Below are the lists of attractions in Chiang Saen and Chiang Rai which are voted “Not-to-be-missed!” Travelers who interested in in-depth cultural experience should spend 5 days 4 at Chiang Saen River Hill Hotel as the base seeking for thorough information on the root of Thai History. For travelers who are constraint by the limited time and able to do only 3 days 2 nights for a brief coverage of the areas and travelers who spending only 2 days 1 night or traveler

You can also follow our trip planner for pre-packaged lists of attractions information

The Opium Hall (Museum)

A walk through the 5,600 sq-meter world-class exhibition area within the Hall of Opium highlights different aspects on the subject of "Opium". Every step of the way, the information presented through the dramatic use of state-of-the-art multimedia innovation is vivid and poignant. The use of engaging audio-visual presentations and interactive displays, coupled with dynamic spatial design, work together to enlighten and provoke thought.

How to get there : Just let our staff knows that you would like to visit the hall of museum, we will provide free transport to Chiang Saen Bus terminal and drop you to the right bus connection you to the museum (less than 10 minute bus ride)

Opening Hours :  08.30-16.00 hrs. daily except Monday and Tuesday

Admission fee  (per person) Thais : 200 baht | Foreigners : 300 baht
* Free for children under 12

Real travelers comment :

Official site of the attraction : www.maefahluang.org or call Hall of Opium : +66 (0) 5378 4444

Historical Attraction in Chiang Saen

1475 years ago…once with power and glory King Singhanuwat drove his armies south from Yunnan and settled at the site of present day Chiang Saen. Within one hundred years this fortified outpost had expanded dramatically to become the hub of a self-contained kingdom called Haevan Nakorn Ngern Yang Chiarburi Sri Chiang Saen. Though the time origins of this enormously old town are shrouded in the mists of time, it is certain that it predates the later and more influential cities of Chiangmai and Chiangrai. There were more than one hundred temples build over the years within the city wall. Below are the top 4! plus the information about the City Wall.

How to visit these sites : Best to rent our bicycle and spend a day visiting these attractions. Book with us online and get 6 hours bicycle rental for 1 person free!   

Around the City Wall
Like Chiang Mai, Chiang Saen has a city wall surrounding the historic town, but the fourth side of the “wall" is formed by the Mekong River. Strategically double layered 4.2 kilometers wall–canal–wall designed help protect the city over numerous attacks. The budget is implementing on the rebuild the wall to its near-original state. Ride bicycle along the wall imagine about the life back in the days should start your day great in Cahign Saen

Wat Phra That Pha Ngao วัดพระธาตุผาเงา
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao is situated on a dramatic hilltop that provides panoramic views of the Mekong river and the border of Laos. At the top of the hill is a large white chedi (Phra Boromathat Puttha Nimit Chedi), which is not architecturally significant as it was built in the 1980s. Further down the hillside is the temple's chief attraction--a large round boulder surmounted by a small chedi. This sits behind a restored viharn that contains the remnants of a stuccoed Buddha image, the Phor Pha Ngao, that was discovered in 1976 when the building was renovated

Wat Pasak วัดป่าสัก
Wat Pa Sak, 'The Teak Forest Monastery' owes its name to the teak trees which still stand along the perimeter of Chiang Saen's city walls, which are located just a few hundred meters from this monastery. Its principle item of interest is a brick and stucco chedi dating from around 1319 (some chronicles indicate 1295, but that is unlikely since it is earlier than the founding of Chiang Saen). The chedi enshrines a relic from Pataliputra in India. Stylistically, it is influenced by Mon design which favored stacked square tiers with standing Buddhas embedded in each tier. It also shows Sukhothai influence in the detail of stucco work that survives on one of the higher tiers.
Apart from the chedi, the ruins of an ubosot with several standing stone columns can be found in front of the chedi. There are also scattered stone foundations of indeterminate purpose in the fields surrounding the site.

