North

Chiang Rai 

The neighbor of Chiang Mai, northernmost province of Thailand. Chiang Rai is bordered by Shan State of Myanmar to the north, Bokeo Province of Laos to the east, Phayao to the south. Lampang to the southwest and Chiang Mai to the west. 

Chiang Rai is a land of outstanding, endowed with abundant  natural. Attractions range from ruins of ancient settlements and Buddhist shrines to magnificent mountain scenery and where visitors can visit remote hill tribes. For those who interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is a magical experience, spot exotic wildlife, explore the mountains of the north along various hiking trails and visit the hilltop temple; Wat Phra Tat Chom Kitti which offers a unique view of the Mekong River, Laos and Chiang Saen and then check out the golden triangle, This famed border location where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong River. Chiang Rai used to be the centre of the world's opium trade in the former time. This is very good chance to explore "The Hall of Opium"

The geography average elevation of the province is 580 m. The north of the province belongs to the so-called Golden Triangle, at which the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma converge - an area which prior to the rise of agricultural production of coffee, pineapple, coconuts and banana plantations, was unsafe because of the drug smuggling across the borders. The Mekong river forms the boundary with Laos, the Mae Sai and Ruak River to Burma. Through the town of Chiang Rai itself, flows the 'Mae Kok' Kok River and south of it the Lao River, a tributary of the Kok.

While the eastern part of the province is characterized by relatively flat river plains, the northern and western part consist of the hilly terrain of the Hills of Northern Thailand with the Khun Tan Range and the Phi Pan Nam Range in the west and the Daen Lao Range in the north. While not the highest elevation of the province, the 1389 m high Doi Tung (Flag hill) is the most important hill. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung temple on top of the hill according to the chronicles dates back to the year 911. Nearby is the Doi Tung royal villa, former residence of the Late Princess mother (mother of the present king) Somdej Phra Srinagarindra. Thanks to her activities the hills were reforested, and the hill tribes changed from growing poppies to other crops including coffee, bananas,coconut and pineapple.

Attractions

• Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park (Rai Mae Fah Luang); is located at Pa Ngiw Village, about 5 kilometers from the city center. It was founded by the late Princess Mother, who bought a 140 rai plot to set up a center for developing the youths from rural areas under the supervision of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. The garden is a park cum museum preserving Lanna cultural objects.
• Doi Tung (ดอยตุง); is a revered mountain which includes the Doi Tung Palace and the Mae Fa Luang Flower Garden. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung Holy Relic, an old religious site on top of the mountain, is about 2,000 metres above sea level.
• Wat Rong Khun (วัดร่องขุ่น); This temple was designed and built by artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. A white ordination hall – Phra Ubosot - is decorated with silver glittering pieces of mirrors. There are large mural paintings of the Lord Buddha in different gestures.
• The Golden Triangle (สามเหลี่ยมทองคำ); locally called "Sop Ruak", is where the Mekhong meets the Ruak River and also where the borders of three countries, Laos, Burma and Thailand, meet together. There are remains of many ancient places and structures attesting to the area having been settled by people in the past.
• Doi Mae Salong (ดอยแม่สลอง); is home to a community settled by remnants of the 93rd Division of the Republic of China Army, who moved out of Yunnan province, China, in to Burma and after to Thai territory at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Today the town is a tourist attraction renowned for its tea and its small-town ambience on high hills.
• Wat Phra Kaeo (วัดพระแก้ว); once housed Thailand's most revered Buddha image, the Emerald Buddha. It 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 enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo during the reign of King Rama I of the Rattanakosin period.
• Kok River (แม่น้ำกก); flows through the town of Chiang Rai and is 130 kilometres long. Long-tailed boats and cruises can be made from town to travel. Hill tribe villages in the area are popular with travelers.
• Amphoe Mae Sai: Mae Sai (แม่สาย); borders on Burma's Tachileik (ท่าขี้เหล็ก) marked by the Mae Sai River with a bridge spanning both sides. The area has a market selling lots of different goods.
• Chiang Saen (เชียงแสน); an ancient town which once served as the main town before King Mengrai established Chiang Rai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom in 1262. Traces of old double city walls and many other antiquities still remain in and outside the district town. The attractions include Chiang Saen National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติเชียงแสน), Wat Phra That Chedi Luang (วัดพระธาตุเจดีย์หลวง) and Wat Pa Sak (วัดป่าสัก).
• Phu Chi Fa (ภูชี้ฟ้า); There is a trail which leads from a parking lot up to the viewing point on the top of this mountain, a distance of 1.8 kilometres. From the sheer cliff of Phu Chi Fa, views, especially the sea of clouds at sunrise, can be seen. The cool climate produces flowering shrubs of various species.

