Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI

The northernmost province of Thailand, Chiang Rai is situated on the Kok River basin 416 metres above sea level. With an area of some 11,678 square Kilometres. It is about 785 Kilometres from Bangkok. Mostly mountainous, it reaches the Mae Khong River to the north and borders on both Myanmar and Laos.

The province is rich in tourism resources in terms of natural attractions and antiquities and evidence of its past civilisation. It is also home to several hilltribes who follow fascinating ways of life. Chiang Rai is also a tourism gateway into Myanmar and Laos

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Chiang Rai is administratively divided into the following districts Muang, Phan, Thoeng, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Wiang Pa Pao, Chiang Khong, Mae Suai, Chiang Saen, Pa Daet, Wiang Chai, Phata Mengrai, Wiang Kaen, Mae Fa Luang, Khun Tan, Mae Lao, Wiang Chiang Rung and Doi Luang.

Doi Tung


is located in Mae Fa Luang district, reachable by taking Highway No. 110 for about 48 kilometres. Then turn left onto Highway No. 1149, an asphalt road leading to Doi Tung. The route winds through beautiful scenery and with many interesting sites. These include the Doi Tung Palace and the Mae Fa Luang Garden, Akha and Muser tribal villages. There are also view points and the Phra That Doi Tung Holy Relic, an old religious site atop the Doi, about 2,000 metres above sea level.

The Golden Triangle


is about 9 kilometres from the Chiang Saen old town to the north along the road parallel to the Mae Khong River. The area is locally referred to as "Sop Ruak", Where the Mae Khong meets the Ruak River. This is where the borders of three countries, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, come together. There are remains of many ancient places and structures attesting to the area having been settled by people in the past. It is also where various legends on the Lanna ancestors originate.

Mae Sai

Mae Sai which is about 62 kilometers from the provincial seat on Highway No. 110 is Thailand's northern-most district. Mae Sai borders on Myanmar's Tha Khi Lek marked by the Mae Sai River with a bridge spanning both sides. Foreign visitors are allowed to cross over to Tha Khi Lek market by presenting their passports and paying a fee at the Mae Sai immigration checkpoint. In addition, there are tour services to Chiang Tung in Myanmar, which is approximately 160 kilometers north by road.

Wat Rong Khun


Wat Rong Khun is also known as the White Temple. Whereas most temples visited by tourists have a history going back many centuries, this magnificent place of worship was built only recently. It is the realization of a dream for Thailands noted artist, Mr Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed and is supervising the construction of this beautiful white temple and its many statues of figures based on religious beliefs. The construction started in 1998 and is expected to be completed in 2008. In addition, there is a gallery nearby exhibiting his paintings. To get there from the city of Chiang Rai, drive north along Asia Highway.

Doi Mae Salong


is the site of Santi Khiri village, a community settled by remnants of the former Chinese 93rd Division who moved from Myanmar to Thai territory since 1961. Today it is a major tourist attraction with its small town ambience on high hills, delicious native Chinese dishes and small hotels and guesthouses catering to visitors. During December - February, the hills are alive with pinkish Sakuras.

Wat Phra That Doi Tung


Wat Phra That Doi Tung is situated on top of Doi Tung Mountain, the highest mountain in Chiang Rai Province with an elevation of approximately 2,000 meters, about 50 kilometers south of Mae Sai town which is near the Myanmar border. The temple can be reached via a 40-kilometer mountain road which meanders along the mountainside. The journey is worthwhile as the panoramic views into Laos and Myanmar at the peak are spectacular.

The King Mengrai the Great Memorial


is located in the Muang District on the intersection leading to Mae Chan. Originally, King Mengrai was the ruler of Nakhon Hiran Ngoen Yang (an ancient town on the bank of the Mae Khong around Chiang Saen) before Chiang Rai was established as the administrative centre in 1262. He consolidated his power by merging the different city-states in the North and founded the Lanna Thai Kingdom in 1296 with Chiang Mai as the capital.

Phu Chi Fa
Another viewing point is Phu Chi Fa which is some 25 kilometres south of Doi Pha Tang in Toeng district. Visitors can stay overnight at Ban Rom Fa Thong and Ban Rom Fa Thai. From here a trail leads up to the viewing point on top of the hill, a distance of 1.8 kilometres. From the sheer cliff of Phu Chi Fa can be seen spectacular scenes, especially the sea of mist at sunrise. The cool climate produces colourful flowering shrubs of various species.

Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong


located on Doi Chom Thong on the bank of the Kok River within Muang district, contains what is believed to be the oldest Holy Relic even before King Mengrai built Chiang Rai. A major religious site in Chiang Rai, it was from here that King Mengrai spotted the strategic location on which to establish the town. The Chedi containing the Holy Relic was probably renovated at the same time the town was being built.

Wat Phra Kaew


Situated on Trairat Road in town centre, Wat Phra Kaew was where one of Thailand's most important Buddha statues was discovered in 1444. The statue had been moved by various state rulers to be placed in their respective capitals as a symbol of dominance, including Lampang, Chiang Rai and Vientiane before finally being enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew during the reign of King Rama l of the Rattanakosin Period. The temple also houses a 700 years old bronze statue, Phra Chao Lan Thong, which is housed in the Chiang Saen-style Ubosot.

Wat Phra Sing


Wat Phra Sing is located near the townhall used to house a major Buddha statue, the Phra Buddha Sihing which is now enshrined in Chiang Mai. A special feature is the Lanna-style Ubosot and the wooden door panels carved by Chiang Rai contemporary craftsmen. Tel: 0 5374 5038on Singhaklai Road near the townhall used to house a major Buddha statue, the Phra Buddha Sihing which is now enshrined in Chiang Mai. A special feature is the Lanna-style Ubosot and the wooden door panels carved by Chiang Rai contemporary craftsmen.

Mae Chan
Mae Chan, which is about 29 kilometers to the north of Chiang Rai, serves as a trading post where the Akha and Yao hill people sell their goods and buy manufactured items. Silver and other tribal handicrafts are available at local shops.

Oub Kham Museum
Oub Kham Museum is located near Den Ha market, one kilometer from the town center. The collection includes objects from the areas once belonging to or affiliated with the Lanna kingdoms encompassing northern Thailand and some parts of northeast Myanmar, southwest China and Vietnam.

Rai Mae Fah Luang
Rai Mae Fah Luang is a cultural centre and centre of Lanna Studies dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Lanna heritage.

Wat Doi Thong
Wat Doi Thong (Phra That Chomthong) sits atop a hill above the northwest side of town, up a steep staircase off Kaisornrasit Road. This location where King Mengrai is believed to have chosen the site for his new Lanna Capital offers an overview of the town and a panorama of the Mae Kok Valley. The chedi of Wat Doi Tong containing what is believed to be the oldest Holy Relic was probably renovated at the same time that the town as being built. The circle of columns at the top of the hill surrounds the city's new lak muang (city pillar), built to commemorate the 725th anniversary of the city and King Bhumibhol's 60th birthday.

Doi Pha Mon Agricultural Center
Doi Pha Mon is located at Amphoe Thoeng. During the winter months visitors are treated to splendid flower bed s of tulips, lilies, red salvia, poinsettias, etc. To get to Doi Pha Mon from the city, go along Highway No. 1020, then take Highway No. 1155. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.

The Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center
The Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center in Mae Fah Luang University. This was established through the cooperation of Mae Fa Luang University and the People’s Republic of China. The center was built as a memorial to honor Her Royal Highness Princess grandmother’s 100th birthday as a symbol of friendship between the two nations.

The Hall of Opium
The Hall of Opium at the Golden Triangle Park houses several sections to be explored and various exhibitions to be contemplated. For example, the 5,600 square-meter Hall of Opium presents An Invitation to the Mysterious World of Opium from Darkness to Light, the history of opium as of 5,000 years ago from its natural properties to its uses. It traces opium's global journey through trade routes in the age of imperialism, culminating in the Opium Wars-an event that disgraced both winners and losers that led to the fall of the Manchu Dynasty. It also features Siamese wisdom in confronting the West and the eventual control of opium problems.

