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Things to Do in Chiang Rai

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Chiang Rai Travel Guide

Things to Do in Chiang Rai

Watching tv in a traditional Lahu house - Chiang Rai
Watching tv in a traditional Lahu house
by mim95
Reviews and photos of Chiang Rai attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Chiang Rai sightseeing.
Local Time 3:36 pm Saturday, August 30, 2008
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Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (98)
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Wat Rong Khun
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  • Wat Rong Khun is a modern temple built since 1998 by famous thai artist " Master Chalermchai Kositpipat" , he desires to build a temple as a heaven – a touchable paradise on earth for human. The white color is chosen to represent the Lord Buddha’s immaculation. White glass means the wisdom of the Lord Buddha that shines out all over the earth and the universe. The bridge replaces walking across reincarnation to Bhudhabhumi. Before going up to the small half-circle bridge which means human’s earth and the bigger one with the fangs is the evil’s mouth or Rahu (the demon who swallows the sun and the moon) that means inner defilements representing hell or suffering. Whoever shall see the Lord Buddha in Bhudhabhumi shall have to leave their desires and cravings into the mouth of the evil so as to clear and clean up their mind. After that, they shall walk up along the bridge surrounded by 16 Omgun Asura, 8 for each side which implies for 16 defilements. Upon reaching the middle of the bridge which means Mount Meru where deities reside. Down below is the pond which means Sidantara Ocean with 6 tiers of heaven represented by 16 celestial lotuses around the temple. Four biggest lotuses are located beside the temple at the way up which means the 4 Ariyachao Archway consisting of Phra Sodabhan, Phra Sakitakamee, Phra Nagamee and Phra Arahant whom we should pay respect before getting up the half-circle staircase. The staircase contains 3 steps, each implies for Anijjung (impermanent), Tukhang (suffering) and Anatta (non-self) and leading to the land of 4 immaterial Brahma represented by 4 celestial lotuses and 4 gates. The last gate is a triangle glass means emptiness (extrication), then stepping over the doorsill to Bhudhabhumi.

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  • Address: Tumbol Pah Or Don Chai, Amphur Muang, Chiang Rai
  • Directions: Opposite Rongkhun Market, 13 kilometre from Chiang Rai City. Open everyday from 06.30-18.00 www.watrongkhun.com Tel: 053-673579
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    The Golden Triangle
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  • There are so many highlights of the trip to the North but this ranks up near the top of the marvels for me. The term applies to the opium growing region covering northern Thailand, eastern Burma and western Laos. For me just seeing all these countries together in such a beautiful river vally was really what it was about.
    Perhaps because this is only my second trip to Asia but whatever the reason . looking down and seeing the borders of Thailand , Burma and Laos meeting was breathtaking. It was a Wow !!! Look how far I made it !!!A definite , never to be forgotten experience. You can never truly capture the moment in a picture although , I tried my best ...

    The apex of the triangle is thought to be the riverside village of Ban Sop Ruak . And for your picture opportunity there is an archway there where you can stand in the triangle.

  • Address: Ban Sop Ruak Thailand
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    street market of Chiang Rai
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  • Fresh fruits and vegetables at the local market - Chiang Rai
    Fresh fruits and vegetables at
    the local market
    by mim95, 1 more photos
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    This is a large outdoor market along the roadside of downtown Chiang Rai, with vendors selling fruits, vegetables and cooked food. The vendors actually occupy part of the road starting in the afternoon and continue on until early evening.

    This is a good place to get fresh fruits, some are ready-to-eat such as pre-packaged peeled pomelo. In the early evening, you'll find all kinds of cooked dishes (20-30B). Order what you like, but they come in a plastic bag though, the usual way of carrying food and drinks in Thailand. So it's great if you have plates and utensils. There are also packaged sticky rice. Two kinds are available: white or red/purple. I like the red/purple ones. The packaged rice costs only 5B! There are also desserts available at 10B. This can be an alternative of the food court at the night market.

    Don't go too late if you want to get cooked food. Many vendors are gone as soon as they run out the food. Plus the food is fresher the earlier you buy them.

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  • Directions: At the southwest corner of Uttarakit Road and Suksathit Road
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    Hike to Khun Korn Nature Park
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  • This was a chance to work off some of that fabulous Thai food . To get to the waterfall we hiked through a majestic forest park . It's a peaceful Nature park with lots of spectacular bamboo trees and sounds of birds and insects. It's about a 40 minute trek to the Falls ( mostly uphill) You will here the falls long before you hear it ...oh and don't be alarmed by the screams...that would be hikers who decided to have a dip in the cool water!!

