Authentic Chiang Rai: the Old and the New

Authentic Chiang Rai: the Old and the New – three days

Day 1: Drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

200 km, total driving time 3,5 hours

Visit the famous White Temple

This is a private trip. No one else will join you. Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Chiang Mai at 0800 to begin your Authentic Chiang Rai Tour. The drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai will take about three hours.
Our first stop is at the Mae Kha Chan Hot Springs, a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy the natural geothermal waters. From here, we continue to the spectacular Wat Rong Khun, widely known as the White Temple. This breathtaking masterpiece, created by celebrated artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, is unlike any other temple in Thailand.

We included it in the program because it is probably the only must-see site in Chiang Rai. Its dazzling white exterior stands out in the landscape. We will have lunch in a local restaurant and stop briefly at the Singha Park tea plantations.

The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park

The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is an extensive and magnificent park with some stunning wooden structures. It houses the region’s largest collection of Lanna artifacts and showcases the rich heritage of the Lanna Kingdom, which flourished from the 13th to the 18th century. It is dedicated to preserving Lanna culture, a distinct tradition of the Tai languages speaking peoples across Northern Thailand, southern China, eastern Myanmar, and northwestern Vietnam. The Lanna Kingdom, founded by King Mangrai in the 13th century, was a federation of principalities known for its trade networks and unique artistic heritage, which the park celebrates through its extensive collection of teak artifacts, Buddhist relics, and folk art.

The magnificent Haw Kam pavilion

They constructed the  Haw Kham constructed it from the wood of 32 dismantled houses in Chiang Rai province. This striking teakwood pavilion reflects traditional Lanna architecture, inspired by Wat Pong Sanuk in Lampang province. The pavilion houses a collection of sacred artifacts, including wooden Buddha images, scripture cabinets, and candle holders. It is time to check into our hotel for tonight. The Hi Chiang Rai Hotel is close to the Night Bazar of Chiang Rai and also to the famous Chalermprakiat Clock Tower. Chiang Rai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the founder of the White Temple, designed this unique clock tower. Every night at 1900, 2000 and 2100 the Clock Tower lights up in different colors to the sound of soothing music.

Day 2: From Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen

70 km, total driving time 1,5 hours

Explore historical Chiang Rai by samlor

After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel at 0830. It is only a short drive to the monument of King Mangrai, the founder of Chiang Rai. We will pay our respect to the founding father of Chiang Rai. Here our samlors are waiting for us. The samlor is a three-wheel bicycle taxi that was an important public means of transportation in the old days. With the increase of motorized vehicles this eco-friendly and relaxing mode of transportation has been marginalized. Only about 40 of them are left in Chiang Rai. This morning we will visit several places in the old center of Chiang Rai.

After a short introduction we are on the way. Our first stop will be the Singhaklai House. Canadian Dr. William A. Briggs, who headed the Presbyterian mission in Chang Rai from 1900 to 1918, designed this house, that is known as the OMF Missionary House. It is now the office of the Modchanapai Foundation and organizes exhibitions on the first floor. We continue along the Singhaklai road, one of the oldest roads of Chiang Rai, to Wat Phra Singh. Along the way, we pass the beautiful Old City Hall of Chiang Rai. 

Wat Phra Singh, the Central Market of Chiang Rai 

Wat Phra Singh is a significant Buddhist temple in the center of Chiang Rai. A temple at this location dates to the 14th century, when the brother of Phaya (King) Kue na, the sixth king of the Mangrai dynasty (1355-1385) established a temple here. According to records they constructed the current temple complex in 1890. The craftsmen were the same who worked on the construction of Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Ngam Muang, two other temples in the vicinity.

The first photos of Wat Phra Singh were made by a French photographer who accompanied employees of the Danish East Asiatic Company on a survey journey in 1904. At Wat Phra Singh we will meet a monk for a short chat and blessing. From Wat Phra Singh we will walk to Kad Luang (“the Big Market”), the central market of Chiang Rai. This is the authentic heart of Chiang Rai, the old commercial center. We will walk around the market and taste some local delicacies.

Wat Phra Kaew and the Overbrook Memorial House

Our next stop will be at the Overbrook Memorial House, opposite the Overbrook Hospital. This small but very interesting museum tells the history of the hospital and has old medical instrument on show. American missionaries founded the hospital in 1903 and named it in honor of the Grace family from the Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, USA, who provided significant financial support for its establishment. The original hospital building is still there but the hospital is much bigger now. We continue to Wat Phra Kaew, the most well-known temple of Chiang Rai and the former home of the Emerald Buddha. After this visit it is time to say goodbye to our samlor driver and go for a delicious Khao Soi lunch in one of our favorite restaurants.

