Muang Boran, translated "Ancient City", is a museum park in Thailand located in Samut Prakan, just outside of Bangkok. This is not an amusement park, but instead is a real-life open-air museum where the most famous monuments of the country are replicated.
Thailand: Chiang Rai – 10 Things to do
Chiang Rai is a city in northern Thailand, in the mountainous province of the same name. The city is near the borders of Laos and Myanmar (formerly Burma).
We visited Chiang Rai on our way from Chiang Mai to the border with Laos to catch a boat to Luang Prabang. We planned to spend a couple of nights in the city which is much smaller and less touristy than its larger neighbour.
There are several interesting things to explore in the area, including the famous White Temple and these can be done in a day. We decided to join a group tour – and there are many to choose from – which gave us the chance to check out the main sights.
We hadn’t planned it to spend the weekend in the city, but we were glad we were there for the Saturday night ‘Walking Street’ market which was surprisingly large with some great street food. Worth going to if you are there on a Saturday night.
Below is a list of ten things to consider visiting if you come to Chiang Rai.
CONTENTS
1. White Temple – Wat Rong Khun
2. Blue Temple – Wat Rong Suea Ten
3. Black House (Baan Dam) Museum
4. Golden Triangle Park
5. House of Opium
6. Golden Buddha – Phra Chiang Saen Sii Pandi
7. Wat Pa Sak
8. Walking Street
9. 75 Anniversary and Flag Park
10. Visit a tea plantation
11. Best time to visit
12. Where to stay
1. THE WHITE TEMPLE – WAT RONG KHUN
Wat Rong Khun, better known as “the White Temple”, is one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai visual artist. To date the temple is not finished. Eventually there will be nine buildings.
2. BLUE TEMPLE – WAT RONG SUEA TEN
The Blue Temple is immediately recognizable for its brilliant shade of rich sapphire. The temple walls, roof, and surrounding statues are all covered in this gorgeous hue, an unusual decorative choice in a country where most temples are made of gold.
3. BLACK HOUSE (BAAN DAM) MUSEUM
Often referred to as the “Black Temple”, this building is not really a temple at all. It’s actually more like an art museum and studio. Its construction is a blend of traditional Thai architecture with a contemporary and unorthodox flair.
4. GOLDEN TRIANGLE PARK
Not too far from the small Northern town of Mae Sai is a small area known as the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. Just 9km north of the small town of Chiang Saen, the Golden Triangle Park is a viewpoint where you can look down on the confluence of the two rivers and stare across into Myanmar and Laos (where we will be headed tomorrow). The view was spoilt by the smoky conditions, but it was still nice to have come here. Just above the viewpoint, there is a small Buddhist temple.
5. THE HOUSE OF OPIUM
Along with Afghanistan in the Golden Crescent, it has been one of the largest opium-producing areas of the world since the 1950s. Most of the world’s heroin came from the Golden Triangle until the early 21st century when Afghanistan became the world’s largest producer. The majority of the region’s opium is now produced in Myanmar and, to a lesser extent, Laos. The Thai government has cracked down heavily on the production of opium and encouraged the hill tribes to grow coffee instead. The Opium Museum, or to give its correct name, The House of Opium, was founded by a local woman with a passion for collecting opium paraphernalia, she turned her extensive collection into a museum when the crackdown on the drug trade made these items hard to find. Come here to see countless tools for planting, harvesting, and consuming opium, including pipes, scales, and scrapers.
6. PHRA CHIANG SAEN SII PANDIN – GOLDEN BUDDHA
Phra Chiang Saen Sii Pandin, is a gigantic golden Buddha image seated on a platform shaped like a boat. The boat is perhaps even more dazzling than the Buddha statue itself. Ornately decorated with colourful stained glass, the huge boat sits right on the very edge of the river, glistening proudly in the sun. On the helm of the boat was another Buddha image, this time the smiling “Happy” or “Chinese” Buddha.
Hotei or Pu-Tai is better known as the Laughing Buddha. The person in the laughing Buddha images and statues is ‘Budai,’ an eccentric Zen monk from China who is thought to have lived around 907 to 923 AD during the later Liang dynasty. He was a man of a good and loving character, and some Buddhist traditions considered him the ‘Bodhisattva Maitreya’ or the future Buddha. He was pot-bellied, bald, and had a jolly smile on his face all the time, which earned him the name “laughing Buddha.” People for a long time have believed that rubbing the belly of the statue will bring them good luck, health, wealth, and prosperity.
7. WAT PA SAK
Our final stop was just outside Chiang Saen, a few kilometres from the Golden Triangle Park. Built in 1295, Wat Pa Sak, used to be the residence of King Saen Phu. He ordered three hundred teak trees to be planted hence the name Pa Sak (Teak Forest). With ornamental stucco motifs, the temple’s chedi, which is 12.5 metres tall with a base of 8 metres wide, is regarded as being one of the most beautiful examples of Lanna architecture in northern Thailand.
