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is located in Mae Fa Luang district, reachable
by taking Highway No. 110 for about 48 kilometres. Then
turn left onto Highway No. 1149, an asphalt road leading
to Doi Tung. The route winds through beautiful scenery and
with many interesting sites. These include the Doi Tung
Palace and the Mae Fa Luang Garden, Akha and Muser tribal
villages. There are also view points and the Phra That Doi
Tung Holy Relic, an old religious site atop the Doi, about
2,000 metres above sea level.
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is about 9 kilometres from the Chiang Saen
old town to the north along the road parallel to the Mae
Khong River. The area is locally referred to as "Sop Ruak",
Where the Mae Khong meets the Ruak River. This is where
the borders of three countries, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand,
come together. There are remains of many ancient places
and structures attesting to the area having been settled
by people in the past. It is also where various legends
on the Lanna ancestors originate.
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Mae Sai which is about 62 kilometers from the
provincial seat on Highway No. 110 is Thailand's northern-most
district. Mae Sai borders on Myanmar's Tha Khi Lek marked by the Mae
Sai River with a bridge spanning both sides. Foreign visitors are
allowed to cross over to Tha Khi Lek market by presenting their
passports and paying a fee at the Mae Sai immigration checkpoint. In
addition, there are tour services to Chiang Tung in Myanmar, which is
approximately 160 kilometers north by road.
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Wat Rong Khun is also known as the White Temple.
Whereas most temples visited by tourists have a history going back many
centuries, this magnificent place of worship was built only recently.
It is the realization of a dream for Thailands noted artist, Mr
Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed and is supervising the
construction of this beautiful white temple and its many statues of
figures based on religious beliefs. The construction started in 1998
and is expected to be completed in 2008. In addition, there is a
gallery nearby exhibiting his paintings. To get there from the city of
Chiang Rai, drive north along Asia Highway.
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is the site of Santi Khiri village,
a community settled by remnants of the former Chinese 93rd
Division who moved from Myanmar to Thai territory since
1961. Today it is a major tourist attraction with its small
town ambience on high hills, delicious native Chinese dishes
and small hotels and guesthouses catering to visitors. During
December - February, the hills are alive with pinkish Sakuras.
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Wat Phra That Doi Tung is situated on top of Doi
Tung Mountain, the highest mountain in Chiang Rai Province with an
elevation of approximately 2,000 meters, about 50 kilometers south of
Mae Sai town which is near the Myanmar border. The temple can be
reached via a 40-kilometer mountain road which meanders along the
mountainside. The journey is worthwhile as the panoramic views into
Laos and Myanmar at the peak are spectacular.
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is located in
the Muang District on the intersection leading to Mae Chan.
Originally, King Mengrai was the ruler of Nakhon Hiran Ngoen
Yang (an ancient town on the bank of the Mae Khong around
Chiang Saen) before Chiang Rai was established as the administrative
centre in 1262. He consolidated his power by merging the
different city-states in the North and founded the Lanna
Thai Kingdom in 1296 with Chiang Mai as the capital.
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Another viewing
point is Phu Chi Fa which is some 25 kilometres south
of Doi Pha Tang in Toeng district. Visitors can stay overnight
at Ban Rom Fa Thong and Ban Rom Fa Thai. From here a trail
leads up to the viewing point on top of the hill, a distance
of 1.8 kilometres. From the sheer cliff of Phu Chi Fa can
be seen spectacular scenes, especially the sea of mist at
sunrise. The cool climate produces colourful flowering shrubs
of various species.
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located on Doi Chom
Thong on the bank of the Kok River within Muang district,
contains what is believed to be the oldest Holy Relic even
before King Mengrai built Chiang Rai. A major religious
site in Chiang Rai, it was from here that King Mengrai spotted
the strategic location on which to establish the town. The
Chedi containing the Holy Relic was probably renovated at
the same time the town was being built.