Doi Luang National Park
Doi Luang National Park is 65 kilometers south of Chiang Rai town and covers an area of 1,170 square kilometers in Phan District. Apart from hiking trails, the forested park features a few waterfalls of which the largest is Pu Kaeng Waterfall. This impressive fall has nine leaps and flows all year round. To reach Pu Kaeng Waterfall drive along the Chiang Rai-Phayao route for 58 kilometers to arrive at Ban Pu Kaeng. At kilometer 77, take a right turn and proceed on for another 9 kilometers. It is a large waterfall amid virgin jungle with water cascading down limestone brooks. Camping areas and jungle trekking services are available.

The Khun Chae National Park
at Tambon Mae Chedi Mai of Wiang Pa Pao district can be reached by taking the Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai route ( Highway No. 1188). The park headquarters is right next to the highway at Kms. 55-56. Visitors wishing to undertake a jungle trek and camp within the park need to have the services of a guide and prepare their own camping equipment. The trek through the Khun Chae jungle is for adventure travel enthusiasts as the route passes through steep terrain and several hilltops and cliffs over 1,400 metres height. There are good viewing points and trekkers can enjoy waterfalls, flowing streams and virgin jungle areas lush with plant life.

Bo Nam Ron
or hot spring, located at Tambon Mae Chedi Mai on the Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai road at Kms. 64-65, is found next to a stream. Villagers sell eggs to tourists to boil in the hot spring.

Wat Sangkha Kaeo Don Han
Situated not far away from Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is Wat Sangkha Kaeo Don Han where sketches on brick slabs tell stories about the various reincarnations of the Lord Buddha.

Wiang Ka Long
is a community about 16 kilometres from the district office of Wiang Pa Pao. Here have been found remains of ancient furnaces used to make terra cotta utensils. The furnaces are shaped like turtleshell of various sizes with a width of 2 to 5 metres.

Pu Kaeng Waterfall
is the site of Doi Luang National Park's headquarters located in Phan district. To reach it, go on the Chiang Rai-Phayao route for 58 kilometres to arrive at Bang Pu Kaeng. At Km. 77, take amid virgin jungle with water cascading down limestone brooks. There are camping area and jungle trekking services.

Doi Pha Tang
located in Wiang Kaen district some 160 kilometres from the provincial town, is a viewing point on top of a high cliff over the Thai-Laotian border affording a delightful scene of the river and the sea of mist throughout the year. During December-January, blooming Sakuras provide a picturesque scenery. It is home to the Chinese Haw, the Hmong and Yao minorities. The Haws are the remnants of the 93rd Chinese Division who moved in to settle on Doi Pha Tang.

Chiang Khong
is a small, peaceful district on the bank of the Mae Khong opposite Muang Huai of Laos. lt is about 115 kilometres from the provincial seat, or some 55 kilometres from Chiang Saen on Highway No. 1129 to the east. Chiang Khong is noted as the place where Pla Buk, the giant catfish, are caught. The fishing season is from mid-January to May. The Chiang Khong Fishery Station is able to inseminate and breed this largest fresh-water fish in the world. Fingerlings bred here have been released in several rivers. Sight-seeing trips by boat are available to view the scenery and life along the Mae Khong. A stop can be made at Ban Hat Bai, a Thai lu community noted for making beautiful local material. To crossover the Muang Huai Sai in Laos, contact the immigration office at Chiang Khong.

Phra That Pha Ngao
About 4 kilometres from Chiang Saen on the road to Chiang Khong is Phra That Pha Ngao. There is a bell shaped Chedi standing on large boulders. Nearby is a Wihan where several old Chiang Saen-style Buddha statues are enshrined. There is also a viewing point to enjoy scenery of the Mae Khong and of Chiang Saen itself.

Phra That Doi Pu Khao
is located on the hill just before the Golden Triangle and is believed to have been built by a king of Wiang Hirannakhon Ngoen Yang in mid-8th century. Remains of antiquities still visible today are only the Wihan and crumbled Chedis.

The Chiang Saen Lake
is a large natural reservoir with scenic surroundings. Large flocks of waterfowls immigrate to the site during winter. About five kilometres from the distract town on the Chiang Saen-mae Chan route is a left turn. Proceed on for another 2 kilometres to reach the site.

Wat Phra That Chom Kitti
There are also several ancient sites outside the city wall including Wat Phra That Chom Kitti, about 1.7 kilometres from town, and Wat Sangkha Kaeo Don Han where sketches on brick slabs tell stories about the various lives of the Lord Buddha.