This is located on the city outskirts, beside the northern road to Mae
Chan, and honours the monarch who founded Chaing Rai in 1262.
--------------------------------------------
Ku Phra Chao Meng Rai
Situated in Wat Ngam Muang, on Ngam Muang Hillock, this stupa contains
King Mengrai's ashes and relics.
--------------------------------------------
Wat Phra That Doi Thong
This ancient
hilltop pagoda overlooks the Mae Kok River and predates the founding of
Chiang Rai as the capital of Lanna Thai.
--------------------------------------------
Wat Phra Singha
This temple, on
Singhakhlai Road, is a fine example of Lanna Thai religious
architecture. The Phra Buddha Singh image now hourse in Chaing Mai's Wat
Phra Singh was formerly enshrined here.
--------------------------------------------
Wat Phra Kaew
Formerly called Wat Pa Yia (bamboo forest), this is where
the Emerald Buddha image was found. Thus the name of
the temple was derived.
On 21 Oct 1990, Buddhist clerics and laity agreed to build
the Jade Buddha (commonly called Phra Yok Chiang Rai) to
celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Princess Mother's
birthday. The Buddha image was officially name Phra
Phuttha Rattanakonnawuttiwatsanuson Mongkhon, which means
the Buddha who is the source of gems.
In the main prayer hall tands a huge bronze Buddha image in
the posture of "sub-duing mara, or demon". This is
commonly known as Phra-Chao Lan Thong in Chiang Rai.
It was transferred from Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong to this
temple in 1961. The main hall itself was built in 1960
in the neo-Lanna style with double-tiered roof decorates
with colored glass along the eaves and the beams. The
front portal posts and gable are decorated with intricate
golden patterns. The doors are showpieces of northern
wood-carving techniques.
J
a
d
e
B
u
d
d
h
a
--------------------------------------------
Hat Chiang Rai
Located 5
kilometres from the city, this scenic riverside area and promenade is a
recreation area for local inhabitants.
--------------------------------------------
Mae
Kok River
Known in Thai as
Maenam Kok, this scenic 130-kilometre long waterway runs through the
heart of Chiang Rai. The river is a major transportation artery from
neighboring Chaing Mai province, especially the town of Tha Ton (180
kilometres north of Chaing Mai provincial capital), whence tong-tailed
boats make the 3-4 hour journey every day at 12.30 PM (Chaing Rai-Tha
Ton: 10.30 AM). The river passes several hilltribe settlements and
elephant camps from where jungle treks originate.
--------------------------------------------
Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall
Located 30
kilometres south of Chiang Rai provincial capital, along Routes 1211 &
1208, the 70-metre high Khun Korn Waterfall is considered the highest
the most beautiful in Chiang Rai.
--------------------------------------------
Chiang San
Ancient Town
This riverside town facing the Mekong River is 30 kilometres
from Mae Chan via Highway No. 1016, predates Chiang Rai and
is famous for a special style of Buddha image.
--------------------------------------------
Chiang Saen National Museum
This petite
museum exhibits local objets díart, including Chiang Saen-style Buddha
images and Lanna Thai artifacts. The museum is open on Wednesdays -
Sundays from 9.00 AM until 4.00 PM, except national holidays.
--------------------------------------------
Wat Phra That Chedi Luang
This ancient
88-metre high brick pagoda, next to the museum, is the tallest religious
monument in Chaing Rai.
Built in 1291,
this temple houses the biggest chedi in Chiang Saen. It is a
bell-shapped chedi with an octagonal base. The main hall and other
surrounding chedis have all fallen in ruins.
--------------------------------------------
Wat Pa Sak
Located
outside the city walls, some 200 metres from the Tourist Service Centre,
this deserted temple, with ornamental stucco motifs, is regarded as
being one of the most beautiful examples of Lanna architecture in
northern Thailand.
In 1295,
Prince Saen Phu built this temple to contain Buddha's relics. He
also had 300 teak trees planted in the temple compound.
Wat Pa Sak
sits on 16 acre of land. There are 22 historic remains on the
temple grounds. The main bell-shaped chedi has five tapering
spires.
The chedi at
Wat Pa Sak are considered to be the best physical condition as well as
the most beautiful of Lanna Style. The pattern and design on the
chedi reflect artistic development in Chiang Saen, revealing its
original adoption of Sukhothai, Pagan (Phukam), and Hariphunchai
artistric styles. Through the process of cultural transformation,
a unique Chiang Saen style was realized. It has since become the
prototype of Lanna chedis.
Wat Pa Sak
--------------------------------------------
Wat Phra That Chom Kitti
This hilltop temple has a pagoda containing a Buddha relic.
This
temple challenges it visitors to climb up 339 steps in order to admire its
beauty. It is, however, also accessible by car. King Phangkharat
had this shrine built to contain Buddha's relics. In 1487, Muen
Chiang Song had a new pagoda built to cover the old pagoda.
