It has many ancient temples and tribal villages along the Mekong river. It has an abundance of historical and cultural attractions and immerses a traveller in its lovely collection of temples, art, music, and local food. The city is serviced by Chiang Rai international airport and is well connected to other major destinations in Thailand and outside the country. Tourists can also avail of buses and private taxis travelling to and from Chiang Rai on a regular basis.
Chiang Rai is part of the Golden Triangle and was once a hub for opium trade. However, it is now famous for its temples and other cultural attractions, especially the Black and White temples. To experience the real beauty of this countryside, take a calming boat ride in the Mekong.
Wat Rong Khun
The White Temple, also renowned as Wat Rong Khun is the brain-child of one-of-a-kind artist – Chalermchai Kostipitat. An architectural wonder in its own right, this temple is filled with a lot of Buddhist elements in its architecture, mirror decorations, and ornate reliefs. A privately-owned art exhibit in the form of a temple, Wat Rong Khun beautifully depicts the Buddhist teachings of karma, hell, heaven, and earthly sins. The white colour of the temple embodies the purity and sacredness of Buddha and his Dhamma teachings.
Visitors can enter the main building known as ubosot after crossing a bridge from the temple entrance. The bridge signifying the ‘cycle of rebirth’ goes over a ‘pool of death’, where the figures with outreaching hands represent unrestrained and unfulfilled desire. At the end of the bridge, just before stepping into the temple grounds is the ‘Gateway to Heaven’ which signifies where the dead have their fate decided. The temple also consists of a golden building which stands out distinctly in contrast to the white of the rest of the temple. While the gold represents the worldly desires sought after by people, the white represents the peace of mind and being.
Doi Mae Salong
It is a mountain situated in nothern Chiang Rai famous for its native Chinese culture.
Doi Mae Salong is a beautiful and sere hill where the 93rd division of the Chinese settled after escaping from Burma. Today, it’s become a great tourist attraction but many hill tribes continue to live here. It’s known for its Oolong tea and fresh fruit plantations. Travellers who like trekking can choose this option too. If you want something beyond the regular Thai food of Thailand, this hill town serves delicious authentic Chinese food.
Baan Dam Museum
Baan Dam Museum is a collection of around 40 buildings of varying shapes and sizes spread across a beautiful garden. The traditional Thai structures are dark-coloured, and the funky white-igloos with cool graffiti on the outside. Though all the structures are not open to the public, the garden makes for a pleasant stroll.
Commonly known as The Black House, Baan Dam Museum contains the work of the renowned artist Thawan Duchanee. It is usually mistaken to be a temple, but it is a mix of a museum, art sculptures and buildings. The dazzling designs have the traditional Thai culture embedded in them. The main hall is filled with animal skulls and skin to indicate the suffering Buddha witnessed. Baan Dam is an inspirational and mysterious visit for all the art lovers.
Mae Fah Luang Garden
The Mae Fah Luang Garden is a beautifully landscaped 10-acre garden that is part of the Doi Tung Development Project. Located in northern Chiang Rai close to the Myanmar order, it is the brainchild of the Princess Mother, Princess Srinagarindra, who was affectionately called “Mae Fah Luang” meaning ‘Royal Mother from the Sky.’ The garden aims to celebrate nature and provide an attraction for Thai people who have never seen flowers from overseas.
The Mae Fah Luang Garden was started as a revamping of what was originally Akha village, a strategic location for opium and gun trafficking into the country. It holds rock formations, maze gardens, and a variety of flowers like dahlias, petunias, and rhododendrons. In 1993, the garden was awarded the Pacific Asia Tourisn Association Award for Tourist Site Development. The appeal of visiting Mae Fah Luang Garden lies in the beauty of flora here, expanding as far as the eye can see.
According to holidify.com