Adventure

• Trekking An extensive network of trails mainly used by hill tribe villagers covers the mountain areas of Mae Suai, Mae Salong, Doi Chaang and the banks along the Mae Kok River.
• Rock Climbing Limestone karst hills are located mostly in the north and western parts of the province. Some have straight-up sides - potentially great for climbing, though often vine covered and, as yet, unexplored. The only designated rock climbing park in Chiang Rai is Boomerang Park, with cleared routes for top rope climbing for all skill levels.
• Mountain Biking Chiang Rai has incredible mountain biking because of the extensive network of paved roads with little traffic and dirt roads in the mountains. A nice day ride is to start in the city, go out to the elephant village and continue on past it until you find a small single track suspension bridge. Cross it and turn left, back towards Chiang Rai. On the way you will pass two hot springs and eventually end up back in the city.
• Caving 1 km up the Mae Kok river, west of Chiang Rai town, is 'Crouching Lion Hill.' It parallels the Mae Kok river and has a Buddha cave on its west end, and an easy-access cave near its east end. The eastern cave is actually a 3-chambered cave, each with a natural skylight at its apex, the largest chamber is as big as a giant sequoia tree. Trekkers can use it to walk through the entire hill. The hill also hosts the largest red fig tree in Thailand, halfway down its riverside walkway.

Other activities;

• Views of City Buffalo Horn Hill has a splendid overview of Chiang Rai. Take the old road to Chiang Mai, called Thanon Ratchayotha. After a few kilometres, a hill can be seen on the left. Take a left at Nongpoung Soi 3 and wind toward the hill with the temple on top. Other sweeping views can be gained from the top of Doi Kong Kao (Rice Box Hill) 4 km west of town. There's a steep walkway up its western side, well worth it. There is a 3 m standing gold-coloured Buddha statue at its summit. The summit of the 90 m vertical limestone cliff at Boomerang Park affords a view of the city and miles of the river valley, though it's a bouldering scramble up its west flank to get there.
• Waterfalls and Hot Springs Kun Korn is a 70 m waterfall about 15 km south of town. Take a right at the wooden sign of the same name. Take the scenic windy road to its end. A smaller set of waterfalls is northwest of town at Mae Sai hill tribe village (not the border town of the same name). There's also a hill tribe museum at that village. Yet another pair of rather large waterfalls is west of town at an Akha village. Go west from town, along the south side of the river, for about 19 km, and look for signs which lead you left in to steep hills. Pong Phra Bat hot springs; Take highway 1 north out of Chiang Rai, to the first village (Bandu)/turn left just after the big market on the Highway. Go for about 5 km. If you continue on that road to its end, you get to Pong Prabat waterfall, which is a year 'round steam winding through a very nice forest. Another hot springs is Pha Soet, near the river. It's located on a winding road going directly west out of town, which parallels the river - about 29 km. Huai Hin Fon hot springs and nearby waterfall are 7.5 km west of Mae Chan, on the south side of the road.
• Volunteer The International Humanity Foundation has an orphanage and education centre. Voluntourists are encouraged to teach English, math, and computer classes, and play with and become friends with the children. Akha Hill House also requires volunteers to help teach the Akha hill tribe children English or to work on the website. 
• Golf There are two high class golf courses east of Chiang Rai. Santiburi is 10 km east of town and Waterford Valley is 35 km northeast of town. In town there are two 9-hole courses. The Army Course that you find close to Mae Fa Luang Bridge and The Old Airport course, which also has a driving range. You can also find a golf instructor there.
• Challenging and Educational Activities called Farm Ken it's a group of houses at a rural site with organic orchards. It has 62 avocado trees, and the only grapefruit trees in Thailand. Located at the small village of Hoy Plakang, just 2 km north of Chiang Rai. Some projects include; solar energy, playground devices for childrens' recreation, small alternative power projects, and innovative buildings are going up at a steady clip. Once in awhile we host a 'harmony workshop' which takes a group of folks and gets them singing harmonies, even if they claim they don't have any musical talent.
• Central Plaza Movie Theatre Central Plaza has a movie theatre that shows English-language movies.

