Chiang Rai: how to get there, where to live, what to see. Chiang Rai - the northern capital of Thailand Excursions from Chiang Rai

Story

Chiang Rai is older than Chiang Mai and was founded in 1262 by King Mengrai (1239-1317), who used it as his residence. Previously, in this convenient place on the Kok River, a tributary of the Mekong, the Lava and Moi tribes settled for centuries. For many years the city was under Burmese rule and only in 1786 (four years after Bangkok became the capital) it became part of Thailand. Little is known about its previous history, but the further development of the city turned out to be closely connected with the history of Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen, located 60 km away.

How to get there

• By car:
  from Lampang on national highway No. 1 (240 km), from Chiang Mai on highway No. 107 almost to Phang, then highway No. 109 and No. 1 (268 km).
• By bus:
  from Chiang Mai and Bangkok (from the Northern Bus Station) daily.
• By plane:
  from Bangkok and Chiang Mai up to six flights per day.
• By train:
  The nearest railway station is Chiang Mai (180 km).

What to see

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tau

It was in Chiang Rai that the famous Jade Buddha was found, which was kept for many years in the Phra Kaew Don Tau Temple (now in the Phra Kaew Temple in the Grand Palace, Bangkok). In 1434, one of the chedi wats of Phra Kaew Dontau was struck by lightning; As a result of restoration work, a nondescript plaster figurine was found. However, under the plaster, a 75-centimeter jade statue of Buddha was discovered, which attracted the attention of King Mengrai.

He certainly wanted to get the statue to his capital. However, it was decided to leave the decision to the elephant on whose back the precious burden was attached. At the decisive fork, the animal turned not to Chiang Mai, but to neighboring Lampang, where the Jade Buddha stood in the Phra That Lampang Luang wat until 1468, and from here it eventually ended up in Chiang Mai and in 1782, after further vicissitudes - to Bangkok. The Phra Kaew Don Tau Temple has particularly beautiful wooden facades with carvings and paintings. This temple complex, like the neighboring Wat Phra Sing, was built in the 15th century. Both sanctuaries were restored and rebuilt many times.

Wat Mung Mueang, Wat Chet Yot

Mung Mueang Temple has a beautiful carved pediment and several Buddha statues in the Chiang Sai style (XI-XVI centuries). Wat Chet Yot is distinguished by a gracefully proportioned vihan and a chedi with seven turrets on a rectangular base.

Neighborhoods of Chiang Rai

Malau Reservoir

The local population enjoys relaxing at the beautifully located Maelaw Reservoir (on National Highway No. 1 to the south, then on Highway No. 109 in the direction of Fang).

Maesai

Highway No. 110 north leads to Mae Sai (63 km), the northernmost point of Thailand (1010 km from Bangkok). This small border town with bustling markets used to lie on an important trade route to China. Here you can get a one-day visa to Myanmar using your passport as collateral.

Luang Cave

Luang Cave (Tham Luang) is the largest (5-10 m high) of four caves discovered several years ago south of Mae Sai. For the first kilometer you can simply walk along it, using the stairs and paths. The remaining six are best left to speleologists with special equipment.

Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong

Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong is very popular among pilgrims; located at the foot of Thong Mountain (1330 m). At the beginning of March, tens of thousands of people flock here by car, bus, motorcycle and simply on foot. A 17 km long steep path leads to the temple, starting from Highway No. 110 near the village of Huai Krai. From the top a magnificent panorama of northern Thailand opens, for which alone it would be worth climbing here. The temple buildings themselves are of recent construction and are of no interest. Near the Burmese border in the town of Mae Chan, there is a training center (Mae Chan Community Station), where specialists teach mountaineers alternative occupations to opium production.

If you go further along the unpaved road behind the Community Station, you find yourself in Kosenchay, an Akha village. The wooden swing at the entrance to the village is used in fertility ceremonies. Large families live in huts on stilts with low-hanging roofs. Akhu dwellings are divided into male and female halves. Most hill tribes have their own language and animistic beliefs. All things seem to them to be under the control of spirits. Thus, in their opinion, evil spirits live in water, so the mountaineers try to avoid washing as much as possible.

