|
CITY ATTRACTIONS
King Meng Rai the Great
Monument
This is located on the city outskirts, be-side the northern
road to Mae Chan, and honours the monarch who founded Chiang Rai in
1262.
Ku Phra Chao Meng Rai
Situated in Wat Ngam Muang, on Ngam Muang Hillock,this stupa
contains King Meng Rai's ashes and relics.
Wat Phra Sing
This temple, on Singhakhlai Road, is a fine example of Lanna
Thai religious architec-ture. The Phra Buddha Sihing image now housed
in Chiang Mai's Wat Phra Sing was formerly enshrined here.
Wat Phra Kaeo
Located behind Wat Phra Singh, this tem-ple is said to have
been the original place where the Emerald Buddha, now enshrined in
Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo (Chapel of the Emerald Buddha) was enshrined.
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong This ancient hilltop pagoda overlooks the
Mae Kok River and predates the founding of Chiang Rai as the capital
of Lanna Thai.
Hat Chiang Rai
Located 5 kilometres from the city, this scenic riverside area
and promenade is a recreation area for local inhabitants.
Mae Kok River
Known in Thai as Maenam Kok, this scenic 130-kilometre long
waterway runs through the heart of Chiang Rai. The river is a major
transportation artery from neighbouring Chiang Mai province,
especially the town of Tha Thon (180 kilo-metres north of Chiang Mai
provincial capital), from whence long-tailed boats make the 3-4 hour
journey every day at 12.30 PM (Chiang Rai-Tha Thon: 10.30 AM). The
river passes several hilltribe settlements and elephant camps from
where jungle treks originate.
Khun Kon Waterfall Forest
Park
Located 30 kilometres south of Chiang Rai provincial capital,
along Routes 121 & 1208, the 70-metre high Khun Kon Waterfall is the
highest in the province. |
|
OUT OF CITY ATTRACTIONS
Amphoe Mae Cham
Hot Spa
Located 8 kilometres from Mae Chan, along the Mae Chan-Mai Ai Road,
this complex has hot mineral water and Baht-house facilities.
Accommodation is also available.
Hilltribe Development &
Welfare Centre
15 kilometres along the route to Doi Mae Salong, the centre
aids and administers local hilltribe settlements. Hilltribe
handicrafts, including woven cloth and silverware, are on sale.
Doi Saen Chai
5 kilometres beyond the Welfare centre, this Akha hilltribe
village can be reached solely by 4-wheel drive vehicles.
King Amphoe Mae Fah Luang
Doi Mae Salong
Located some 40 kilometres beyond Mae Chan, a mountaintop
settlement known as Santi Khiri is home to descendants of Chi-nese
Nationalist soldiers who fled to, and settled in Thailand, in 1940.
Mountainside plantations of coffee, and fruit orchards, provide scenic
variety. The area is particu-larly picturesque in December and
Janu-ary when Thai cherry trees are in blossom. Accommodation,
restaurants and oppor-tunities for horse-riding and elephant trek-king
number among major attractions.
Doi Tung
This northernmost Thai mountain con-tains several scenic spots,
including the Doi Tung Royal Villa, the Mae Fah Luang Botanical
Garden, the mountaintop Wat Phrathat Doi Tung which affords a spec-tacular
view of the surrounding area, and contains Buddha relics, and various
hilltribe villages in natural settings.
Pamee Akha Village
This picturesque village is one of the most accessible Akha
settlements in Chiang Rai province, and is located on the way to the
summit of Doi Tung.
Amphoe Mae Sai
Mae Sai
This border town faces Myanmar across the Mae Sai River, and is
located 62 kilo-metres north of Chiang Rai on Highway No. 110.
Numerous shopping opportuni-ties exist for popular Thai and Burmese
goods.
Khun Nam Nang Non
(Lagoon of the Sleeping Lady) Located 12 kilometres before
reaching Mae Sai Community Centre along a 2-kilometre spur road,
natural rock formations resem-ble a reclining female to give the
tree-shaded area its name.