Nightlife

The provincial town (amphoe muang) has a few live music pubs and discothèques. Aimed at foreign tourists, there is traditional music and performances in the Night Bazaar. There are also plenty of beer bars, some with hostesses, around town.

Life style and Local culture

The north of Thailand's culture is Lanna in origin and the people are very proud of their northern roots. The region is home to distinctly different food, music, arts, way of life and even language. Chiang Rai is also a melting pot of hill tribes and their own unique cultures.

• Khon Muang are the city folk who originally came from Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang and Phrae. Culturally, they design their houses having only one floor with wooden gable-decorations called Ka-Lae. They are known for their craftsmanship in wood carving, weaving, lacquerware and musical instruments.
• Tai Yai, Burmese in origin, harvest rice, farm, raise cattle and trade. Their craftsmanship lies in weaving, pottery, wood carving and bronzeware.
• Akha have the largest population of any hill tribe in the region. Originating from Tibet and Southern China, they dwell on high grounds around 1,200 meters above sea-level. Within their villages they build a Spirit Gateway to protect them from evil spirits.
• Lahu are also from the Yunnese area and live in high areas. They are known as hunters and planters. Karen live in various areas of the region which have valleys and riverbanks.
• Chin Hor, these are the former Kuomintang who took refuge in the area, mainly Doi Mae Salong Hmong from southern China are located on high land. They raise livestock and grow rice, corn, tobacco and cabbage. They are also known for their embroidery and silver.
• Tai Lue live in dwellings of usually only a single room wooden house built on high poles. They are skilled in weaving.
• Lisaw from southern China and Tibet are renowned for their colorful dress and also build their dwellings on high poles. They harvest rice and corn and their men are skilled in hunting.
• Yao reside along mountain sides and grow corn and other crops. They are skilled blacksmiths, silversmiths and embroiders.