Since 1976, the Thai government has been taking measures to assimilate the hill tribes, which, however, is moving very slowly. The Akha, living in the mountains around Chiang Rai, have retained their cultural identity to the greatest extent. They still practice traditional crafts. The government maintains several offices in Chiang Rai of the Thai Hillcraft Foundation, an institution that markets silverware, embroidery and textiles.

It is strictly not recommended to go to the mountain tribes without a guide who knows the language and the area. Language difficulties can lead to misunderstandings with unpleasant consequences. It goes without saying that unobtrusiveness is implied (especially when it comes to photography).

Chiang Rai is the main base for exploring Thailand's Golden Triangle. The city itself is incredibly charming - small, cozy, atmospheric, with magnificent ancient and original new temples and museums, plenty of good cheap housing, excellent restaurants and a colorful night market.

Allow at least 2 full days to explore Chiang Rai, plus a day to explore the Golden Triangle.

why go

Don't miss it in Chiang Rai

• Explore the city on foot, exploring the temples and museums of Chiang Rai.
• Rent a motorbike and explore Chiang Rai's new temples, including the iconic White Temple.
• Join a bike tour to ride through the countryside in search of small temples, villages and waterfalls.
• Take at least a day to explore Thailand's Golden Triangle.
• Try Thai food at Chiang Rai's night market and learn to cook Thai at local cooking classes.

Temples and museums of Chiang Rai

Among the city temples, two stand out - the ancient Buddhist temple Wat Phra Kaeo, which in difficult times for Siam was the home of the Emerald Buddha - the most sacred shrine of Thailand, later transported to Bangkok and Wat Phra Sing - an ancient temple in which the main Buddha statue was kept for a long time — Phra Buddha Sihing, which is now located in Chiang Mai. Both temples in Chiang Rai have copies.

Wat Phra Kaeo, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Poxxel, Flickr

Monks at Wat Phra Kaeo. Photo credit: Doris Bowling, Flickr

Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Stefan Fussan, Flickr

"White Temple" - Wat Rong Khun. Photo credit: Silp Satjawattanavimol, Flickr

To the northwest of Chiang Rai, 12-15 km from the city, not far from each other, there are two more interesting newly built temples - the colorful Wat Huay Sai Khao with original architecture and the “little brother” of the white Wat Huay Plakang 9 Tier Temple with a huge statue Buddha. You can only get to them by your own transport or tuk-tuk.

Wat Huay Sai Khao. Photo credit: gt-rider

“Little brother” of the white temple Wat Huay Plakang 9 Tier Temple. Photo credit: Apisak Kanjanapusit, Flickr

Chiang Rai Museums

The Baan dam museum is called either the Black Temple or the Black Houses. A large park area on which small rooms in the form of temples and chedis are built, inside there are art galleries with paintings, sculptures and various products made from bones and horns of animals. The purpose of this largely kitschy art exhibition is to illustrate the dark side of human nature, using traditional Asian elements crops

Baan dam Museum, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Steven Murray, Flickr

Art gallery inside the Baan dam museum. Photo credit: Duncan Taralrud-Bay, Flickr

Among the more positive and noteworthy art projects in Chiang Rai are the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, located 5 km from the city, and the Oub Kham City Museum, which contains ancient samples and products of different Asian cultures - from the Lanna kingdom to ancient Vietnamese and Chinese civilizations.

Mae Fah Luang Park. Photo credit: Duncan ursula_bkk, Flickr

Oub Kham Museum. Photo credit: thailandneo

Bike tours

The surroundings of Chiang Rai, unlike most of Northern Thailand, are flat with small hills, and cycling here is a pleasure. Cycling tours start away from city traffic, along charming rural roads past rice fields, gardens and small towns. Popular routes are half a day to the White Temple, a full day to the White Temple and further to the waterfalls, a full day to the Golden Triangle. See more details.