Tham Pum-Tham Pla (Reed &
Fish Caverns)
Located 1 kilometre north of the 'Sleeping Lady Lagoon', and
1.8 kilometres from High-way No. 110, these caves are known for their
spectacular interiors.
Tham Phayanak
Located within a few hundred metres from the Reed & Fish
Caverns, this cave is re-garded as being especially beautiful thanks
to its multi-coloured rocks. Tham Pha Chom Located 2.5 kilometres west
of Mae Sai, this cave is noted for its beautiful stalac-tites, and as
a place of meditation.
Amphoe Chiang Saen
Chiang Saen
This riverside town facing the Mekong River is 30 kilometres
from Mae Chan via Highway No. 1016, predates Chiang Rai and is famous
for a special style of Bud-dha image.
Chiang Saen National Museum
This petite museum exhibits local objets d'art, including
Chiang Saen-style Buddha images and Lanna Thai artifacts.
Wat Phra That Chedi Luang
This ancient 88-metre high brick pagoda, next to the museum, is
the tallest religious monument in Chiang Rai.
Wat Pa Sak
Located outside the city walls, some 200 metres from the
Tourist Service Centre, this deserted temple, with ornamental stucco
motifs, is regarded as being one of the most beautiful examples of
Lanna architecture in northern Thailand.
Wat Phra That Chom Kitti
This hilltop temple has a pagoda contain-ing a Buddha relic.
Wat Phra That Pha-Ngao
Located 4 kilometres along the Chiang Saen-Chiang Khong road,
this temple's hilltop pagoda offers a spectacular view of the Mekong
River and Laos.
Chiang Saen Lake
South of Chiang Saen, along Highway No. 1016 (a 2-kilometre
trip from the Km. 27 marker), this one square kilometre lake hosts
migratory waterfowl during the winter months. Birds are seen at their
best and most plentiful from November through February. Accommodation
and water-sports facilities are available.
The Golden Triangle
8 kilometres north of Chiang Saen, this riv-erside area marks
the spot where the bor-ders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos con-verge.
Wat Phra That Doi Pu Khao
This riverside temple near the Sop Ruak Market, offers a
spectacular view of the Golden Triangle's riverine and mountain areas.
Mekong River Trips
Boats can be hired from Chiang Saen to travel upstream to the
Golden Triangle, and downstream to Chiang Khong. The trip to the
Golden Triangle takes some 30 min-utes, the trip to Chiang Khong about
1 hour and 30 minutes depending on river cur-rents and water levels.
Amphoe Chiang Khong
Chiang Khong
Located 55 kilometres east of Chiang Saen, (and 114 kilometres
northeast of Chiang Rai provincial capital), this settlement faces
Laos across the Mekong River. Local tour operators can arrange for
tourists to visit Laos.
Ban Hat Klai
Marks the Chiang Khong area where the freshwater pla buek
catfish, which can at-tain lengths of 2.5 metres and weights of 300
kilogrammes, are caught between April 18 and early June each year.
Ban Hat Bai
25 kilometres along the Chiang Saen-Chiang Khong road, this
Thai Lue com-munity is best known for its hand-woven cotton.
Amphoe Wiang Kaen
Doi Pa Tang
Some 32 kilometres from Amphoe Wiang Kaen (127 kilometres from Chiang
Rai provinvial capital), this scenic mountain location hosts Hmong and
Yao ethnic mi-norities, During December and January, the area is
rendered even more picturesque thanks to cheery blossom and mountain
mists.
Amphoe Thoeng
Phu Chee Fah
This mountain, 20 kilometres south of Doi Pha Tang, provides scenic
views of Laos, and during February is dotted with white wild flowers
known as Dok Siao.
Amphoe Phan
Doi Luang National Park
This forested park, some 65 kilometres south of the provincial
capital, covers an area of 1,170 square kilometres, and extends into
areas of Chiang Mai, Lampang and Phayao provinces. A major attraction
is the Phu Kaeng Waterfall. |
Information
provided by T.A.T
(Tourism Autority of Thailand)