When we arrived here it was getting close to 1the end of the day and the sun was going down, which made for some lovely photos.
8. WALKING STREET
Chiang Rai Walking Street is open every Saturday, from 16:00-24:00. It takes place on Thanalai Street in the middle of Chiang Rai downtown, from the intersection of Tobacco Office to the intersection of Government Savings Bank.
There are 3 different zones of the walking street. The first zone is OTOP zone, which you can purchase quality goods like products from royal projects, some communities or ethnic groups. The second zone is handicraft zone, which you will find many pieces of valuable and stunning handicrafts done by villagers. Moreover, there are still traditional massage services for tourists. You will learn a lot about local intellect from this zone. And, the final zone is the exhibition and souvenir zone, where you can get something for your friends and family.
9. 75 ANNIVERSARY & FLAG PARK
located in the centre of Chiang Rai, this park is full of lights and mannequins dressed in beautiful clothes, creating a magical atmosphere. It is a bit cheesy, but a lot of fun. Each year there is a different theme and the mannequins adopt a new persona!
One of the highlights of the park is the annual flower festival. This magnificent event transforms the park into a blooming botanical garden, with pathways of astroturf laid everywhere and gardens of potted flowers grouped into magnificent masses of colour and scent.
10. VISIT A TEA PLANTATION
Perched in the highlands near Chiang Rai, the Choui Fong Tea Plantation has been producing some of Thailand’s highest quality teas for decades. Benefitting from the rich soil and climate of the region, the plantation grows a variety of teas that are handpicked and then blended by tea specialists from Taiwan.
The best time to visit Chiang Rai
Marked by its geographical position in Northern Thailand, the climate in Chiang Rai resonates with the Koppen climate classification of Aw, also referred to as Tropical Wet and Dry or Savanna. The city experiences altering spells of wet and dry spells with a high temperature difference across the year. Monthly average day temperatures range from 27.2°C (81°F) in December to a peak of 34.8°C (94.6°F) in April.
Sharp fluctuations in precipitation levels can be observed over the course of the year. Substantial rainfall initiates in April, peaks during August with 358mm (14.09″) and finally ends around November. The annual dry period begins from December and extends until March, with significantly lower rainfall ranging from 8mm (0.31″) to 28mm (1.1″). These rainfall patterns hence divide the year into clear wet and dry seasons.
The best time to visit Chiang Rai
With regard to preferred weather conditions for visitor comfort, the best time to visit Chiang Rai may be from November to February. During these months, the city experiences a drier climate with an average rainfall between 14mm (0.55″) and 59mm (2.32″). Coupled with moderate temperatures that vary from a high of 27.2°C (81°F) to 30.5°C (86.9°F) and low of 13.5°C (56.3°F) to 21.1°C (70°F), these conditions are ideal for outdoor activities and exploration. With 7 hours of sunshine each day, visitors may fully experience the attractions and natural beauty this region offers.
The worst time to visit Chiang Rai
June to August proves to be the least desirable period to visit Chiang Rai owing to the high humidity levels, ranging from 80% to 84%, and increased rainfall, with an average monthly precipitation of 284mm (11.18″) to 358mm (14.09″). Moreover, temperatures during these months can rise up to 32.1°C (89.8°F). Clearly, the high likelihood of rainfall combined with the heated environment may deter outdoor activities and sightseeing expeditions.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
1. MID-RANGE – SLEEPY HOUSE CHIANG RAI
Just a 10-minute walk from Clock Tower Chiang Rai and 0.6 miles from Chiang Rai Saturday Night Walking Street, Sleepy House Chiang Rai features accommodations in Chiang Rai, with a garden. The property is around a 16-minute walk from Statue of King Mengrai, 0.9 miles from Wat Pra Sing, and 2.2 miles from Central Plaza. The bed and breakfast provides rooms with air conditioning, free private parking, and free Wifi.
The bed and breakfast offers a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hair dryer, free toiletries, and shower. For added convenience, the property can provide towels and linens for a supplement. The rooms are equipped with heating facilities.
2. LUXURY – MORA BOUTIQUE HOTEL
The Mora Boutique Hotel is a 4-star hotel located right in the center. It’s a very perfect location within walking distance to all the major attractions in Chiang Rai. For example, the famous Saturday Night Walking Street is just 300 meters from the property, the Hill Tribe Museum can be reached within a 5 minutes’ walk and the nightly Bazar is 7 minutes away.
The hotel ambience is completely relaxed and laid-back, and the beautiful Thai-style design, guarantees a feeling of well-being. So, after an exciting day of sightseeing this hotel is the perfect to unwind. If you like, you can treat yourself a massage in the beautiful spa area or enjoy delicious tea and cake at the free afternoon tea on the roof terrace.
3. BUDGET – BAAN JARU
Baan Jaru is located 1640 feet from Clock Tower. It offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and free public parking. The property is equipped with a tour desk and rental bicycles
The property is 2625 feet from Chiang Rai Saturday Night Walking Street.
More to Explore
