An introduction to Chiang Rai
C hiang Rai A scenic home of Hill tribes
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ACCESSIBILITY:
By road, 785 km. from Bangkok, 182 km. from Chiang Mai; by air, 1˝ hr. from Bangkok. |
Chiang Rai: located at the northern tip of Thailand, bordering
Myanmar (Burma) on the north and Laos on the east. Of its 11,678 km˛ area, more than three quarters is mountainous.
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| ATTRACTIONS: |
King Mangrai Statue and Temples:
 A bronze
statue of the founder of Lanna Kingdom is situated at the starting point of Highway 110. There are several Buddhist temples
in town, notably Wat Phra Sing, where Phra Phuttha Sihing, an important Theravada image , was originally housed, and Wat
Phra Kaeo, where the Emerald Buddha, now enshrined in the Royal Temple of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, was first found.
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Phra That Doi Tung:
A temple containing the left collar bone of the Buddha on top of the 1364 m. Doi Tung (highest mountain in Chiang Rai),
is a most important place of worship for Buddhists in the North.
About 7 km. from the temple is a beautiful royal residence named Phra Tamnak Doi Tung built for the late Princess Mother
in celebration of her 90 th. birthday in 1990.
Chiang Saen Museum:
The museum is famous for its invaluable Buddha images and antiques of the Chiang Saen Kingdom which flourished in the
11th and 12th centuries. It is open to the public every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. |
Golden Triangle:
 The world-famous place
where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet and where you can enjoy the natural beauty. Both hotel rooms and huts
are available, and so are trekking and boat ride arrangements. |
Hill tribes:
 Several hill tribes
live in the mountainous areas around Chiang Rai, Mae Chan, Mai Sai and along the Kok River. |
Doi Mae Salong:
A settlement of remnants of the Nationalist Chinese army, Mae Salong is well known for its enchanting scenery and tranquil
atmosphere. Accommodation is available there.
Mae Sai on Burmese Border:
Mae Sai the northernmost town of Thailand is now an important jewellery centre, especially jade ornaments. |
Pu Kaeng and other Waterfalls:
Pu Kaeng, the largest waterfall of Chiang Rai is in Doi Luang National Park about 58 km. from Chiang Rai and has a total
of 17 leaps. Another beautiful waterfall is called Mae Kon, the lowest level of which is 70m. high It is only 30km. from
the provincial town. The one nearest the main highway No.1 (only 240m. away) is Sai Khao Waterfall. there are hot springs
nearby. |
Rafting down the Mae Kok:
 The 130 km. long Mae Kok is among the
most scenic and unspoiled rivers still existing in the world today. |
