The northernmost province in Thailand, Chiang Rai is renowned for its position within the infamous Golden Triangle, the mountainous area where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge.
- Chiang Rai: Known for the iconic White Temple and night markets, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary Thai culture.
- Mae Salong: Famous for its tea plantations and Chinese heritage, with stunning mountain views.
- Mae Sai: The northernmost town, known for bustling markets and a border crossing to Myanmar.
- Chiang Saen: Historic town along the Mekong River, near the Golden Triangle with ancient ruins and temples.
Best known for its hill tribe communities and its natural beauty, Chiang Rai was designated as a province in 1910 during the reign of King Rama IV.
An area once famous for its vast fields of opium poppies, the province is now a popular tourist destination for those seeking outdoor adventure and evidence of ancient settlements. Within its many districts and sub-districts are spectacular ruins and some of the oldest Buddhist shrines in the country.
Chiang Saen is the site of an ancient city and several of the ruins can be seen scattered around the modern town. Chiang Khong is a popular destination for travelers heading for Laos, as this is where you can cross the border and take a boat downstream. Sop Ruak is a tiny town that acts as the destination for visitors to the Golden Triangle, while Mae Sai is one of the main crossing points into Myanmar.
The mountainous region between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai harbors some quaint towns like Mae Salong, where most inhabitants are descendants of Chinese immigrants, Doi Tung, where the Princess Mother once resided in her magnificent villa surrounded by manicured gardens, and Ban Thoet Thai, former hang-out of opium warlord Khun Sa.
Buddhists from all over the region, and as far as Laos and Myanmar, make a yearly pilgrimage of sorts to Wat Phra That Doi Tung, an atmospheric temple that sits at the mountain summit. It is accessible by way of an impossibly meandering road that winds back and forth up the mountainside for 17km. Almost as if to compensate for the slow and tortuous upward journey, the panoramic view is without equal, with mountain ridges receding into the distance.
Where to Go
Highlights
- Wat Rong Khun: (The White Temple) A contemporary and ornate white temple known for its unique architecture and intricate art.
- Mae Fah Luang Arts and Cultural Park: A cultural park showcasing Lanna architecture, art, and botanical gardens.
- Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden: A former royal residence with beautiful gardens and views of the surrounding mountains.
- Chiang Rai: (Night Bazaar) A bustling market offering local handicrafts, food, and performances.
- Phu Chi Fa: A scenic mountain viewpoint offering stunning sunrise views over a sea of mist and the Mekong River.
Top Cities
- Chiang Rai: The provincial capital known for its cultural attractions, including the White Temple and night markets.
- Mae Salong: Is a picturesque mountain village known for its tea plantations, Chinese-influenced culture, and stunning views of the surrounding hills.
- Mae Sai: A border town at the northernmost point of Thailand, known for its bustling markets and the Mae Sai Bridge connecting to Myanmar.
- Chiang Saen: A historic town along the Mekong River, known for its ancient ruins and proximity to the Golden Triangle.
National Parks
- Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden: Known for its beautiful gardens, this area includes a national park offering trails and scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
- Mae Fah Luang Arts and Cultural Park: While primarily a cultural park, it is part of a larger area that includes forested hills and nature trails.
- Phu Chi Fa Forest Park: Famous for its breathtaking cliff-edge viewpoint offering panoramic views, especially at sunrise, over a sea of mist and the Mekong River.
Orientation
- Phu Chi Fa: A scenic mountain area renowned for its breathtaking sunrise views over a sea of mist.
- Chiang Rai: Known for the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and for hilltribe trekking.
- Doi Tung: Famous for the Doi Tung Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden, and sustainable development projects.
- Mae Salong: A mountain town renowned for its tea plantations, Chinese heritage, and stunning landscapes.
- Ban Thoet Thai: A remote village believed to be the first Akha village in the country and as a former stronghold of the opium trade.
- Chiang Khong: A riverside town famous for its role as a border crossing into Laos and its scenic views of the Mekong River.
- Chiang Saen: A historic town along the Mekong River, notable for its ancient ruins and temples.
- Mae Sai: The northernmost town in Thailand, known for its bustling border market and access to Myanmar.
- Sop Ruak: Known as the Golden Triangle, the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, and its opium history museum.