The quieter neighbor of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a land of
outstanding natural beauty, where visitors looking to avoid the
hordes can visit remote hill tribes, spot exotic wildlife, and check
out the golden triangle, the former center of the world’s opium trade.
Chiang Rai has been inhabited since the 7th century, but it was
not until 1262 that King Meng Rai established it as the first capital of
the Lanna Kingdom. The capital was later relocated to Chiang Mai and
since that time Chiang Rai has lived in the shadow of its neighboring
province, though for tourists this is a good thing.
Today, Chiang Rai is a traveler’s paradise, endowed with abundant
natural attractions and antiquities. Attractions range from ruins of
ancient settlements and Buddhist shrines to magnificent mountain scenery
and hill tribe villages. For those interested in the natural side of
Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is a magical experience; explore the mountains
of the north along various hiking trails, many of which access the villages of
diverse hill tribes groups, many of whom maintain their traditional lifestyles.
Chiang Rai town, which tends to be a little more ‘laid back’ than its
more popular neighbor, now competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist
attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for tourists wanting
to leave their troubles behind.
Chiang Rai, the former capital of the great Lanna Kingdom,
is a fascinating province filled with cultural and natural wonders,
including the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos, and Burma come
together; an area that was once the hub of opium production,
a trade that had much influence on cultural practices and lifestyles.
Chiang Rai had stayed off the tourist radar for many years, its people
enjoying very leisurely development and mostly traditional, rural lifestyles.
Until this day, entire clans live together in bamboo houses and each village
has its own individual character.
Recently tourism has boomed in Chiang Rai, where visitors have come
to explore the pristine natural beauty of the countryside and immerse
themselves in the indigenous culture, including those of a variety of different
hill tribe communities. Fortunately for tourists, Chiang Rai is also a center for
community development projects, helping rural villagers develop their
attractions without adversely affecting their natural and cultural assets.
Credit:: Amazing Thailand
