Chiang Rai is tucked away in the far north of Thailand and offers a more intimate and relaxed alternative to Chiang Mai, 120 miles to the south.
Despite being the original capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom Chiang Rai always been in the shadow of its
larger neighbour, but now visitors are being drawn to the varied attractions that cover the region.
Explore by boat, bike or on foot...
Most famous as the gateway to the once notorious Golden Triangle you’ll find the poppy fields have given way to tourist attractions and trekking trails that allow visitors to explore the magnificent mountain sceneries covered by forests, remarkable rivers, botanical gardens, tea & coffee plantations, caves and waterfalls. Aside from the trekking you can explore by bike, or by boat.
There are still a couple of nods to the poppy and the House of Opium Museum offers a fascinating insight in the opium trade and the Opium Wars between Britain and China. The museum was set up by the late Princess Mother to help educate the local Hill Tribes about opium and teach them how to switch to other cash crops.
Visit the hill tribes
The province is also home to several ethnic tribes including the Yao, Akha, Karen and Maeo. Each group still maintains its own fascinating ways of life and they can be visited on a variety of day tours or overnight stays that give a real insight into the culture of this beautiful region. The Hill Tribe Museum is a good place to start before stepping out.
The wealth of the cultural mix is partly to do with its geographic position, being on the border with Burma to the north west and Laos to east. Burma can only be visited on a day visa and unless you’re fascinated by a local market selling knock off products we wouldn’t really recommend it. However the chance to visit Laos shouldn’t be overlooked and we can offer a superb cruise down the Mekong to Luang Prabang or a tour exploring the wild north.
Chiang Rai is perfect for those looking for a laid back, cultured destination that can still offer a superb choice of good quality hotels and easy access to a myriad of authentic, memorable holiday experiences.