To commemorate
the founder of Chiang Rai, and to pay homage to Phraya Mang Rai, this
festival is held by the end of January or early February, normally at
the main fairground of the city.
Tea-Tasting and
Cherry Blossom
Tourists flock to Doi Mae Salong in Mae
Fa Luang to admire the cherry trees which have burst into full bloom,
covering the whole mountains with their pink floral blankets from early
or the end of January, depending on the cold weather. This
coincides with the tea-tasting festival. During the festival,
there are tea-making demonstrations, a display of the tea growing
process, a tea-queen beauty pageant, as weel as performances by Doi Mae
Salong's hilltribes.
Songkran Festival
Traditional
Thai New Year celebrations are best seen at Chaing Saen where 4 nations
(Thailand, Laos, China and Myanmar) compete in boat races on the Mekong
River. Beauty contests and cultural shows are added attractions. The
festival is annually held from April 16-18.
Lychee fair
This is held
annually in May. Celebrating the province’s tastiest fruit, this fair
features agricultural displays and exhibitions, local handicrafts, folk
entertainment and beauty contests.
Blooming Bua-Tong
festival
November is the time of tiny yellow wild sunflowers locally called
"bua-tong". They cover vast areas on Doi Hua Mae Kham along
the Thai-Myanmar borders in Mae Fa Luang. The tiny blooms turn
the entire mountain range into a golden heaven amidst loitering
white fog, making it an unforgettable vista.
