Explore Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in 3 Days – Day 2
Day trip to Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle is highly recommended from Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai acts as a service city for the surrounding province, yet it has a magnificent temple to attract visitors. The Golden Triangle is the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, where you can board a boat and without any visa hassles, you can visit Don Sao island of Laos. Also, in addition, you can visit many hill tribe villages.
Highlights of the Day
- Visit Mae Khajan Hot Springs
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) at Chiang Rai
- Visit Hill-Tribe Villages of Yao, Akha, and Karen Long-Neck
- Have Lunch
- Visit Golden Triangle
- Boat trip on the Mekong to Laos Island (option)
- Visit Border Market at Mae Sai
- Stroll at Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market
Early Pick Up
Same like yesterday, I had to pick up some fast breakfast from 7/11 convenient store as the aircon minibus from the tour operator came to the hostel lobby at around 7 AM to pick me up. Organized tours make more sense when you are alone as you tend to miss many offbeat places that the group tour takes you to if you avail for public transport.
Mae Khajan Hot Springs
We reached Mae Khajan Hot Springs in one and half hour since the start of the journey.
There are many hot springs in northern Thailand, but this particular hot spring comes on the way to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, so we took a beverage-stop here.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) – Chiang Rai
In another one and half hour away from Mae Khajan Hot Springs, we reached the magnificent temple of Chiang Rai province. Locally it is called Wat Rong Khun, and the English name is White Temple.
It is the best temple I have visited till date in Thailand. Nevertheless, it is one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand.
The temple is designed by a Chiang Rai-born artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, by his own fund. The work has started since 20th century and is still going on, and his wish is the work should be continued by his sons after his demise.
Yao-Akha-Karen Long Neck Hill-Tribe Village
Many hill-tribe people have migrated south from China into Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Laos, over 100 years ago.
Farming is their main profession. In Thailand, the Royal Project helps them to learn modern techniques of agriculture and thus alleviate poverty.
The major tribes are the Hmong (Meo), the Karen (Kariang, Yang), the Yao (Mien), the Akha (Ekaw), the Lahu (Mussur), and the Lisu (Lisaw).
I visited a Hmong hill-tribe village yesterday while visiting Doi Inthanon National Park, but today I visited three types of hill-tribes: the Yao, the Akha, and the Karen long-neck.
Buffet Lunch
Lunch was buffet and included a variety of foods from three types of cuisine from the countries that form the confluence at the Golden Triangle – Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.
Golden Triangle
At late afternoon post lunch, we reached the Golden Triangle where I could see the the meeting points of Thailand, Burma and Loas.
You have to show your original passport if you wish to board the boat on the Mekong River to the Laos island of Don Sao.
I showed my original passport, and got a stamp that looked similar to a visa on a separate paper that allowed me to enter the island of Laos.
The journey on the longtail boat over the river was very scenic. On the way checked the point where the Mekong rivers flowing from the three countries meet at the confluence point.
Mekong river used to act as an important media for transferring opium from China to the south-east Asian countries.
You can still visit the museum of opium located at the Golden Triangle, but we did not stop for that – in fact, it was not a part of the tour.
Don Sao Island, Laos
This is a small island that belongs to Laos. It is basically an island for shopping of local products, which you can bring to Thailand without any customs duty concern.
The product that surprised me the most was the alcohol with preserved dead animal in them – certainly unethical!
Dead snakes, geckos, scorpions, and turtles in alcoholic beverage are known to bring boosted sexual performance, good health, good looks, and good luck, respectively.
Border Market at Mae Sai
The northern-most point of Chiang Rai province is Mae Sai, where lies the Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Myanmar, hence you will find immigration checkpoint.
There is a bustling open-air market near the immigration checkpoint on both sides of the road, displaying different types of products from China and Myanmar.
Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market
The tour ended at nearby 8 PM and I opted to get dropped at Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market instead of hostel, so I can stroll by and have dinner before getting back.
Dinner and Bed
Dinner was simple street food from the Sunday night market. I loved the pad thai with vegetables – one of my favorite street foods of Thailand. Finally, I walked back to hostel, which was within a km from the market.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 1 in Thailand – Chiang Rai.
