Post by bahnoo on Aug 17, 2006 14:45:38 GMT 7
ChiangRai Attractions
King Mangrai Statue and Temples:
A bronze statue of the founder of 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.
There are several Buddhist temples in town, notably Wat Phra Sing, where Phra Phutta Sihing, an important Theravada image, was originally housed, and Wat PhraKaeo, where the Emerald Buddha, now enshrined in the Royal Temple of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, was first found.
Phra That Doi Tung:
A temple containing the left collar bone of the Buddha on top of the 1364-m. Doi Tung (highest in Chiang Rai), is a most important place of worship for Buddhist in the North. There, on a clear day, one can have a breathtaking panorama of the border areas.
About 7 km from the temple is a beautiful royal residence built for the Princess Mother in celebration of her 90th birthday in 1990. Because of its scenic beauty, the palace, named Phra Tamnak Doi Tung, draws tourists like Bhubing Palace in Chiang Mai. The road leading up to the hillside palace is wide and smooth.
Chiang Saen Museum:
The museum in the bordertown of Chiang Saen, 59 km from the provincial town, is famous for its invaluable Buddha images and antiques of the Chiang Saen Kingdom which flourished in the 11 th and 12 th centuries. It is open to the public every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. The town is also known for its charming old temples such as Wat Pa Sak and Wat Phra That Chom Kitti.
Golden Triangle:
Located 9 km to the north of Chiang Saen is the world-famous place where the borders of Thailand,Burma and Laos meet. You can stand at the very point where the Rauk River from Burma flows into the Mekong, to take a fine view of the rice fields and the distant mountains. To get a wider view , you can climb up Doi Chiang Miang on teh riverside. But don't expect to see any such things as poppy fields, heroin factories or drug addicts or traffickers here. Just enjoy the natural beauty and be proud that you have been to a widely-known locality. Both hotel rooms and huts are available, and so are trekking boatside arrangements.
Hilltribes:
Several hilltribes live in the mountainous areas around Chiang Rai, Mae Chan, Mae Sai and along the Kok River.Each group has its own language, costume, customs, and religious beliefs. The largest center is located on the way to Mae Salong.
Doi Mae Salong:
After the Communists took over the mainland of China in 1949 a division of the Nationalist Chinese army fled to the Thai-Burmese border areas. Some of were allowed to settle down on a border mountain called Mae Salong in 1961. The village they founded there soon become well known for its enchanting scenery and tranquil atmosphere. There are guest houses to accommodate tourists and a paved road leading to the village which is about 60 km from Chiang Rai.
Pu Kaeng and Other waterfalls:
Among the numerous waterfalls in Chiang Rai, Pu Kaeng is the largest with a powerful current cascading down the cliff all the year round. It is in Doi Luang National Park about 58 km from Chiang Rai and has a total of 17 leaps. Another beautiful waterfall is called Mae Kon, teh lowest level of which 70 m. high. The road leading to the waterfall is densely wooded. It is only 30 km from the provincial town. The one nearest the main highway No. 1 (only 240m away) is Sai Khao Waterfall. There are hot springs nearby
Mae Sai on Burmese Border:
Mae Sai is the northernmost town of Thailand separated from the Burmese border town of Thachilek by a small river also called Mae Sai. It is frequented by both Thai and foreign tourists, who come to see the sights and to buy jade andother precious stones produced in Burma. Mae Sai is now an important jewellery center, especially jade ornaments.
Rafting Down the Mae Kok:
The 130-km-long Mae Kok is reputed as among scenic and unspoiled rivers still existing in the world today. The stream flows gently most of the way except a series of rapids near the lower reaches of the river, making the trip more exciting. It takes 3 days and 2 nights to cover the 80-km distance by raft from Tha Ton of chiang Mai to Chiang Rai town.
King Mangrai Statue and Temples:
A bronze statue of the founder of 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.
There are several Buddhist temples in town, notably Wat Phra Sing, where Phra Phutta Sihing, an important Theravada image, was originally housed, and Wat PhraKaeo, where the Emerald Buddha, now enshrined in the Royal Temple of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, was first found.
Phra That Doi Tung:
A temple containing the left collar bone of the Buddha on top of the 1364-m. Doi Tung (highest in Chiang Rai), is a most important place of worship for Buddhist in the North. There, on a clear day, one can have a breathtaking panorama of the border areas.
About 7 km from the temple is a beautiful royal residence built for the Princess Mother in celebration of her 90th birthday in 1990. Because of its scenic beauty, the palace, named Phra Tamnak Doi Tung, draws tourists like Bhubing Palace in Chiang Mai. The road leading up to the hillside palace is wide and smooth.
Chiang Saen Museum:
The museum in the bordertown of Chiang Saen, 59 km from the provincial town, is famous for its invaluable Buddha images and antiques of the Chiang Saen Kingdom which flourished in the 11 th and 12 th centuries. It is open to the public every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. The town is also known for its charming old temples such as Wat Pa Sak and Wat Phra That Chom Kitti.
Golden Triangle:
Located 9 km to the north of Chiang Saen is the world-famous place where the borders of Thailand,Burma and Laos meet. You can stand at the very point where the Rauk River from Burma flows into the Mekong, to take a fine view of the rice fields and the distant mountains. To get a wider view , you can climb up Doi Chiang Miang on teh riverside. But don't expect to see any such things as poppy fields, heroin factories or drug addicts or traffickers here. Just enjoy the natural beauty and be proud that you have been to a widely-known locality. Both hotel rooms and huts are available, and so are trekking boatside arrangements.
Hilltribes:
Several hilltribes live in the mountainous areas around Chiang Rai, Mae Chan, Mae Sai and along the Kok River.Each group has its own language, costume, customs, and religious beliefs. The largest center is located on the way to Mae Salong.
Doi Mae Salong:
After the Communists took over the mainland of China in 1949 a division of the Nationalist Chinese army fled to the Thai-Burmese border areas. Some of were allowed to settle down on a border mountain called Mae Salong in 1961. The village they founded there soon become well known for its enchanting scenery and tranquil atmosphere. There are guest houses to accommodate tourists and a paved road leading to the village which is about 60 km from Chiang Rai.
Pu Kaeng and Other waterfalls:
Among the numerous waterfalls in Chiang Rai, Pu Kaeng is the largest with a powerful current cascading down the cliff all the year round. It is in Doi Luang National Park about 58 km from Chiang Rai and has a total of 17 leaps. Another beautiful waterfall is called Mae Kon, teh lowest level of which 70 m. high. The road leading to the waterfall is densely wooded. It is only 30 km from the provincial town. The one nearest the main highway No. 1 (only 240m away) is Sai Khao Waterfall. There are hot springs nearby
Mae Sai on Burmese Border:
Mae Sai is the northernmost town of Thailand separated from the Burmese border town of Thachilek by a small river also called Mae Sai. It is frequented by both Thai and foreign tourists, who come to see the sights and to buy jade andother precious stones produced in Burma. Mae Sai is now an important jewellery center, especially jade ornaments.
Rafting Down the Mae Kok:
The 130-km-long Mae Kok is reputed as among scenic and unspoiled rivers still existing in the world today. The stream flows gently most of the way except a series of rapids near the lower reaches of the river, making the trip more exciting. It takes 3 days and 2 nights to cover the 80-km distance by raft from Tha Ton of chiang Mai to Chiang Rai town.
