Joanna James
The northern Thailand city Chiang Rai is where you can attempt artistic but quirky things. The city is flanked by Laos and Myanmar which is the ideal base for many adventurous activities.
Often called the Black Temple, the Black House is a bunch of wooden houses featuring artworks by contemporary Thai artists – you will see that the most celebrated artist is Thawan Duchanee. There are buildings scattered around which you may find to be a little bizarre.
Wat Rong Khun is one of the main attractions in Chiang Rai. The temple is a surreal white and modern too with an eccentric appeal to it.
Rong Suea Ten or the Blue Temple features some exemplary murals that you will find appealing. The brilliant architectural masterpiece is visited by many and especially if this is your first visit, the Blue Temple is a must-see.
Like every other region in Thailand, Chiang Rai is packed with street food vendors. If you are hungry, and your food budget is not what you'd like it to be – as much as you'd like to dine at one of the Chiang Rai hotels, the likes of Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort for instance – you can simply head over to one of these stalls and taste popular Thai rice noodles and the coconut milk dessert with rice balls and eggs.
For the best but the cheapest retail therapy, visit the night markets which are prevalent in the city just like any other Thai city. There are masses of street vendors with stacks of products on offer. Night markets are the best place for you to buy hand-crafted items, souvenirs and small gift items.
Between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai is Mae Khachan Hot Springs. You can soak your tired feet in the water or lower a basket of eggs to get them cooked So, don't forget to make a stop here if you are travelling between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
About a century ago, many hill tribes migrated to Northern Thailand from China. Today you can see mud covered houses dotted around the area which is the primary attraction in the region.
The garden stretches over a land space of 10 acres which is packed with trees and bushes that bear beautiful flowers. There are different forms of flowers that come up to 100 in number. In the evening, you can bring your partner with you for a nice evening stroll among the beautiful flora and fauna!
The mother of two Thai kings – though she wasn't a queen herself – used to live at the Doi Tung Royal Villa. During her time there, she was focused on social services, and as a result, she tried to rid the area of human trafficking and drug cartels. If you drop in at the villa which is built in the Swiss architectural style, you can witness her numerous projects aimed at the well-being of the society.
The beautiful surroundings of the park are what attract people. You can see rope bridges, zip lines and swings – take a walk 30 metres above ground among the treetops to fully take in the nature you are surrounded by.
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