Wat Phratart Chedi Luang วัดพระธาตุเจดีย์หลวง
Wat Phra That Chedi Luang stands largely in ruin. Only its 58 meter tall chedi, dating from 1331 and enlarged in 1515, remains in good condition. Nearby is a relatively recent viharn standing on the brick ruins of a much older structure

Wat Phra That Chom Kitti วัดพระธาตุจอมกิจติ
Wat Phra That Chom Kitti sits on the top of hill alongside Wat Chom Chaeng, which is of more recent vintage. The most notable structure of Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is its crooked chedi, which contains a fragment of the Buddha relic that was split into three and divided amongst thesee sites, Wat Phra That Doi Chom Tong in Chiang Rai, and Wat Phra That Doi Tung in Chiang Saen.

The Golden Triangle

Many tourist guidebook seems to set wrong expectation for travelers visiting Golden Triangle thinking they would see some wild-west seen where ppium is being trade for gold. That was few decades back. The area now is rather a touristy place where hill-tribes kids are waiting at the sign saying “The Golden Triangle” for tourist photograph, shops selling souvenirs, local café and tea houses. With right expectation the spot should complete your understanding of why the geography was famous for opium trading

How to get there : Just let our staff knows that you would like to visit the Golden Triangle, we will provide free transport to Chiang Saen Bus terminal and drop you to the right bus connection you to the museum (less than 10 minute bus ridee)

Ching Saen National Museum

Where knowledge can be sought concerning archaeology, settlements and history of the town. There are replicas of the community and scores of ancient relics including Lanna-style sculptures, Buddha statues and inscription stones from Phayao and Chiang Saen itself. In addition, there are exhibitions of indigenous art objects of the Thai Yai (ไทยใหญ่), Thai Lu (ไทยลื้อ) and other hilltribes. These items include musical instruments, ornaments, opium-smoking accessories, etc.

How to get there : Within walking distance, rent our bicycle or just ask for free drop-off to the museum

Opening Hours :  09.00-16.00 hrs., except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holiday

Admission fee  (per person) Thais: 30 bahtForeigners: 30 baht
* Free for children under 12

Boat ride along Me Kong river

Ride along Me Kong river on a long tail boat see the life of the Golden Triangle; Thai Myanmar and Laos. Taking the boat from Chiang Saen town to Golden triangle or a little village in Laos give you a great story to tell. Rate starts from 300 baht.

Wat Rong Khun

Magnificent temple by Thailand number 1 paint artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Different from any other temple in the world, represent lord Buddha’s purity, the temple and it’s surrounding premises are white in color and decorate by shaped cut reflections

Real travelers comment :

Doi Tung

Within 45 minutes drive from our hotel you will reach Doi -Tung. Many people have Called Doi Tung " Switzerland in Thailand ". This description seems true when viewing the crisp line of mountains of Chiang Rai in the cool winter season, or when the mist and clouds of the rainy season roll in above the verdant forest against a background of an ever-changing sky.

Visitors to Doi Tung can experience for themselves the natural beauty of the hills, and appreciate the efforts of the people of Doi Tung. They can see how people and forests can live together, while the people preserve the forests, the forests support the livelihood of the people.

How to get there : Just let our staff knows that you would like to visit the hall of museum, we will provide free transport to Chiang Saen Bus terminal and drop you to the right bus connection you to the museum (less than 10 minute bus ride)

Real travelers comment :

Mae Sai – Ta kie lek

Mae Sai is the northernmost district of Chiang Rai. The town of Mae Sai is a major border crossing to Ta-Kee-Lek in Myanmar.The border town is full of vendors selling different types of products from CDs DVDs to garments. It’s a good experience but if bargain shopping is not high in travel priority, this might disappoint you.

Phu Che Far

Best spot to take in the sunrise scenic in Chaing Rai. The forest park welcome large crowds every morning especially in the winter season which is around November to February of every year. Setting itself 1,68 meters above sea level, sunrise breaking up above layers of fog and clouds.

Real travelers comment :

Khun Korn waterfalls

The area of Khun Korn Waterfalls Botanical Garden is mainly a valley skirting by high and steep mountains and is also the originating point for Mae Korn River. Khun Korn Waterfalls Botanical Garden is located in the area of Tambon Mae Korn and Tambon Huay Chompoo, Muang District, Chiang Rai Province which falls within the left side of Pa Mae Lao and right side of Pa Mae Kok National Forest Reserves. The total area is approximately 1,000 rais and was announced, by the Royal Forest Department, as a botanical garden on 21st January, 1982.