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Situated on Trairat Road in town centre, Wat Phra Kaew
was where one of Thailand's most important Buddha statues
was discovered in 1444. The statue had been moved by various
state rulers to be placed in their respective capitals as
a symbol of dominance, including Lampang, Chiang Rai and
Vientiane before finally being enshrined in Bangkok's Wat
Phra Kaew during the reign of King Rama l of the Rattanakosin
Period. The temple also houses a 700 years old bronze statue,
Phra Chao Lan Thong, which is housed in the Chiang Saen-style
Ubosot.
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Wat Phra Sing is located near the townhall used to house a major Buddha
statue, the Phra Buddha Sihing which is now enshrined in Chiang Mai. A
special feature is the Lanna-style Ubosot and the wooden door panels
carved by Chiang Rai contemporary craftsmen. Tel: 0 5374 5038on Singhaklai Road near the townhall
used to house a major Buddha statue, the Phra Buddha Sihing
which is now enshrined in Chiang Mai. A special feature
is the Lanna-style Ubosot and the wooden door panels carved
by Chiang Rai contemporary craftsmen.
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Mae Chan, which is about 29 kilometers to the north
of Chiang Rai, serves as a trading post where the Akha and Yao hill
people sell their goods and buy manufactured items. Silver and other
tribal handicrafts are available at local shops.
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Oub Kham Museum is located near Den Ha market, one kilometer from the
town center. The collection includes objects from the areas once
belonging to or affiliated with the Lanna kingdoms encompassing
northern Thailand and some parts of northeast Myanmar, southwest China
and Vietnam.
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Rai Mae Fah Luang is a cultural centre and centre of Lanna Studies dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Lanna heritage.
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Wat Doi Thong (Phra That Chomthong) sits atop a
hill above the northwest side of town, up a steep staircase off
Kaisornrasit Road. This location where King Mengrai is believed to have
chosen the site for his new Lanna Capital offers an overview of the
town and a panorama of the Mae Kok Valley. The chedi of Wat Doi Tong
containing what is believed to be the oldest Holy Relic was probably
renovated at the same time that the town as being built. The circle of
columns at the top of the hill surrounds the city's new lak muang (city
pillar), built to commemorate the 725th anniversary of the city and
King Bhumibhol's 60th birthday.
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Doi Pha Mon is located at Amphoe Thoeng. During the winter months
visitors are treated to splendid flower bed s of tulips, lilies, red
salvia, poinsettias, etc. To get to Doi Pha Mon from the city, go along
Highway No. 1020, then take Highway No. 1155. The journey takes
approximately 2.5 hours.
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The Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Center in Mae Fah Luang
University. This was established through the cooperation of Mae Fa
Luang University and the People’s Republic of China. The center was
built as a memorial to honor Her Royal Highness Princess grandmother’s
100th birthday as a symbol of friendship between the two nations.
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The Hall of Opium at the Golden Triangle Park
houses several sections to be explored and various exhibitions to be
contemplated. For example, the 5,600 square-meter Hall of Opium
presents An Invitation to the Mysterious World of Opium from Darkness
to Light, the history of opium as of 5,000 years ago from its natural
properties to its uses. It traces opium's global journey through trade
routes in the age of imperialism, culminating in the Opium Wars-an
event that disgraced both winners and losers that led to the fall of
the Manchu Dynasty. It also features Siamese wisdom in confronting the
West and the eventual control of opium problems.
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Doi Luang National Park is 65 kilometers south of
Chiang Rai town and covers an area of 1,170 square kilometers in Phan
District. Apart from hiking trails, the forested park features a few
waterfalls of which the largest is Pu Kaeng Waterfall. This impressive
fall has nine leaps and flows all year round. To reach Pu Kaeng
Waterfall drive along the Chiang Rai-Phayao route for 58 kilometers to
arrive at Ban Pu Kaeng. At kilometer 77, take a right turn and proceed
on for another 9 kilometers. It is a large waterfall amid virgin jungle
with water cascading down limestone brooks. Camping areas and jungle
trekking services are available.
