Top 6 Things to Do in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the northernmost capital city of Thailand, which is about 785 kilometers away from Bangkok City, covering an area of 11,678 square kilometers. It is adjacent to Myanmar and Laos in the northeast and north of the country. Although Chiang Rai is not as well-known as Bangkok and Pattaya, it also has a special style that attracts many tourists coming for a visit. If you don't know what to do in Chiang Rai, this article will show you the top 6 Things to do in Chiang Rai.
1. Visit the White Temple, Black Temple and Blue Temple
Chiang Rai is located in northern Thailand, which is famous for the Wat Rong Khun & Bandaam Museum & Wat Rong Suea Ten, which are more well-known among people named White Temple, Black Temple, and Blue Temple.
Wat Rong Khun(White Temple) is built in 1997 by a famous Thai architect, Chakermchai Kosipipat. See from a distance, the temple seems to be built of porcelain, but when you look closer, you will find that the white paint and glass sequins cause the wrong impression. White symbolizes the purity of Buddha.
Bandaam Museum (Black Temple), although people call it as a temple, actually it is a private collection museum. It is built by Thawan Duchanee, a genius Thai artist who spends over 30 years to complete it. Black is the main color of Bandaam Museum, which has a big contrast with the White Temple. He collected different kinds of exhibits about death and merged ancient animal bones, primitive hunting tools into artworks that give people an image of hell, while White Temple is more like heaven.
Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple) is designed and built by the student of Chakermchai Kosipipat, who built the White Temple. As you can see from the common name, the main color of this temple is blue, following the gorgeous atmosphere of White Temple, embedded with retro religious pattern and ornamented with purple, light blue, red and white color. It is totally different from the White Temple and the Black Temple.
2. Explore the Long Neck Hill Tribe Village
Long Neck Hill Tribe Village is another highlight of Chiang Rai which is consists of Karen and Padaung tribes; a minority ethnic group bordered the northern Thailand and Myanmar. They think it is beautiful to have a long neck. From the age of 5-6 years, the child will be put a copper ring on the neck, one copper ring a year to make the neck stretch. The longest neck is 70cm. Their ancestor is originally from Myanmar and migrated to northern Thailand to evade the war, so they become Non- nationality refugee. They have no job and can only live in their village. So their life is poor, the only income sources come from the entrance tickets, selling handicrafts to tourists and taking photos with tourists to get some tips. You are welcome to take photos with them, but please don't forget to tip them accordingly.
3. Reveal the Secret Mask of the Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is located on the border of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. It is named because the Mekong River of Thai-Laos border and the Ruacu River of Thai-Myanmar border meet here. A long time ago, local people there lived on hunting; later, they began to plant poppies on a large scale to earn more and more money. After years of rectification by the Thai government, there is no longer the troubled place as it used to be. It has become a tourism place where tourists can take a boat on the Mekong River to know more about the history of the Golden Triangle. There is also a significant tourism market, and tourists can shop for some local specialties from Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand there.
4. Walking or Cycling in Singha Park
Singha is not only a park, but also a farm and a zoo. It attracts tourists from all over the world come to enjoy the nature and see the animals. We call it a farm because there are endless paddy fields, more than 200 acres of oolong tea plantations, vineyards, fruit fields, and greenhouses for various vegetables inside the park. Besides, it has also planted various kinds of flowers, and there is a lavender field. Tourists can also feed giraffes and zebras there.
5. Strolling on the Night Bazar
Chiang Rai Night Bazar is the only bazar in Chiang Rai. Although it is smaller than the night bazar in Chiang Mai, it covers different kinds of goods from the local handicrafts, souvenirs to ethnic costumes. If you are tired of one day tour, it is an excellent choice to try a traditional Thai massage. There is a big food square where you can have a taste of authentic northern Thai food and snacks.
6. Experience Pha Soet Hot Spring to Boil Eggs
On your way to the White Temple, you will have a short time break on Pha Soet Hot Spring; there are many hot spring pools, all of which are sulfur hot springs. But from the temperature, it has belonged to boiling springs. Among them, there is a hot spring stream for people to soak their feet. Locals sell eggs in the spring eye here. Eggs and quail eggs are put in a small basket about 20 baht per basket. You can buy a basket of eggs to experience the amazing northern Thai eggs boiled by the hot spring. Due to the high temperature, the egg will be ready for about 3-5 minutes.
