Introducing Chiang Rai
Posted by admin on October 5th, 2009 filed in Adventure, Attractions, tourist tipsPositioned among Northern Thailand’s mountains, Chiang Rai offers its visitors a more peaceful alternative to the bustling city of Chiang Mai, and provides an ideal base for adventurous hill treks and fascinating excursions to the mysterious Golden Triangle.
Situated on the Kok river, Chiang Rai has a rich and moving history dating back to the time when the Lanna Kingdom was at its height in the 13th century. The town was the Emerald Buddha’s authentic custodian, which has a fascinating past becoming the nation’s most Pious Buddhist relic.
Today Bangkok’s Grand Palace houses the much revered and diminutive Buddha, but the original Phra Kaew (c. 1434) temple still remains. The city centre is also home to Wat Phra Singh and Wat Jet Yod, which are two other highly regarded and brilliant Buddhist temples.
Downtown Chiang Rai can easily be explored on foot. The centre boasts several lively markets, an extensive selection of dining options and some quality outlets shops selling goods, such as Northern handicrafts and woven cotton and silk.
Quite a few tourists actually get here after a two-day trip down the Kok river. Alternatively travellers can take a 60-minute river cruise in one of the typical long-tail boats.
Trekking is a very popular recreational activity and in general feature an elephant ride, bamboo rafts and visits to the quaint hill tribe communities of the Karen, Lisu Akkha, Mien and Lahu, each village displaying unique and different cultures.
Popular as well are excursions to the famous Golden Triangle area and the Mekong river while Tachilek, a Burmese border and market town is just an hour’s drive away. Visitors typically cross the border for a few hours picking up bargains among the wide and varied range of inexpensive Chinese products on sale.
Flying is the most comfortable way reaching Chiang Rai. There are frequent daily flight services from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai visitors can travel by private hire car or bus to Chiang Rai.