Anothe
pagoda containing Buddha's relics in the area is Phra That Chom Chaeng.
A look-out point behind this pagoda offers a vantage point to enjoy the
Mekong vista.
Phra That Chom Kitti
--------------------------------------------
Wat Phra That Pha-Ngao
Located 4
kilometres along the Chaing Saen-Chaing Khong road, this temples hilltop
pagoda offers a spectacular view of the Mekong River and Laos.
Built uniquely
on a big slab of solid rock, Phra That Pha Ngao is a relatively small
bell-shaped pagoda. Another slab of rock stands in front of the
pagoda as though it were the shadow. Thus derived the name
"pha-ngao", meaning the rock shadow.
Initially,
this temple was called Wat Sop Kham. Its former location was by
Mekong River, and the temple was annually eroded by the tides.
Townspeople thus agreed to rebuild the temple further inland by a
deserted temple at the foot of Doi Kham. During the construction,
they found under the base of the old Buddha image a magnificent Chiang
Saen style statuette in subduing mara posture. After half of the
Buddha image was revealed, the excavation was stopped and a prayer has
was built to cover it. The image was called "Luang Pho Pha Ngao".
Phra That Pha-Ngao
--------------------------------------------
Chaing Saen Lake
South of Chaing Saen, along Highway No. 1016 (a 2-kilometre trip from
the Km. 27 marker), this one square kilometre lake hosts migratory
waterfowl during the winter months. Birds are seen at their best and
most plentiful from November through February.
--------------------------------------------
The Golden Triangle
8 kilometres
north of Chaing Saen, this riverside area marks the spot where the
borders of Thailand, Myammar and Laos converge.
This is the
cross-roads of the three-land borders. The Ruak River bordering
Thailand and Myanmar runs into the Mekong River from Laos creating the
well known Golden Triangle. In the old days drug traffickers
secretly met to barter off opium with gold nuggets. Today it is a
bustling tourist destination where visitors come to enjoy the rising sun
emerging from the misty seas of fog.
For an aerial
glimpse of the Golden Triangle, you need to climb uphill to Doi Chiang
Miang by the Mekong River where Wat Phra That Doi Pu Khao once stood.
Only a pile of bricks remains to mark the site, but it provides a
look-out point to catch "the big picture" of the Golden Triangle.
--------------------------------------------
Mekong River Trips
Boats can be hired from Chaing Saen to travel upstream to
the Golden Triangle, and downstream to Chiang Khong. The
trip to the Golden Triangle takes some 30 minutes, the trip
to Chiang Khong about 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on
river currents and water levels.
There are several piers to board a river cruise. A
six-passenger trip can cost about 300-400 Baht A
long-distance cruise. which certainly costs more, can
take you as far as Chiang Kong, Luang Prabang, Sip Song Pan
Na , and even Khunming (South of China).
--------------------------------------------
Wat Phra That Doi Pu Khao
This riverside temple near the Sop Ruak Market, offers a spectacular
view of the Golden Triangleís riverine and mountain areas.
--------------------------------------------
Mae Chan
Doi Mae Salong
Located some 40 kilometres from Mae Chan, along Route 1089, a
mountaintop settlement known as Santi Khiri is home to descendants of
Chinese Nationalist soldiers who fled to, and settled in Thailand, in
1940. Mountainside plantations of coffee, and fruit orchards, provide
scenic variety. The area is particularly picturesque in December and
January when Thai cherry trees are in blossom. Accommodation,
restuarants and opportunities for horse - riding and trekking number
among major attractions. 60 kilometres beyond Doi Mae Salong via
Ban Thoetthai is Doi Hua Mae Kham where a large Lisu hilltribe village
is located. During December, the area is dotted with yellow wild
sunflower called Bua Tong.
It is very famous among Thai people for years.
Tourists of various generations have flocked here.
Some fancy the Sakura Flower grown along the 2 sides of the
road up to the hill. Many local tourist love fine weather
here. Chinese food is widely cooked and served.
When you are here, you should not miss taste Chinese Tea, at
a food shop or Mae Salong Resort.
--------------------------------------------
Hot Spring
Located 8
kilometres from Mae Chan, along Route 1089, this complex has hot mineral
water and bath-house facilities. Accommodation is also available.
--------------------------------------------
Hilltribe Development & Welfare Centre
15 kilometres
along the route to Doi Mae Salong, the centre aids and administers local
hilltribe settlements. Hilltribe handicrafts, including woven cloth and
silverware, are on sale.
--------------------------------------------
Doi Saen Chai
5 kilometres beyond the Welfare Centre, this Akha hilltribe village can
be reached solely by 4-wheel drive vehicles.
,
