Attractions

Once the historical site of opium production, the late Royal Grandmother transformed Doi Tung into her summer residence and started rural development projects to discourage nearby hilltribe villages from producing opium. Nowadays, the scheme has been very successful and the villa flaunts a very attractive flower garden.

The northernmost region of Thailand is synonymous with the infamous Golden Triangle , the mystical, meeting point of 3 national borders (Thailand, Laos and Myanmar) historically connected to opium and heroin trade.

The historical towns of Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong dates back to 1300's and are beautifully set on the banks of the Mekong River across from Laos. They both boast impressive ruin temples and teak tress. A large Thai Lue community, an ethnic minority from China, sells their distinctive, multi-colored textiles and souvenirs in both towns.

Wat Phra That Pha Ngao is a 10th century temple situated on the hilltop south of Chiang Saen, offering exhilarating views of the Mekong River, Laos and surrounding countryside. It is well known for its distinctive bas relief works and the shiny white marbled chedi.

The northernmost town of Mae Sai is separated from Myanmar by a bridge, offering a good view and a chance for a brief crossing into the neighboring country. The town is bustling with traders from both countries daily, though mostly selling Myanmar goods like gems and handicrafts.


Continue pass the Princess Mother's Royal Chalet and hilltribe villages and you'll find Wat Phra That Doi Tung at the summit. Situated on a vantage location on the edge of a large cliff, there's no other comparable site for the spectacular view. The temple's twin chedis are believed to have been built in 911 to house the collarbone of the Lord Buddha.

Doi Mae Salong (Santi Khiri) , is famous for having one of the most scenic panoramas, with rolling hills dotted with hilltribe villages, rightfully earning its nickname Little Switzerland. Established in 1962, it was a center for exiled Chinese soldiers and a base for incursions into China. The area around there was lawless and dangerous until the 1980s. With the military's presence, the town is relatively peaceful, with Akha and Mien villagers strolling the streets that has an overall impression of being Chinese more than Thai. Try the Yunnan-style food and Oolong tea while there.

The architecture of the Overbrook Hospital is typical of the colonial style created by Westerners in the 19th and 20th centuries when the provincial city was a base for missionaries and traders. It is still in operation today.

According to legend, lightning struck and cracked the chedi of Wat Phra Kaew in 1436 revealing the plaster encasing the famous Emerald Buddha that is now housed in Bangkok. As the city's most revered temple, it features chapels with elaborate woodcarvings and one of the largest surviving bronze statues from the early Lanna period.

The Phu Ch i Fa (Mountain Pointing Towards the Sky) offers many scenic viewing points. The mountain peak is pointy and rises high into the sky. At the summit is a one squared kilometer open field. The lengthy cliff wall extends towards the Laotian side and is a great place for viewing Chiang Dong Village.

The Kok River flows through the town of Chiang Rai and is 130 kilometres long. Long-tailed boats can be rented from town to travel along the river, on both sides of which are lovely sceneries. Stops can be made at hilltribal villages of the Akha or Iko, Lisu, Karen, etc. Elephant rides are also available to see the surrounding area. Another river routed starts from Tha Ton in Chiang Mai going northward to Chiang Rai town. The trip takes about four hours. Trips by bamboo raft takes 3 days and 2 nights.

The King Mengrai the Great Memorial is located in the town 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.

The King Mengrai Stupa in front of Wat Ngam Muang atop Doi Ngam Muang in Muang district was built by King Chaisongkram to contain the remains of his father (King Mengrai).

The Wat Phra Sing ,on Singhak h lai 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.

Situated on Trairat Road in town centre, Wat Phra Kaeo 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 begin enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo during the reign of King Rama I 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.

Oub Kham Museum is located near Den Ha market, 1 kilometre from the centre of town . The collection embraces objects from the areas once belonging to, or affiliated with, the Lanna kingdoms : present north Thailand and some parts of northeast Myanmar, southwest China and Vietnam. Apart from ritual objects the collection mainly consists of objects used at the royal courts. Originally starting with lacquerware, silver jewelry and clothing. A golden bowl used by royals, is a masterpiece. It is open daily from 9 am.-6 pm. Admission fee is 100 baht per person. Call 0-5371-3349 for more information.

Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong , located on Doi Chom Thong on the bank of the Kok River within town area , contains what is believed to be the oldest Holy Relic even before King Mengrai b uilt Chiang Rai. A major religious site in Chiang Rai, i t 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.

Located at the former townhall, Ho Watthanatham Nithat is a museum exhibiting ancient art e facts and written records on history, literature and indigenous intelligence as well as exhibits on royal activities by the late Princess Mother at Doi Tung. It is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 8. 30 am. u ntil 3. 3 0 p.m.

The Nam Tok Khun Kon Forest Park can be reached by taking Highway No. 1211 from town. After 18 kilometres turn right and proceed on for another 12 kilometres. Or go along Highway No. 1 (Chiang Rai-Phayao) for about 15 kilometres where there is a right turn to proceed further another 17 kilometres, then a 30-minute walk to the waterfall. The highest and most scenic waterfall in Chiang Rai, the Khun Kon is some 70 metes high. Along the route to the site are cool, shady natural surroundings eminently suitable for relaxation and nature walk.