main attractions of a visit to the Chiang Rai region is the possibility to visit one of the resident hill tribes. Doi Mae Salong is where the Santi Khiri community make their home, in a village settled by the former Chinese 93^rd division of Nationalist soldiers who moved across the border from Myanmar into Thailand in the mid twentieth century. The village has since become famous for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning scenery, and is today a major tourist attraction with some wonderful restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, as well as picture perfect scenery, with cherry blossoms (in flower in December and January) and numerous hill tribes. It is a great base for trekking and horseriding. To get to Doi Mae Salong, take the road from Chiang Rai to Mae Chan for around 18 miles, before turning off and proceeding another 26 miles, which passes past a hot spring. You can make the return journey on smaller routes which will take you through Akha and Yao hill tribe villages. Mae Chan, located 18 miles north of Chiang Rai is a trading post where the Yao and Akha hill tribes sell their goods and buy produce and other items. Tourists can buy tribal handicrafts, especially silver items, at the local shops. Doi Hua Mae Kham, close to the Burmese border, is home to the Lisu hill tribe, though there are also Akha, Hmong and Muser tribes to be found in the region. This area is best visited in November when the place is awash with colour from the wild sunflowers.

4. Trekking and National ParksChiang Rai is becoming as well known as Chiang Mai for its trekking opportunities and its stunning national parks. The Khun Chae National Park is situated in Tambon Mae Chedi Mai, in the Wiang Pa Pao District of Chiang Rai, on highway 118 that links Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. You can take a jungle trek and even camp overnight in the park, though you need to bring all your own equipment and hire a guide. The route is not for the fainthearted as it travels through steep terrain and there are some cliffs over 1400m high, which offer some great views. There are areas of virgin jungle to explore, complete with some beautiful flora, some refreshing streams and waterfalls. The Doi Luang National Park, 40 miles to the south of Chiang Rai town in the Phan District is home to a number of hiking trails, and waterfalls, of which the largest and most impressive is Pu Kaeng, which has nine levels and has a good level of water flow all year round. You can also camp in the park. The Nam Tok Khun Kon Forest Park is around 20 miles from Chiang Rai town, and here you can see the province’s highest waterfall, the 70m Tat Mok falls. There are also numerous hiking trails within the park.

5. Chiang SaenChiang Saen is an ancient town on the banks of the Mekong River, and prior to the establishment of Chiang Rai by King Mengrai in 1262, it was the capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom. Originally named Wiang Hiran Nakhon Yang, the town of Chiang Saen boasts a rich cultural heritage, and some stunning natural attractions, making it a unique destination for tourists. Visit the ruins of the old double city walls, the antiquities and view the distinctive style of Buddhist sculpture for which Chiang Saen became known during the late thirteenth century. It is easy to get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen – there are plenty of organised tours, and numerous local buses make the journey, which costs round 20 baht one way and take between 45 minutes and two hours depending on traffic and the number of stops on the way. If you are travelling from Chiang Mai, it is a 4-5 hour journey, and that is using the new route – the old one takes more like 9 hours, so make sure you avoid that! If you fancy driving yourself, then hire a car or motorbike in Chiang Rai, and travel the 20 miles from the Mae Chan district via Highway 1016, or highway 110 out of the city, then onto 1016 for around 18 miles. Once in Chiang Saen, well worth a visit is the Chiang Saen National Museum, which has on display various artefacts that have been excavated from around the area, including a bronze Buddha image, and Lanna art objects, as well as musical instruments, ornaments and even opium smoking accessories used by the Thai Yai and Thai Lu hill tribes. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday between 9am and 4pm (except national holidays). If you head three miles south from Chiang Saen, you will come to the Chiang Saen Lake, a large reservoir where there are flocks are migratory waterbirds, best seen between November and February. There is a choice of accommodation here, as well as numerous water sports facilities. Just a short distance from the lake is Phra That Doi Pu Khao, a riverside temple believed to have been built in the mid 8^th Century, located just outside the Golden Triangle. From here you get some brilliant views of the mountains and rivers of the Golden Triangle. On the road from Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong is the Phra that Pha Ngao, a bell shaped chedi sitting atop huge boulders. Nearby there are some enshrined Buddha statures and it is worth coming up here for the views over the Mekong River, towards Laos and back over the town of Chiang Saen too.

6. Mae Sai
Nearly 40 miles from Chiang Rai Town is the town of Mae Sai, the most northernmost district in Thailand, which shares borders with Tha Khi Lek in Myanmar. It is possible for tourists to cross into Myanmar via a bridge over the Mae Sai River, and visit the market at Tha Khi Lek – you just need to present your passport and pay a charge to the immigration officials at the checkpoint. You can also book yourself onto a tour to Chiang Tung, 100 miles to the north, further into Myanmar.