Bike tours in Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Zach W, tripadvisor

Golden Triangle

The classic circuit from Chiang Rai starts in the direction of Mae Sai, a town on the border with Burma with a large market on the border and a bridge crossing into Burma. Next is Sop Ruak, the extreme point of Thailand at the intersection of the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos. Here you can see both neighboring countries from the observation deck, as well as rent a boat and go to Laos. The last point on the route is the ancient city of Chiang Saen.

The worst option for visiting the Golden Triangle is large groups and/or bus tours, try to avoid such experiences). If you are taking a tour from Chiang Rai, try to take either a private tour or a small group tour.

In Chiang Rai, you can either use a motorbike for an independent trip around the Golden Triangle. You can rent a car with a driver through any guest house or tour office in Chiang Rai (about $50-60 per car).

If you are not comfortable with a motorbike, but want to travel around the Golden Triangle on a budget, then the best option is public transport. In this case, map out the route Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen - Sop Ruak (Golden triangle) - Mae Sai - Chiang Rai, which, in principle, can be covered in a day.

On the route Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen - Sop Ruak (Sop Ruak or Golden triangle) a minibus runs every 15-20 minutes (green minivans from the Chiang Rai bus terminal). Songthaews (route pick-ups) run between the Golden Triangle (Sop Ruak) and Mae Sai. You can return to Chiang Rai from Mae Sai by bus (about 1.5 hours).

Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: adventurocity, Flickr

Cooking classes

Chiang Rai, like , is an excellent place for lovers of delicious food. In addition to visiting the Night Market and restaurants in Chiang Rai, the gastronomic experience can be complemented by cooking classes offered in the city. Here you can learn more about the traditions of Thai cuisine and the ingredients used, try your hand at cooking Thai dishes, eat delicious food and generally have fun in the company of nice people.

Chiang Rai is the northernmost capital of the province of the same name in Thailand and one of the oldest cities in the country. This is a very provincial and not the most popular tourist place; there are no beach holidays, luxury hotels and the usual entertainment of Thailand. People come here to take a break from noisy cities and enjoy the picturesque beauty of the surrounding nature: fields and mountains, beautiful waterfalls, thermal springs and deep mysterious caves.

Chiang Rai is located 185 kilometers north of Chiang Mai, its population is about 100,000 people. The city has a unique location, thanks to which it is visited both by those who purposefully came here and by travelers on excursions to neighboring countries: Chiang Rai is located not far from the “Golden Triangle”, where the borders of three countries – Laos, Thailand and Myanmar – connect. Such a favorable location allowed the provincial capital to become the commercial center of the area. The city is also unique for its multinationality, which is explained by the transition of several mountain tribes to the Christian and Muslim faith. This led to the presence on its territory, in addition to traditional Buddhist temples, also of Christian churches and Islamic mosques. The once wild tribal areas are gradually being filled with tea and coffee plantations.

• Area: 61 km²;
• Time zone: UTC+7;
• Population: 67,200.

general information

King Mengrai is considered the founder of the city. From 1262, for almost 20 years, this was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Then, the status of the center passed for a short time to the city of Lamphun, and already in 1286 Chiang Mai was appointed the capital. For a long time it was under the rule of Burma. At the end of the 19th century, the territory was annexed by the Kingdom of Siam. And only in 1933, the city, as a province of the same name, became part of Thailand.

Local residents love their region for its special climate, which is not typical for Thailand. In the central and southern regions of the country it is very hot and humid at any time of the day. Chiang Rai's weather is comfortable: despite the fact that daytime temperatures reach +35⁰C, in the evening and at night the thermometer drops to +15⁰C. In addition, there is optimal air humidity here.

Transport

8 kilometers from Chiang Rai there is an airport serving exclusively flights from. Therefore, to get here from our country, you will need at least one transfer. There is no railway connection with the city. Transport connections with neighboring large cities are provided through bus routes.