Wat Rong Suea Ten and the Baan Dam Museum

After lunch we will drive to Wat Rong Suea Ten aka the Blue Temple. Since its opening the Blue Temple has quickly become a popular destination for visitors of Chiang Rai. We continue to another fairly recent addition to the Chiang Rai attractions: the Baan Dam Museum, established by another local artist. The late Thawan Duchanee‘s creation is a large compound with somber structures that showcase his paintings and other dark artifacts. It is a fascinating place and worth spending some time. Both the Blue Temple and the Baan Dam Museum have become must-see destinations in Chiang Rai.

The Ancient City of Chiang Saen

Our destination today is the Ancient City of Chiang Saen on the Mekong River. Chiang Saen once was one of the most powerful fortified cities of North Thailand. In 1804 Siamese and Northern Thai troops conquered and destroyed Chiang Saen, which was a Burmese stronghold at the time. After the conquest the victors forcibly relocated the population to other parts of North Thailand. Chiang Saen became a ruined city and over time nature took over. Within and around the impressive city walls there are numerous temple ruins of which we visit Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pasak and Wat Jorm Mork. After this we will check in to our accommodation for tonight, the family-run Pak Ping Rim Khong.

Day 3: Chiang Saen to Chiang Rai Airport

140 km, total driving time 3 hours

By local boat on the Mekong River to the Golden Triangle

After breakfast we will continue our Authentic Chiang Rai trip and board a local boat for the short ride on the Mekong River to the Golden Triangle. In the past the name Golden Triangle was associated with a large area of North Thailand, bordering Shan State in Myanmar and northwest Laos. This area was a major hub for opium production and trade, particularly from the mid-20th century, earning it a reputation as a lawless area tied to drug trafficking. The name “Golden Triangle” reflects the wealth generated from this trade. The Golden Triangle is now a spot where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers.

There are souvenir stalls, a Buddha image and other tourist attractions. On the other side of the Mekong River you will observe a Chinese investment in Laos: the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone. We will visit the small House of Opium, an interesting museum dedicated to the history of the opium trade. After this, we continue our trip to Mae Sai, the gateway to Shan State in Myanmar.

The border of Thailand and Myanmar

Mae Sai is the most lively border town in Thailand. The border is currently closed to people other than Thai or Myanmar nationals due to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar. The border crossing is a bridge over the Ruak river in the Myanmar border town of Tachileik. Mae Sai has a huge border market that attracts many local tourists. To get a great view of the border and Tachileik we hop on a purple shuttle truck that will take us to Wat Phra That Doi Wao aka the Scorpion temple.

Two years ago they constructed a so-called Sky Walk at this temple and made the color purple the dominant color of the temple. The Sky Walk is a glass-and-iron sky bridge or walkway that offers great views. We will spend some time here to enjoy the atmosphere and the views. After that we will wander through the border market. Roasted chestnuts is a specialty of Mae Sai.

Phra That Doi Tung, the Temple of the Pig

An Authentic Chiang Rai tour is not complete without a visit to the stunning Phra That Doi Tung, the Temple of the Pig. This is one of the oldest temples in North Thailand and offers spectacular views over the region. It is the only temple with twin chedis. Phra That Doi Tung is on one of the peaks of Doi Tung mountain. Before we drive up the mountain we will have lunch at a local restaurant.

After we will drive up the mountain. If you want, we will take you along the Naga staircase to the temple, a place of pilgrimage for those who were born in the year of the pig. Because if its location on “top of the world” this temple has a very special and serene atmosphere. Mostly local tourists visit Phra That Doi Tung, which often is omitted from itineraries of western visitors.

The Red Temple of Mercy

To complete the palette of color temples we will visit Wat Huay Pla Kang, the Red Temple of Mercy. From afar you can see the giant statue of Kuan Im, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Some people call Wat Huay Pla Kang the “Chinese temple” because of the Kuan Im statue and the architecture. It is one of the most remarkable Buddhist temples of North Thailand because of its philanthropic activities. The temple is all about donations for the disadvantaged people of Chiang Rai. From donations the temple funded a hospital that offers free healthcare. We take the elevator within the Kuan Im statue to enjoy views of the area surrounding. After this, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight. We hope you enjoyed our “Authentic Chiang Rai: the Old and the New” trip.