Tour Detail

CHIANG RAI - CHIANG RAI & GOLDEN TRIANGLE LUNCH INCLUDED - FULL DAY ON A PRIVATE BASIS (L.)

CHIANG RAI - CHIANG RAI & GOLDEN TRIANGLE LUNCH INCLUDED - FULL DAY ON A PRIVATE BASIS (L.).

Day 1

HIGHLIGHT:  White Temple, Golden Triangle, Wat Phra That Pu Khao, Opium Museum, Mae Sai, Ethnic Minority.
At 08:00 Meeting with the guide. Then we will begin to explore this northernmost province of Thailand with a visit to the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun. One of the many religious places in Chiang Rai. Originating from the great devotion of the famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kosipipat, the temple is dedicated to Lord Buddha with the intention of building an attainable paradise on earth that represents justice and the encouragement of good karma. Regarding the exceptional quality in art and extremely elaborate architecture, the consecrated assembly hall of Wat Rong Khun is unlike any other temple in terms of having both the apexes of the carved pediment and the tooth-shaped crests. The hall itself is mostly built in pure white, illustrative of the purity of the Buddha. The sparkling clear mirror glass serves as the wisdom of the Awakened that shines upon the earth and the universe. Along with these elements, there are sophisticated murals by Chalermchai himself that shouldn't be missed.
The exploration of this province, the northernmost in Thailand, continues with the famous Golden Triangle, the point where the borders of Myanmar (ancient Burma), Thailand and Laos meet. It is located 9 kilometers north of Chiang Saen along the road along the Mekong River. Sop Ruak is the place where the Mekong River (border with Laos) meets the Ruak River (border with Burma). In the past, the Golden Triangle was the world's leading source of drug trafficking due to its prime location, linked to opiate-producing countries. Today it is a popular tourist attraction.
The visit includes Wat Phra That Pu Khao which offers a wonderful view of the Golden Triangle, the Mekong River and the forested mountains. Two large, multi-headed Naga snakes at the bottom of the staircase protect the temple. We continue with the Opium Museum, often confused with the opium room, the House of Opium or the Opium House is made up of numerous antiques related to the Golden Triangle of Chiang Rai. The opium trade was introduced by hill tribes who had emigrated from neighboring countries. The trade has been officially banned now and the government is promoting the growth of alternative crops. House of Opium tools of interest include opium tubes, knives, opium boxes, weights and scales, pillows and mats. Apart from these you can also see the delicious poppy flowers which are the main source of opium production. The museum exhibits and educates visitors on the production of opium and its use in the life of the tribal peoples of the hills, from the visit we can learn a lot about the history of opium since it developed in this notorious location.
Lunch is served in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon visit of Mae Sai, a border town, with a large market located along the border with Myanmar (ex Burma), where you can find really everything. Among the customers, the street vendors, the scooters of merchants who carry or move some stock and even the cars in its main thoroughfare, it is a very lively place. Of course, among the countless products that can be found, there are some of poor quality (which, however, are worth their very cheap price). But the visit is worth above all for its unique atmosphere. On our way to the hotel, we stop to visit the Yao and Akha ethnic minorities, based in the Mae Chan district.
Return to the hotel in Chiang Rai at approximately 17: 30-18: 00