There is no public transport in the city; you can only get around by taxi: both budget tuk-tuks and more expensive air-conditioned cars offer their services. However, the city is small and very compact, so you can walk around all the sights of Chiang Rai in a few hours.

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Chiang Rai, Thailand- from a remote hill tribe town nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the mighty Mekong. Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 as part of the Lao-Thai Lanna Kingdom. It became a Siamese territory in 1786 and eventually one of the 77 provinces of modern Thailand in 1910.

The city of Chiang Rai brings back memories and exotic images. The mountain range in Chiang Rai is bordered on the west by Burma and Chiang Mai, and to the southeast is the famous Phu Chi Fa mountain and nature reserve. But otherwise the landscape in Chiang Rai Thailand is mostly flat and the land is agricultural.

The city of Chiang Rai in Thailand is bounded on the north by the Kok River and bordered on the east by Highway No. 1. The old city of Chiang Rai was built on the site of the ancient settlement of Lawa or Mon in the early 14th century. Today, little remains of the old city, but there are walls and a moat.

So, what is Chiang Rai, where is it located and what is there to do there? Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand. Tourists rarely get here and even less often on their own, because the main attraction here is the famous white lacy temple of heaven and hell ( white temple in Chiang Rai). And for the more curious, there is also the Black Temple and the village of the long-necked Karen tribes. A large number of the population of the hill tribes converted to Christianity, so in the city of Chiang Rai in Thailand you can see, in addition to Buddhist temples, also Christian churches, as well as Islamic mosques and Chinese temples.

The high western mountains, inhabited by numerous hill tribes, were, until recently, quite wild places. Today, these destinations are becoming more famous for travel, mainly due to the coffee and tea plantations, as well as the town of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, known as the site of the illegal trade of dubious Chinese goods, duty-free cigarettes and counterfeit Viagra. Many illegal drugs still pass through the Burmese border. So rural areas of Chiang Rai see more police on the roads than any other Northern province.

The city of Chiang Rai has a local population of approximately 200,000. It is a small and calm town, although there are also places for tourists: several restaurants serving international cuisine, a brand new shopping center with all the famous foreign brands, supermarkets and a cinema.

Chiang Rai (Thailand), basically an inconspicuous provincial town. Entertainment in Chiang Rai - pthe coastal area where the river descends into the town of Tha Ton in Northern Thailand. Another attraction is the night market. There are also plenty of decent and nice places to stop and eat in Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai Thailand is also a transport hub for the region due to its central location and airport.

Many ATMs can be found on Phaholyothinу street. The largest shopping center is Central Plaza Chiang Rai.Chiang Rai has several extraordinary places that are worth visiting. These are the Black Temple of Chiang Rai (Baan Dam), the famous White Temple of Wat Rong Khun in Thailand and Wat Huai Sai Khao. The White Temple in Chiang Rai is perhaps just his calling card. This place is definitely not to be missed in the city.

White Temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun)

The White Temple of Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun is without a doubt the most famous and most photographed temple in Chiang Rai province. It is also one of the most beautiful (and unconventional) temples in Thailand. The color of the white temple signifies purity. The temple was built according to the design of a local artist in 1997, who took 15 years to turn his idea into reality.

Inside the white temple in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun, you can find not only statues of Buddha, but also images of Superman, Batman and Neo from The Matrix. In general, the author’s very unconventional approach to creating the temple is obvious, who, by the way, believes that this project will give him immortality.

White Temple in Chiang Rai Wat Rong Khun is located 12 km south of Chiang Rai, near Pahonyothin Road. It is open daily from 6:30 am to 6 pm. Entrance to the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khunw, is free.

Doi Mae Salong Village and Mountain, Chiang Rai

There are several interesting villages in the mountainous northern part of Chiang Rai city. One of the most picturesque of them is Mae Salong, located 74 km northwest of Chiang Rai city. There is a special atmosphere there, and everything around is reminiscent of China, and by the way, most of the residents have Chinese roots and even speak Chinese to each other.

