Getting To Know Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Seur Ten

When it comes to popular destinations in northern Thailand, Chiang Rai is surely among the top spots for tourist attractions. Called “the land of mountains,” Chiang Rai is surrounded by nature but it also has a perfect combination of its ancient Lanna Culture and contemporary lifestyle. If you are searching for a place to slow down, and allow your body and soul to rest, then get your bags packed and head to Chiang Rai!

In this Trip, we’ll take you to experience this region’s myriad attractions – from Tourist Attractions in and out of the town and delicious Foods at Chiang Rai’s best Restaurants to flea market Shopping that will blow your mind and learning how to make mulberry paper in the traditional Lanna style.

Not only will you enjoy a huge wave of happiness during this trip but you’ll collect so many pictures that you won’t even be able to share them all on social media!

1. Wat Rong Seur Ten

When talking about landmarks in Chiang Rai, many think about Ban Dum (the “Black House”) or Wat Rong Khun (the “White Temple”). But there is another fascinating temple where the architecture is just as outstanding as the others. Wat Rong Seur Ten is often called the “Blue Temple” due to its various shades of blue contrasting with the golden main hall. The gold temple shines while the blue colour, like the colour of the sky, represents the dharma (truthful teachings) of the Buddha. The naga serpents at the front of the main hall are quite beautiful too with the ability to appear terrifying but still delicate with Lanna style features.

Besides the main hall, there is also a hall with five 20-metre-high Chula manee relics. If you come to Chiang Rai, do not miss a chance to see the beauty of Wat Rong Seur Ten. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

2. Choui Fong Tea Plantation

Choui Fong Tea Plantation

This long-established 500-rai tea plantation located 1,200 metres above sea level and surrounded by nature and mountain ranges is one of the most famous landmarks in Chiang Rai. Many tourists, both Thais and foreigners, love witnessing the beauty of this terraced tea field in the high mountains. Everyone’s favourite activity here is taking their cameras and walking through the tea field to capture some stunning photos then upload them on social media to the envy of their friends and family. Many spots have been set up for tourists to take awesome shots, such as a bridge that goes into the tea field, a spot where you can see the curve of the tea plantation from a bird's-eye view, and places where you can act like you are harvesting the tea. If you really want to learn the true harvesting techniques, we recommend coming a bit early in the morning. You will see senior workers harvesting the fresh tea buds to produce high-quality tea. travelling to Choui Fong Tea Plantation is easy as it is not too far from the town of Chiang Rai and only takes 40 minutes Driving.

3. Choui Fong Tea Café

Choui Fong Tea Café

At Choui Fong tea Plantation, there is a café and Restaurant for tourists to enjoy a selection of many dishes featuring different types of tea leaves. There are also a lot of drinks available, such as oolong tea with honey and lemon, matcha green tea with red bean, or fragrant hot tea. The tea pairs perfectly with various desserts, like green tea cake, coconut cake, green tea jam roll, and green tea cheesecake. The must-try dish, however, is the green tea crepe cake served with a rich green tea sauce that is not too sweet. Each layer of the cake is very intense and melts in your mouth. We guarantee that whoever tastes this cake will love it. Things tastes even better considering you can enjoy the dishes and desserts while looking at the view of the tea fields. There’s nothing better than this! If you want to find some Souvenirs for your loved ones, there are many types of tea with different scents and yummy snacks. You can also taste the tea before deciding which one to buy and the staff will demonstrate how to prepare it.

Apart from the impressive drinks and desserts, the café’s architecture also makes an impression, blending in with its natural landscape. You can walk up to the roof of the café for a 360-degree view of the tea field. The spot doesn’t only offer a nice view but is a good place to get some great pictures complete with a cooling breeze.

 

4. Doi Pamee (Pamee Village)

Doi Pamee (Pamee Village)

Let’s move on to another very attractive and fascinating place, Doi Pamee. It is a tiny Village located 1,400 metres above sea level on Nang Non mountain in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district. This area is famous in Thailand for its Arabica coffee bean plantations. The people who live here are from the Akha tribe. The village used to be a spot along the Golden Triangle’s infamous drug route and grew opium, but His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej guided the Locals to preserve the forest and work legally by stopping planting opium and planting coffee beans instead.

Nowadays, Pamee Village sees many tourists visiting as it has magnificent natural mountain views and delightfully Cool weather throughout the year. There are also a lot of HomeStays and Restaurants or cafés for tourists to sip warm flavourful coffee in the beautiful mountains. One of the restaurants that we would love to recommend you visit while at Doi Pamee is Suan Khun Phoo Life museum. It’s a new restaurant that is very popular at the moment with an extraordinary view, delicious drinks, and reasonably priced Food. You can bring your work to do here all day long or just sit and relax. Furthermore, it is about to open as a hotel and tent area for those who want to be out in nature all day.

5. The Emerald Pool Tham Luang

The Emerald Pool Tham Luang

Not far from Pha Mee Village, there is another tourist attraction that has become very famous after the rescue of the junior football team that was trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non Cave last year. The Emerald Pool is in Tham Luang Forest Park. It was once just a tiny stream, but after the cave rescuers opened Sai Thong’s gate to pump out the water from Tham Luang cave, the tiny stream has become an Emerald Pool that’s four metres deeper than before. The colour of the water in the pool is like an emerald thanks to calcium in the sand that helps make the water clear. Especially when the sun is bright, the rays can shine through the water and illuminate the bottom of the pool. The pool is decorated with stones leftover from opening the cave, which makes it look shady and beautiful. Here, everywhere you look is a beautiful spot to take photos, which is why it has quickly become a new Tourist Attraction in Chiang Rai.

Tham Luang Nang Non cave has not yet opened for tourists but you can take a walk around the area. There is a statue of Mr. Sam, the former Navy seaL in remembrance of his sacrifice in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave rescue operations last year.

*Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 Phetchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi, Bangkok 10400 Thailand