Festivals

• Wai Sa Phaya Mengrai or Phokhun Mengrai Maharat Festival (งานไหว้สาพญาเม็งราย หรือ งานพ่อขุนเม็งรายมหาราช) is held from January 23 – February 1. The Buang Suang worshipping ceremony is to commemorate Phokhun Mengrai Maharat.
• Dok Siao Ban or Blooming Siao Flower Festival at Phu Chi Fa (งานดอกเสี้ยวบานที่ภูชี้ฟ้า) is held during 13–15 February. There are sports competitions and cultural performances from hilltribes at Ban Rom Fa Thai in Amphoe Thoeng.
• Songkran Festival and Boat Races of Mueang Chiang Saen (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์และแข่งเรือเมืองเชียงแสน) is held during 13–18 April of each year. In this festival, there is a parade, water bathing ceremony of the Phrachao Lanthong Buddha image, boat races and folk performances.
• Lichi Fair (งานเทศกาลลิ้นจี่และของดีเมืองเชียงราย) is held around the middle of May every year. There is a float competition, Lichi beauty contest and booths of many products at the provincial stadium of Chiang Rai.
• Buatong Ban or Blooming Mexican Sunflower Festival (งานเทศกาลดอกบัวตองบาน) is held in November, affording people the opportunity to see the sunflower fields, waterfalls and mist at Ban Hua Mae Kham, Amphoe Mae Fa Luang. There are also hilltribe performances.
• Chiang Rai Flower Festival (งานเทศกาลเชียงรายดอกไม้บาน) is held during the end of December to January every year. There are flower processions, flower gardens, Miss Thinn Thai Ngarm Contest and also the fair of agricultural products and the variety of flowers.
• Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, and Doi Mae Salong are three substantially different places. Chiang Saen's culture has been influenced by its collection of Buddhist scriptures and temples. It was once the provincial capital. Mae Chan's name lies in its silver and tribal handicrafts. Once officially unrecognized by the Thai government, Doi Mae Salong is a Chinese KMT (Kuomintang) area renowned for its natural beauty and unique Yunnanese culture. Besides the Chinese 93rd Infantry of the Kuomintang, several other ethnic minorities have settled down in the region including the Tai Yai, Tai Lue, Tai Khoen and Tai Yuan.

Art and Local Products

Chiang Rai is rich in handicraft items such as hand-woven cotton materials in bright colored festive garments, dresses and hilltribe silver ornaments, as well as wood-carving products. Certain food items are quite popular such as Naem and Mu Yo (preserved and fermented pork sausages). Agricultural products include lychee (April–May), bananas, coconuts, coffee, pineapples, tea, and other products from the royal projects.

Art;

• The area is known for its traditional Lanna music with instruments such as the sau (fiddle) and kaen (panpipe).
• The north of Thailand has its own distinctive art and crafts including bronze casting, carving, mulberry paper, Buddha Images and sign painting.
• Local handmade items popular with tourists are clay charcoal stoves, tea sets, brooms and dust-pans, and umbrellas for shade and decoration.
• Some of the craftswork is made for spiritual purposes.

How to get to Chiang Rai;

By plane Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) is located on Phaholyotin Rd 8 km from the centre of Chiang Rai. Car rental is available on arrival from Avis.

At a desk in the airport you can hire a pre-paid taxi. It costs about 200-300 baht to the city centre and more to other places (the prices are on display). It will take you to your hotel, or the driver will find you one if you give him the price range you want to pay.

The airport is served by AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Airways, to Bangkok. China Eastern Airlines offers three direct flights per week to/from Kunming China.

By Bus There are two bus stations in Chiang Rai: the old bus station and new bus station. There is a songthaew (officially a "minibus") connecting the two bus terminals. It costs 10 baht per person and takes 15 minutes. Some drivers ask you to pay more if there are fewer than 10 passengers, despite what the official price list posted inside the songthaew says. You can just wait for the next one and pay 10 baht.

Both bus stations have plenty of tuk-tuks and songthaews outside, as well as a few metered taxis at Bus Terminal 2.

By Train - There is ro train in Chaing Rai but the nearest train station you can take is at Chiang Mai

By car Chiang Rai is about 820 km north of Bangkok and is easily accessible from Bangkok via Highway 1 and Highway 32 and from Chiang Mai via Highway 118.

Get around in the city;

Public transport consists mainly of tuk-tuks and songthaews, plus a smaller number of taxis. The city itself can be explored on foot, but for trips into the province consider renting a car or a motorbike. Budget and Avis both have offices in Chiang Rai and there are several local agencies. If you don't feel up to driving in what may be a very different environment, then consider hiring a car with driver. It doesn't cost much more.

Chiang Rai has a few cyclo-rickshaws (samlors), which can be a pleasant way to see the main sights if you want a fairly quick tour.

By Motorbike;

A motorbike is a good way to see these parts; there are several trails and a 250cc dirt bike is a great way to see the countryside.