3 Star Places To Visit in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand (12)

1. 3.5 Golden Triangle (1.081 reviews)
   - Interesting experience.
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   This was originally the opium-growing region of northern India Thailand, eastern Burma and western Laos, but is now mainly a tourist attraction. See more..
   
2. 3.5 The Thai - Burmese Border Gate (317 reviews)
   - Border now open for overland travels in Myanmar
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Until now international tourists could not travel to other regions in Myanmar, when they crossed the border between Mae Sai and Tachilek. This has changed on August 28. Myanmar now allows international tourists to enter the country at the for checkpoints of Mae Sai / Tachilek, Mae Sot / Myawaddy, Phunaron / Htee Kee and Ranong / Kawthoung. Of course you have to have the visa stamp already in your passport, because there are no visa on arrival. Read more about this decision: http://myanmarinsider.blogspot.ch/2013/09/myanmar-opens-border-with-thailand.html See more..
   
3. 3.5 Golden Triangle (185 reviews)
   - A very pleasant half day trip
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   This was part of the opium-growing region of northern Thailand, eastern Burma and western Laos. See more..
   
4. 3.0 The 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (79 reviews)
   - the new way to get to the long boat
   Points of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
   
   
   if on foot do this,,, get a tuk tuk from chaing khong (its about 10km outside and will coast 100 baht each. Then get your passport stamped at departures. Get the bus over the bridge (about 40 baht per person also may have to pay for extra bags but we got away with it) The shuttle bus leaves every 20 mins or when ever its full. Then get off at the Laos side. Pay $35 after you have filled in a Laos visa form and then your are in. You will need to get a tuk tuk to the long boat port which will be another 100 baht each. Once you get to the port (boat leaves at 11am) go to the ticket office and buy the ticket. They take baht dollars and Kip (120,000 kip or 900 baht per ticket). You should get a seat number for day one so if your early go grab a coffee and some baguettes for lunch! no need to get a tour do this journey yourself.. save your self some money and hassle.. This new bridge is a dream, but does mean two extra tuktuk journeys rather than the old boat across the river system. See more..
   
5. 3.5 Mae Khachan Hot Spring (78 reviews)
   - Worth a stop...
   Hot Springs & Geysers
   
   
   น้ำพุร้อนแม่ขะจาน See more..
   
6. 3.5 Fish Cave (54 reviews)
   - Nice cave, good view of Golden Triangle from the top
   Caverns & Caves
   
   
   Wat Thampla (Fish & Monkey Cave) is located about an hour drive from Chiang Rai. We visitid it during our day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. There were monkeys running freely in the compound, snatching bananas offered by the visitors. The fish were found in a stream that flows out from the cave. My main objective of visiting is to visit the cave and sights behind the temple. The cave is sitting on a steep hill behind the temple. Climb up some 200 stone steps (read: tired legs!), you will be greeted by the sight of towering limestone walls, magnificent! Entered the pitch dark cave, there is a shrine with Buddha statue sitting in the serene cave. Take another small detour outside the cave, you will be pleasantly surprised with the inspiring panoramic view of the jungle bordering Thailand, Myanmar and Laos (Golden Triangle). It is a perfect place to rest your tired feet and take some pictures before you make your way back to the foot of the hill. See more..
   
7. 3.5 Thaweesin Hot Spring (30 reviews)
   - Natural Hot Spring
   Spent < 1 hour Thermal Spas
   
   
   It's nothing wow, but you can stop for some time and look around Natural Hot Spring. Take a Day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, depending on traffic, it takes around an hour from Chiang Mai City. You can look over silver shops and some quick food. Don't be surprised if you see, local keeping eggs inside the spring in a basket to boil. Not sure about the ancient temple name. Note: Checking temperature in bare hand not recommended. See more..
   
8. 3.5 Hill Tribe Villages (23 reviews)
   - The Long Neck People
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Heard about this group of people. Able to visit this village. How the ladies endure this neck-breaking life? The "necklace" is made of long and heavy rod. Girls as young as six years old start to put this necklace around their necks. I don't really understand for what reasons, maybe for attraction, safety or traditional beliefs. See more..
   
9. 3.5 Sankhong Happy Street (16 reviews)
   - A very local Thai night market, not your usual tourist rubbish
   Wednesday: Spent 1-2 hours Flea & Street Markets
   
   
   Not so sure I agree with the previous review that it is smaller than the Saturday night market, I actually thought it was much bigger, well longer and a great deal more food outlets. What is great is that it is mostly for Thai people but of course Tourist are very welcome but there were few obvious foreigners. The street is blocked off and has 3 lanes of stalls, not easy to cross over thru the middle lane so be prepared to walk the whole market. Some of the food outlets are very adventurous like the fried insects, very interesting!. Some very good bargains for presents. A very relaxed local market for a Sunday evening. See more..
   
10. 3.5 Wat Phra Buat (15 reviews)
    - Lanna culture on a river bank
    Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
    
    
    Nicely located on the Mekong Chieng Saen, you can see Chinese boats tied up, visit a range of interesting old walls/stupas/wats similar to Chieng Mai but without the crowds, wander down the wide streets and just "chill out". The famous Golden Triangle is a short car trip up the road where you can view China, Laos and Myanmar at the river junction . See more..
    
11. 3.5 Wat Chetawan (10 reviews)
    - Not the usual Thai temple
    Religious Sites
    
    
    This is a semi-derelict temple and is therefore a bit different from the usual temples we visited. We were almost 'templed out' but went anyway. It was worth a stop, particularly if you are in the area, but you don't need much time there. See more..
    
12. 3.5 Santiburi Country Club (2 reviews)
    Golf Courses
    See more..