The view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. Very atmospheric, quiet and peaceful place. There are few tourists, life seems to have stopped. There are also numerous scenic routes along tea and coffee plantations. You can just walk around these places and enjoy yourself away from the hustle and bustle. If you rent a motorbike, the trip will also be very exciting.

Black Temple of Chiang Rai Baan Dam

If there is a white temple in the city of Chiang Rai, Thailand, then there must be some kind of opposite. And there it is, too—the black temple in Chiang Rai—another highly ambitious project by another local artist. The temple illustrates the darkness in humanity. The entire temple is done in red and black colors and is decorated with skulls, skins and various other animal parts and creepy artwork.

The Black Temple of Chiang Rai (Baan Dam) is located approximately 10 km north of Chiang Rai off the Phahonyothin Highway leading to the Thai-Burmese border at Mae Sai. The temple is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. There is a visitor center, a gift shop, and a small cafe.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Phra Kaew

Of course, this is not the most popular temple among tourists in Chiang Rai. Everyone has heard about the white temple in the city of Chiang Rai (Thailand), but few have heard about Wat Phra Kaew. However, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, is one of the most significant cultural and religious sites in Chiang Rai province. This temple gained fame when it was struck by lightning in 1434. An emerald Buddha statue was found in the rubble. Since then the temple has been called that way. The statue itself was long ago taken to Bangkok, and a malachite copy of that same emerald Buddha remained in Chiang Rai.

It is still not known exactly where the Buddha statue came from in the temple. There is a version that it was created in India about 2000 years ago and brought to Sri Lanka, then to Cambodia and at the end of the 14th century it ended up in northern Thailand.

Chiang Rai Clock Tower

The clock tower traditionally marks the center of the province. In Chiang Rai, this clock tower is one of the best and most beautiful in all of Thailand.

Singha Park, Chiang Rai

The park is little known among tourists (yet). The main reason why most people would like to come here is the massive golden lion statue of Singh. A very picturesque place.

Why go to Chiang Rai in Thailand?

The path to the golden triangle on the border with Chiang Rai also runs through Chiang Rai. It is the junction of three rivers and historically (formerly) a drug-offshore zone. Selling drugs was prohibited and severely punished, so they came up with a way to circumvent the law, to exchange goods in the middle of the confluence of three rivers, during a decline in the water level, where a small island was formed for several people.

In fact, there is nothing beautiful or important in this triangle, a common lure for gullible tourists. Most often, it is under this program that tourists who travel to the north of Thailand buy themselves a one-day excursion from.

On your own in Chiang Rai Thailand those who want to carry out a visa run (extending their stay in Thailand by crossing the border and returning to the country one day for a new stamp) or desperate backpackers who want to visit Laos and are heading, as a rule, to.

Town Chiang Rai (Thailand) small, no different from others of its kind, quiet, but the influence of Laos, and therefore of France and America, is clearly felt here, and prices are 20-30% higher than Thai ones. There is little left of Thailand here, it feels like a completely different country and people, although it would seem like a hundred kilometers away…. In general, there is hardly any need to go here specifically, only if you intend to cross the border on your own and head to the wonderful, mysterious Laos.

That's all for now. Today I told about the city Chiang Rai in Thailand. This city is interesting in its own way; you can find a special charm and local flavor in it. And for tourists, this place is famous for the fact that the famous white temple in Chiang Rai, famous among independent travelers, is located here. The White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand can be seen in pictures of Thailand and also in the list of the most interesting places in Thailand.

The borders of three amazing Asian countries - Thailand, Myanmar and Laos - constitute a special region called the Golden Triangle. The total area of ​​the region is quite large, while the tourist center is the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers in the village of Sop Ruak in Thailand. Travelers from all over the world head to the north of the country to see with their own eyes three great countries at the same time.

