Chiang Saen makes for a nice diversion between trips to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. See the National Museum, Wat Chedi Luang and hilltop Wat Phrathat Chom Kitti, which has a dreamy view of the city and the river. Need a room? Just visit HotelTravel.com.
Few have heard of Chiang Saen, one of Thailand's oldest towns and once a powerful fortified city close to where the Golden Triangle is located. Established in 1327 surviving architecture includes temples, chedis and other Buddhist images. Some of the artifacts date back to an era before the Chiang Saen Kingdom, the time of Yonok, which is loosely affiliated with a number of other ancient kingdoms that predate most Siamese kingdoms.
- Activities for Children in Chiang Saen
- Activities in Chiang Saen
- Chiang Rai Airport
- Chiang Saen Accommodation
- Chiang Saen Airport
- Chiang Saen Bank
- Chiang Saen Climate
- Chiang Saen Culture
- Chiang Saen Festivals
- Chiang Saen Golden Triangle
- Chiang Saen History
- Chiang Saen Information
- Chiang Saen Lake
- Chiang Saen Lake
- Chiang Saen National Museum
- Chiang Saen Restaurant
- Chiang Saen Shopping
- Chiang Saen Sports
- Chiang Saen Time
- Chiang Saen Tour
- Chiang Saen Tourism
- Chiang Saen Vacation
- Chiang Saen Weather
- Hall of Opium Chiang Saen
- Lanna Culture Festival
- Loy Kratong Chiang Saen
- Sightseeing in Chiang Saen
- Songkran Festival in Chiang Saen
- Things to do in Chiang Saen
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Pa Sak Chiang Saen
- Wat Phra That Chedi Luang
Few people have heard of Chiang Saen, a sleepy little town along the Mekong River in the north of Thailand, but it’s one of the oldest and most historically significant towns in the country. Although its heyday is long past, visitors can still wander among the crumbled remains of Buddhist temples and pagodas built during the 13th and 14th centuries. There are enough historic sites in and around Chiang Saen to keep you busy for a day or two.
Featuring the Mekong River and Chiang Sean Lake, many adults choose to entertain their kids in Chiang Saen by spending an afternoon on the water. Boat rides along the river are always fun and interesting, and the lake makes a fine spot for a picnic and running around. An elephant trek into the jungle is another good choice, though these excursions usually take place outside of the city.
New Years Day: as in most countries around the world, Thailand celebrates the Western New Year with a night of partying and fireworks in the larger towns. Chiang Saen may not put on much of a show, but you can be sure the locals will be out along the river having a good time.
Chiang Saen may have been the capital of the great Lanna Kingdom a few centuries ago but today it is just another sleepy northern Thai town along the banks of the Mekong River. Attractions in Chiang Saen encompass the ruins of its Buddhist temples and chedis, which are among the most significant in Thailand. There is also a great cultural museum in town, and the mighty Mekong River provides a fascinating scene all of its own. Visitors won’t find much action here, but it’s the languid pace of life that makes Chiang Saen so charming.
The closest airport to Chiang Saen is in Chiang Rai, about an hour’s drive to the west. Three airlines offer regular service between Chiang Rai and Bangkok. Thailand’s national carrier, Thai Airways, provides frequent service, while the regional budget carriers One-Two-Go and SGA also run daily or weekly flights. Once you get to Chiang Rai, you’ll have to arrange for private transportation to Chiang Saen on a minibus or use the public bus network which has decent air-conditioned coaches running several times each day.
Banks: 08:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:30 to 16:30; Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 08:00 to 19:00, daily
Museums: 09:00 to 16:00, Wednesday to Sunday
Business Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Not much choice for hotels in the very quiet town of Chiang saen if one does not belong to the 100-Baht-a-night backpacker phalanx. In this respect, Chiang Saen Hill Hotel is a good choice for someone...
