Tien and Paul's Travels: Chiang Rai, Thailand

It is time to leave Bangkok for Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. As previously planned, we would fly to Chiang Rai to save time. Chiang Rai is the Northernmost major city in Thailand. It's about 500 miles north of Bangkok. We hope for much cooler weather in the highlands and less crowded.

Chiang Rai is not as big a city as Chiang Mai and not as crowed we soon discovered. Many business and tourist offices are located in the downtown center. There is a big central market with a lively night food market that attract tourists and the locals alike. It's fun to explore the market during the day and to eat at the food stall at night. We liked their BBQ chicken on bamboo sticks and Chinese pork buns, dumplings and fruit for a quick pick-up dinner on the go.

Down the street from the busy market is a popular clock tower square/plaza with many restaurants on both sides of the streets. People gather around the square to catch some cool evening breeze and watch the light and music show from the clock tower.

The clock tower in Chiang Rai downtown

Evening music and light show

"Fresh" fish sold by the baskets at Chiang Rai central market

We hired a private car and driver from a tourist agency to take us to Chiang Rai's popular landmarks. We headed north to visit the famous Golden Triangle area where Thailand meets Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. The Golden Triangle is known for its beautiful scenery. From an overlook, we could see the three countries on the Mekong river (Thailand and Myanmar on the Ruak river which flows into the Mekong). The hilly landscape with small villages and hilltop temples added to the serene beauty of the area.

View of the Golden Triangle from the Thailand northern border.

Golden Triangle - overlooking Myanmar on the Ruak River

Thailand by the Ruak River

Steps going up to the Hall of Opium Museum

Golden Buddha in the Golden Triangle Park

Sign at Wiang, the Golden Triangle Park

The Golden Triangle Border Gate

At Nang Lae entrance to the Hill Tribe Villages

Entrance to the hill tribe villages

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Yao Tribe

Kayaw Tribe

Long Neck Tribe

On the way back to Chiang Rai, we made a quick stop at the Mysterious Black House.

The Mysterious Black House

The Mysterious Black House (Baan Dam)

We saved the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) for the last stop of the day. The White Temple is a very popular place, worth a visit. It's about 15 km south of Chiang Rai and occupies a very large compound with many amazing buildings and beautifully landscaped. The White Temple is quite impressive. It's anything but traditional.

The beautiful White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

The White Temple in background

The Bridge (the Cycle of Rebirth)

Lookout from the (temple) principal building

Lake view behind the main building

The Golden Building in the temple compound

A rest stop in front of the White Temple

Not far from the White Temple, we visited the Blue Temple at sunset. The Blue temple, also known as Wat Rong Suea Ten is a very pretty temple with vibrant blue coloring and elaborate carvings. The vivid blue was very dramatic under the sunset when we were there!