But not so long ago, completely different motives brought people here. The “opium paradise” attracted smugglers with a thirst for profit. The policies of neighboring powers have successfully overcome the situation, and this issue is no longer on the agenda. So what can you profit from in the Golden Triangle now? The pristine beauty of Don Sao Island, a descent along the Mekong River, a visit to the observation deck at the top of Wat Phra That and, of course, a visit to the opium museum will diversify your vacation.

Kok River

The Kok River is the deepest and longest river in Northern Thailand. It begins in Myanmar, flows through picturesque places, some of which are nature reserves, and flows into the Mekong River in the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. The border in this place is precisely the river.

Kok links the Thai provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai and is the most important route between them. This is why walks along the Kok River are so popular among tourists: following the flow of the river, you can watch the inhabitants of these places, stop the boat near the shore and continue traveling through the jungle, or get to the city to admire the ancient temples.

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Mount Doi Tung

Mount Doi Tung is located in the Golden Triangle. This “Triangle” is the intersection of the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. The main income of local peasants has always been income from growing opium poppies, which had a detrimental effect on the local population. However, in the 80s of the last century, the royal family began to revive these places, and Doi Tung became one of the most important projects. The once disadvantaged region turned into a blooming garden when the mother of the current monarch of Thailand moved into the palace built here especially for her.

The Doi Tung project occupies 150 sq. km of land and employs more than 11 thousand people. Now, instead of opium poppies, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and coffee are grown here. The project is directly supervised by the royal family.

Wat Rong Khun Temple is considered to be the most unusual Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is relatively young - its construction began in 1997. The creator of this unique monument is the Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who, according to rumors, erected the temple only with his own money in order to perpetuate his name in history. The artist made every detail, every roof slope, every figure in the temple according to his own sketches.

It is simply impossible to describe the temple in words. It looks as if it was created not by man, but by some unprecedented force. The stark white jagged temple is surrounded by ponds teeming with sacred fish. Inside the temple you can look at the works of the artist Chalermchayu and even buy some of them.

Monument to King Mengrai

In Chiang Rai, at the exit from the city, next to the road to Mae Chan, there is a tall dark monument against the backdrop of a golden carved wall with sharp ends. This is a monument to Koroi Mengrai, the founder of the city. According to legend, King Mengrai was looking for his elephant on the banks of the Kok River and, admiring the beauty of the area, decided to found a city here. Many city tours start from this place as a sign of respect to the founding king.

Opium Museum

The world's most famous Opium Museum is located in Thailand for good reason. It was in this country that almost until the end of the 20th century, opium production was almost the only means of ensuring the life of local peasants. The museum's exposition is designed in such a way that, moving from one exhibition to another, one can imagine the development of the production of narcotic drugs in Thailand from ancient times to the present day. The museum's extensive collection includes production tools, agricultural implements, posters, as well as modern multimedia resources.

The museum is open every day except Monday from 8.30 to 16.00.

Museum "House of Opium"

In the very center of the Golden Triangle is the private museum “House of Opium”. Its collection is not as extensive and varied as that of the large and famous Hall of Opium, but it is also worthy of attention. Here are examples of agricultural implements used in poppy cultivation, utensils for making opium, a collection of old photographs and much more. The entrance ticket price is several times cheaper than a ticket to the large Opium Museum.

In addition, the “House of Opium” is open every day, seven days a week, from 7.00 to 19.00

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Wat Umong Temple

Wat Umong is one of the most unusual temples in Thailand. It was founded in 1927.

The temple consists of caves that are connected by tunnels. Translated from Thai, "Umong" means "Tunnel". Inside the underground temple there are Buddha statues illuminated by candles.

Most of the territory is occupied by a pond and forest. The pond is home to large carp and turtles. “Wise trees” grow in the forest near the temple; there are signs with written Buddhist sayings on them. The temple houses a replica of the Ashoka pillar with four lion heads and the wheel of Dharma, installed in the 13th century. This is a world symbol of the spread of Buddhism.

There is also a library-museum and a meditation school, classes in which are taught in English.

The most popular attractions in Chiang Rai with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Chiang Rai on our website.

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