Chiang Rai Overview
The charming town of Chiang Rai is found in Thailand's northernmost province, roughly 500 miles north of Bangkok. This city is the capital of the province of the same name, and in antiquity it was briefly the seat of the powerful Lanna Kingdom.
Chiang Rai is bisected by Phaholythin road, the main street running north-south through the city centre. Here, a few charming restaurants, hotels and second-hand book stores offer tourists comfortable amenities without the burden of big-city life. Many tourists arrive via the bus station, as the country’s northbound railroad terminates further south in Chiang Mai.
Clipped to the north by the Mae Kok River, Chiang Rai is not far from Thailand's northern border where the mighty Mekong River skirts the boundaries of Thailand, Laos and Burma in a culturally rich region known as the Golden Triangle. Opium was once the booming cash crop here in the valleys of the Mekong and Mae Kok, though alternative crops have since replaced the majority of the poppy fields.
Most of Chiang Rai's visitors spend relatively little time in the town and instead invest their energy in area excursions. Daytrips to the Golden Triangle are becoming increasingly popular, and tourists continue to make Chiang Rai their home base between jungle treks and visits to outlying hill tribe villages.
This part of the country also hosts communities of Chinese immigrants who arrived in the last 50 years, fleeing communist oppression. Though these groups capitalise on local markets and embrace tourism, they still manage to maintain their own cultural identity. Villages like the one on Doi Mae Salong are extremely unique, fostering a fascinating blend of cultures.
In fact, it is just this kind of cultural infusion that makes Chiang Rai so tantalising to visitors. Remnants of ancient Burma still simmer in pots of kaow soy curries, while rows of oolong tea grow in Chinese plantations. Locals are just as proud of Bangkok's royal family as they are of ancient King Meng Rai and the historic old guard, the loyalties of which vacillated between Burma, Laos and Thailand.
Whether you're visiting Chiang Rai to discover the Golden Triangle, trek into the dense jungles, interact with hill tribes, or just relax in the unhurried city centre, you'll be well taken care of by local accommodation. There are plenty of intimate guesthouses and historic lodges alongside an increasing number of upscale hotels, the latter of which are driven by the ever-growing stream of tourists that arrive from Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Ancestors of northern Thai people migrated from China through Burma and Laos some 5,000 years ago, and the first organised city state in this region was founded at modern-day Chiang Saen along the Mekong River. These nomadic people brought with them the traditions and beliefs of China, Burma and Laos, ultimately wedding them into the distinct culture that thrives in Chiang Rai today.
In those days, Chiang Rai belonged to the Lanna Kingdom, an autonomous and prosperous kingdom that enjoyed good political ties with the southern Thai kingdoms. Lanna means 'land of a million rice fields', a title fitting this rich and rural agricultural region.
The Lanna Kingdom's founding father was King Meng Rai, a powerful ruler who laid the foundations of his kingdom in the 13th century. Legend has it that he followed his elephant as it wandered off the path, ultimately leading him to the place where he founded his capital city, Chiang Rai.
While Chiang Rai's capital status was fleeting (King Mengrai later founded Chiang Mai, which assumed capital status soon after), Chiang Rai remained the king's favourite city. Today a monument to him stands in central Chiang Rai.
Mengrai entered into a blood pact with King Rama Kampeng of Sukothai and King Ngarm Muang of Phayao, and this trio of rulers enjoyed peaceful relations throughout their lives. Today, the Three Kings Monument stands in Chiang Mai as a tribute to the cooperation of these rulers.
The Lanna Kingdom eventually suffered under repeated Burmese and Lao attacks. The art, architecture and overall culture of Chiang Rai was infused with elements from these invading kingdoms. In the 1700s, the kingdom of Siam invaded from the south and reclaimed Lanna from the Burmese. Further advances were made by Siam, and after a long and unsuccessful siege on Chiang Saen, Rama I of Siam ordered its destruction.
Loyalties in Chiang Rai and throughout the Lanna Kingdom were scattered between Burma, Siam and Laos. It wasn't until 1939 when a governor from Bangkok was sent to rule Chiang Mai that the Lanna Kingdom was officially brought under the umbrella of the Kingdom of Siam.
Today, Chiang Rai is a somewhat sleepy, provincial capital that sits at the heart of a region rich in history and culture. The countries of Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand converge nearby at the Golden Triangle, with China lying just over the horizon. Visitors come to explore the dense, mountainous jungle; taste the unique cuisine of northern Thailand; and interact with ethnic hill tribe minorities that continue to maintain their distinct traditions and cultures.
Chiang Rai's climate is characterised by three distinct seasons: hot, rainy and cool. Due to the overall higher altitude, mean temperatures in Chiang Rai are typically cooler than in Thailand's southern, low-lying provinces.
The hot season lasts from March to May, and daytime temperatures during the hottest month (April) average at 30°C. In May or June, the rains arrive, and with them relief from the heat. If you visit during the rainy season, be sure to visit the waterfall at Buffalo Horn Hill, as it benefits from the swelling rivers and streams.
During the monsoon season, regular rainfall continues until October. This rainy season is markedly shorter than that experienced in central and southern Thailand. The heaviest showers set in during the months of August and September, during which time provincial roads may flood and wash out. During periods of heavy rain, it is wise to check with the local tourist information office before venturing into remote, potentially flooded areas.
The refreshingly cool season begins late in October and continues well into the New Year. Average daytime temperatures drop to 21°C (even cooler after dark). Of course, temperatures are even lower at higher altitudes. With this in mind, visitors are wise to bring along a layer of warm clothing when visiting villages at high altitude or embarking on an overnight trek.
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This is one of the best hotels we ever stayed at. Rooms are very clean the the bathroom is very roomy. The staff are very friendly, helpful and accommodating. A bit out of town but it is a great refug...
This is one of the best hotels we ever stayed at. Rooms are very clean the the bathroom is very roomy. The staff are very friendly, helpful and accommodating. A bit out of town but it is a great refug...
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