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at Tambon Mae Chedi Mai of Wiang Pa Pao
district can be reached by taking the Chiang Mai - Chiang
Rai route ( Highway No.
1188). The park headquarters is right next to the highway
at Kms. 55-56. Visitors wishing to undertake a jungle trek
and camp within the park need to have the services of a
guide and prepare their own camping equipment. The trek
through the Khun Chae jungle is for adventure travel enthusiasts
as the route passes through steep terrain and several hilltops
and cliffs over 1,400 metres height. There are good viewing
points and trekkers can enjoy waterfalls, flowing streams
and virgin jungle areas lush with plant life.
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or hot spring, located at Tambon Mae Chedi Mai on the Chiang
Rai-Chiang Mai road at Kms. 64-65, is found next to a stream.
Villagers sell eggs to tourists to boil in the hot spring.
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Situated not far away from Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is Wat Sangkha Kaeo Don Han where sketches on brick slabs tell stories about the various reincarnations of the Lord Buddha.
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is a community about 16 kilometres from the district office
of Wiang Pa Pao. Here have been found remains of ancient
furnaces used to make terra cotta utensils. The furnaces
are shaped like turtleshell of various sizes with a width
of 2 to 5 metres.
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is the site of Doi Luang National Park's headquarters located
in Phan district. To reach it, go on the Chiang Rai-Phayao
route for 58 kilometres to arrive at Bang Pu Kaeng. At Km.
77, take amid virgin jungle with water cascading down limestone
brooks. There are camping area and jungle trekking services.
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located in Wiang Kaen district some 160 kilometres from
the provincial town, is a viewing point on top of a high
cliff over the Thai-Laotian border affording a delightful
scene of the river and the sea of mist throughout the year.
During December-January, blooming Sakuras provide a picturesque
scenery. It is home to the Chinese Haw, the Hmong and Yao
minorities. The Haws are the remnants of the 93rd Chinese
Division who moved in to settle on Doi Pha Tang.
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is a small, peaceful district on the bank of the Mae Khong
opposite Muang Huai of Laos. lt is about 115 kilometres
from the provincial seat, or some 55 kilometres from Chiang
Saen on Highway No. 1129 to the east. Chiang Khong is noted
as the place where Pla Buk, the giant catfish, are caught.
The fishing season is from mid-January to May. The Chiang
Khong Fishery Station is able to inseminate and breed this
largest fresh-water fish in the world. Fingerlings bred
here have been released in several rivers. Sight-seeing
trips by boat are available to view the scenery and life
along the Mae Khong. A stop can be made at Ban Hat Bai,
a Thai lu community noted for making beautiful local material.
To crossover the Muang Huai Sai in Laos, contact the immigration
office at Chiang Khong.
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About 4 kilometres
from Chiang Saen on the road to Chiang Khong is Phra
That Pha Ngao. There is a bell shaped Chedi standing
on large boulders. Nearby is a Wihan where several old Chiang
Saen-style Buddha statues are enshrined. There is also a
viewing point to enjoy scenery of the Mae Khong and of Chiang
Saen itself.
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is located on the hill just before the Golden
Triangle and is believed to have been built by a king of
Wiang Hirannakhon Ngoen Yang in mid-8th century. Remains
of antiquities still visible today are only the Wihan and
crumbled Chedis.
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is a large natural reservoir with scenic surroundings.
Large flocks of waterfowls immigrate to the site during
winter. About five kilometres from the distract town on
the Chiang Saen-mae Chan route is a left turn. Proceed on
for another 2 kilometres to reach the site.
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There are also
several ancient sites outside the city wall including Wat
Phra That Chom Kitti, about 1.7 kilometres from town,
and Wat Sangkha Kaeo Don Han where sketches on brick slabs
tell stories about the various lives of the Lord Buddha.
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