Chiang Rai: The Gateway to the Golden Triangle

Chiang Rai is the provincial capital of Thailand’s northernmost province of the same name. It is the main commercial center of the famed Golden Triangle which includes Myanmar and Laos. Of course, there is more to the city than its opium trading past. The town itself is a great place to explore and learn about Thai life and the city’s neighboring villages.

Chiang Rai was founded by King Mangrai in 1262 and eventually became capital of the Mangrai dynasty. Its status as capital city did not last long as a new city called Chiang Mai was built. Chiang Rai had been conquered by Burmese forces and remained under their power for hundreds of years until it fell under Chiang Mai rule and finally became a part of Siam in 1899.

The Emerald Buddha (one of the most sacred relics in all of Thailand) was discovered in Chiang Rai in 1432 when an earthquake split open a stupa at Wat Phra Kaew, with the relic concealed within. Chiang Rai is a fascinating blend of nature and traditional life. A great way to explore the city is by three-wheeled rickshaw where you can see various monuments such as the King Meng Rai Monument, Wat Phra Kaew, the Hill Tribe Museum and Wat Rong Khun.

The Mekong River, the world’s 12th largest river forms borders with Laos and Myanmar, offering a scenic experience as you pass by the Burmese and Lao countryside. The river is also known for its biodiversity with over 1,200 fish species and occasional visits by the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin.

Other things to explore while in borthern Thailand:Mae Fah Luang Gardens (established by the King's mother in 1987 to eradicate the cultivation of opium and encourage farmers to use sustainable agricultural practices); Wat Phrathad Doi Tung (where Buddha’s left collarbone is believed to be enshrined between two pagodas); the bustling border and trading town of Mae Sai; an elephant ride and a swim in the waterfalls after a trek up and down the lush hills; a boat ride to a Karen hilltribe village.

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