  • Address: Located 30 kilometres south of Chiang Rai
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    Feeding the elephants
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  • When we returned safely from our ride, to the stopping place in the village.The elephants were treated to a snack pack . It contained corn , bananas and sugar cane ( which seemed to be their favorite). They were so cute . They knew what was in store and waited patiently for us to buy their treat and feed it to them . They take it from your hand with their trunk . They were trained to pass the sugar cane to their owner ( they were given in limited amounts ...who wants a fat elephant . I guess)

  • Address: Mae Sa Elephant Training Centre
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    Choosing a hilltribe tour
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  • Rice fields and endless mountain ranges - Chiang Rai
    Rice fields and endless
    mountain ranges
    by mim95, 2 more photos
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    Tourism is one way that can help the villagers earn some extra income and help save their culture, ONLY IF it is done correctly. Most tour companies are profit oriented and they get the most out of these tours. They don't encourage tourists to buy things to help the local economy because they will take tourists to places where they can get commission. The homeowner of a village homestay receives about 50B/tourist/night, and this isn't shared among the whole village because the companies always take tourists to the same household. There is also little interaction with the villagers because of language and the guide usually explains everything (and his interpretation may not necessarily be correct because he is an outsider). There is no dialogue with the villagers. Once a village becomes too "developed", they simply drop it off their itineary & find another "unspoiled" village.

    Please, if you are thinking of joining a hilltribe tour, do not just compare the price. Consider tour companies that can provide benefits to the community as a whole & give back to the villages through community developent work. In Chiang Rai, check out:
    PDA Tour
    Mirror Art Group
    Both are well-known NGOs in Thailand.

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    King Mengrai Statue
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  • A bronze statue of the founder of the Lanna Kingdom is situated at the starting point of Highway 110, which leads to Mae Chan, Chiang Saen and Mae Sai.

    Many tourists visit this monument to pay their respects to the ancient king and to have photos taken as souvenirs.

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  • Directions: Situated at the starting point of Highway 10 in the heart of the town.
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    Karen Tribe
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  • From Burma but living in Thailand are the Karon tribe , commonly known as the Long neck people . They are for me, unforgetable. I marveled at the weight of the brass rings they where around thir necks. At the age of seven the little girls are given their first rings. It is startling at first when you see them , but quickly you realize how proud of their dress they are.
    The neck-ring is not made of an accumulation of rings through the years, but of a brass spiral which is changed for a longer one when the child grows. It does not lengthen the neck, but pushes down the ribs

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    DOI TUNG - SWITZERLAND OF THAILAND
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  • We visiited the Royal Villa as part of our day tour out of Chiang Rai . It's a beautiful mountain top location and you could imagine what a haven it was for the Royal's to escape the summer heat and smog of Bangkok.

    The strange thing about the griunds is it is planted with so many flowers typical of Switzerland. I thought it a shame , even though the are beautiful....I love the Asian exoctic flowers and plants found throughout Thailand. There were orchids there too . Lots of them but so many geraniums!!

    A bronze statue entitled “Continuity” is the centrepiece of the landscaped gardens. It depicts a group of children supporting each other in a human pyramid formation as one of them climbs towards the sky. A tribute to The Princess's efforts to improve the lives of the people of Thailand.

    The Royal Princess Mother resided here from 1987 to 1995, it served base from which Her Royal Highness supervised the reforestation of the project area and other development priorities. The Doi Tung Royal Villa thus came to symbolise her personal commitment and dedication to improving the lives and well-being of her subjects

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    Maekok River Trip with Longtail boat
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  • The Maekok River is a way to get a little feel for the land and for the nature around here.
    From the Longtail boats that start from Chiang Rai every morning (around 9 o´clock) you can see the people living at the River and the landscape - sometimes hilly, sometimes more flat.

    The Longtail boats are exactly that: long. They don´t go very deep into the water, which maybe is good, because when we were here (Feb 2005) the water level of the Mekok was very low.
    We even had to get out at one place and walk a little, because of that.

    At the river are also located some of the hilltribes (Akha, mostly), some of them offer elephant rides (only in the morning): see next tip.

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  • Address: Port of Chiang Mai
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    More Chiang Rai Tips
    Overview
     
    General Tips
    Tips: 21 - Photos: 18
    Restaurants
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    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 26 - Photos: 16
    Things To Do
    Tips: 98 - Photos: 87
    Nightlife
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 15 - Photos: 13
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 5
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    Transportation
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 6
    Local Customs
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 5
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
    Shopping
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 3
    Sports Travel
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    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 6

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