- Day-trip to Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle: 2500
- Food: 180
- Miscellaneous: 80
Total expense (roughly): 2760 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Explore Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in 3 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Lovely …can’t wait for the next article.
Hi Sreyasi, keep following, would post more soon! There are loads of experiences piled up now!
The beauty of the temple is just hard to believe,. Everytime i see pictures I want to see it with my own eyes. Your post is as usual very detailed and loaded with stunning pictures. Most beautiful toilet in Asia!! that’s a new info but looking at this picture, i totally believe it.
Yes Sinjana, South East Asia has all these weird things, haha!
Thanks for the information. We will be in Chiang Mai in April for a while so this article is timely. Not sure I want to see or taste or even buy a bottle of alcohol with something dead in it. The tour is exactly the one that we would like to do.
Glad to know that it is helpful.
I took this trip a couple of years ago and had an amazing time. I actually cycled to the border. Thank you for this virtual tour, it brought back so many nice memories.
Nice to know that you were there.
I’m gutted I didn’t make it to the white temple when I was in Chiang Rai. It’s incredible, and I can understand why it’s a popular attraction. The Golden Circle is very cool too, seeing it’s the meeting point of 3 countries. Talk about killing 3 birds with one stone!
Oh never mind, next time!
That temple… amazing!!! I don’t think I have ever seen anything like that. So beautiful! I have read a lot about Chiang Mai and Chian Rai, and based on what I have read, and also what you wrote there is a lot to see and do. I definitely want to visit someday. The market looks very interesting. It is good to knowledgable guide who can tell you all the practises and local ways to do things.
Yes Paula, the north of Thailand is really pretty.
I always find local traditions so intriguing. I have seen images of the long neck tribe and heard of their tradition of adding a ring each year of their life. Do they ever stop adding rings? I imagine they wouldn’t be able to fit 67 rings on their neck when they reach that age!
I think they stop putting after a certain age, I guess after menopause.
The white temple looks like in the fairy tale! It looks so decent and beautiful. The animals in the bottles make me scary. I would have chance to break the animal laws…
The animals in bottles were really sick.
Chiang Rai is one of my favorite towns in Thailand and I’m glad to hear you made it there. When I visited, the main reason was to see Wat Rong Khun and even though its architecture is mesmerizing, it’s not a temple. I was quite sad when I found out it’s actually a privately-owned art exhibit and as such one of the biggest tourist traps in the area 🙂 Anyway, I’m glad to see you had some nice time in Chiang Rai and experienced the best this city has to offer.
Oh yes, Daniel.
That White temple is just so breathtaking! I have read many posts now about Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, that I know that I have to got there someday. The sooner the better. And other places in Thailand too. I would also enjoy the market places there like you did.
Yes Paula, you must visit Thailand soon.
Thailand is one of my favorite countries to travel within and this white temple truly looks beautiful. The architecture is breathtaking and I will keep this place in mind for my upcoming trips. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post!
Thanks for appreciation.
I have heard and read so much about Golden Triangle of this Far East, that I really want to make a trip now. It is great that you have clearly stated all places to visit with all useful details like eating and staying. White Temple is really photogenic and I would click thousands of pictures here. Good to know that they have autobot to pose with. Meeting with Hill tribe people would also be great thing to mix with local culture.
Glad to know that you found it useful.
I think the Golden Triangle is so undeniably beautiful, especially the White Temple. It’s so regal and full of intricate details. I’m not sure how long it took to construct the temple, but it was definitely worth it. I love that you also ventured to Laos and spent some time there. it sounds like this was a relatively affordable weekend trip.
It was, yes.
Chiang Mai amazes me with its architectural brilliance. The white Thai architecture is something else. This is such a detailed post. I have all the reasons to visit Thailand again. Chiang Mai is high on my list now. Thanks for this helpful post.
Northern Thailand architecture is marvelous.
I missed out on Chiang Rai. Like you said, I would have gone crazy taking in the various architectural pics of the White Temple. It looks so gorgeous. Loved your cultural visit to the tribes. The long neck village has been on my list for long. Just want to hear the tales myself.
Visiting locals is really an important way to mix with the culture.