Chiang Rai is a town located in Thailand’s Chiang Rai Province. It is the main gateway to the Golden Triangle, which is the name given to the border area of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. The town has quite a number of interesting places to visit such as the Wat Klong Wiang, the Bandaam Museum, and the White Temple. Crossing the border from the nearby Mae Sai to Tachilek (in Myanmar) is an ideal trip for foreigners exploring the Chiang Rai region.
Mae Sai is a town in the northern part of Thailand. It primarily serves as a gateway for those who want to visit Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Tourists visiting Mae Sai with the intention of crossing over to Myanmar should consider spending some time exploring some of the city’s attractions before crossing the border. The Wat Phra That Wai Dao is the most popular local attraction. The temple is situated on top of a tiny hill and overlooks Mae Sai. There is a Burmese temple situated next to the Wat Phra That Wai Dao. A monument of famed Lanna king, Naresuan, who repelled Burmese invaders during his reign, can be found close to the river along with a giant replica of a scorpion whose claws point towards Tachilek.
Tachilek is a border town located in the state of Shan in eastern Myanmar, and is the point at which tourists enter Myanmar via Mae Sai. To get in from Thailand one has to get a visa at the border. Visas are typically given for two weeks and only apply to the Tachilek region. The town once played an integral part in the opium trade in the Golden Triangle region but is now something of a trading town. One can find a variety of goods at the local market and it is fun to visit even if one does not do any shopping. One should also visit Shwedagon Paya, which is the town’s big, gilded pagoda.
Tourists looking for a good hotel Chiang Rai can try the Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand. Nestled amidst lush greenery, the hotel offers nature lovers an experience they will treasure. Providing a multitude of services it is undoubtedly one of the best Chiang Rai hotels around.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