7. Culture and HeritageThe north of Thailand boasts numerous cultural attractions and the area around Chiang Rai is no exception. Wiang Kalong is a new attraction, located around 10 miles from Wiang Pa Pao, where ancient furnaces have been found, which are believed to have been used to make terracotta utensils called Kalong. Take the Divided Highway for five miles from Chiang Rai, then take the Highway 118 to Wiang Pa Pao, a journey of around 50 miles. This is a handy stopping off point if you are travelling from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai on the Doi Saket Highway; Rai Mae Fah Luang is a centre for Lanna Studies as well as a cultural centre dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Lanna culture. The centre has five main areas, which are as follows: the botanical garden and nature park; the Golden Pavilion; the Small Golden Pavilion; a ceremonial space for rituals; and a gallery of Lanna Cultural Arts. The centre is open daily from Tuesday to Sunday between 10am and 6pm, and entry costs 200 baht. One museum in the town well worth a visit is the Oub Kham Museum, near Den Ha Market just outside the town centre. The museum houses a collection of artefacts from all over Northern Thailand, as well as from parts of Vietnam, Myanmar and China – places that formed part of the ancient Lanna kingdoms. The museum is open every day from 9am until 6pm and entry is 100 bahts.

8. The Kok RiverThe 80 mile long river that runs through the centre of the town of Chiang Rai is one of the area’s greatest attractions. The river runs from Thathon in the north of Chiang Mai province, to Chiang Rai city, and then merges with the Mekong River at Chiang Khong. You can take a boat, raft or trekking trip from Baan Thathon into the surrounding mountains, or take a longtailed boat up and down stream, making stops at various hilltribe villages, including the Akha, Iko, Lisu and Karen tribes. Other stops en route down the river include the Buddha Cave, a cave temples, at an elephant camp, where you can go trekking; a hot spring and a riverside tribal village.

9. GolfChiang Rai is also becoming increasingly popular and well known for its golf courses, and golf resort accommodation. There are two top class golf courses close to Chiang Rai town, including the Santiburi Golf Course, six miles east of the city, which has been rated as one of the five best courses in the country. There is also the Waterford Valley, 22 miles north east of Chiang Rai, in what is one of the prettiest areas in the country. For less discriminating golfers there are a couple of 9 hole courses in town, the Old Airport Course (unsurprisingly at the old airport), and the Army course close to Mae Fa Luang Bridge.

10. Doi TungDoi Tung is the most northerly mountain in Thailand, located in the Mae Fa Luang District of Chiang Mai Province, and is home to a number of scenic attractions making it well worth a visit. To get there, take the Highway 110 for 30 miles before turning onto Highway 1140, which is a sealed road which leads all the way to the mountain. The road itself is very scenic and there are plenty of places to stop on the way. Notable places to visit in the area include the Doi Tung Palace and Royal Villa, the Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden, the Wat Phra That Doi Tung (see above), and various hill-tribe villages. On the way up to the top of Doi Tung you will poass through the Panee Akha Village, which is one of the most easily accessible Akha hill-tribe settlements in the province of Chiang Rai, and boasts a beautifully scenic setting. The Phra Tamnak Doi Tung, or Royal Villa at Doi Tung, is on the slopes or the Pa Kluay reservoir, and was a winter retreat and final residence for the Princess Mother, mother to the current king, who died in 1995. The villa is an interesting architectural mix of traditional Lanna style combined with a Swiss chalet! The premise behind building it here was that the local tribes would feel so honoured by the presence of a royal in their midst that they would cease their cultivation of opium! The main attraction of the villa is the landscaped gardens, the Mae Fah Luang Garden, which is filled with some gorgeous plants of flowers and is named after the Princess Mother.

11. Chiang KhongThis tranquil district on the banks of the Mekong River, 72 miles from Chiang Rai town, or 34 miles form Chiang Saen, and is home to the giant catfish – here there is a fishery which is renowned for breeding the largest freshwater fish in the world. There are plenty of sightseeing trips available by boat in the area which will enable you to view the stunning scenery as well as observing the lifestyle of those who make their living on the Mekong River. Whilst here, also visit Ban Hat Bai, a Thai Lu community renowned for the beautiful fabrics that they weave. From here you can cross over into Laos – though you must contact the Immigration Services or a recognised tour operator in Chiang Khong first.