Wat Rong Khun “White Temple” of Chiang Rai – The famous artist Chalermchai Kositpipat created this beautiful piece of art. He was even walking around over seeing the construction as it’s not finish yet. This October they will be charging people 50bat so I was quite lucky to get into before they put a admission fee but I did make a donation as thats how they have been trying to finish this amazing site.
Baan Dam “Black House” is a unusual place to visit and the work was created by Chian Rai born Thai artist Thawan Duchanee who had developed a style of work representing the darkness in humanity. So many animal skins, bones and horns, the place felt a bit weird but their where a few cool things like this house shown below:
The Long Neck Village was a bit sad as it felt it was like a zoo for people because it wasn’t a ‘real village’. Unfortunately I didn’t know this until I got there and they basically created this village to show tourist, like myself the different kinds of traditions. During my time here I didn’t take any photos or videos as I felt really uncomfortable doing this even though I paid 300bat, which was expensive.
The Monkey Cave was interesting as it was raining and most of the monkeys where in the forest (for shelter). But that didn’t stop a few plus their was a temple there too.
Mae Sai was the next stop which is a town bordering Thailand and Myanmar. We looking around the markets which were a mix of Thai & Myanmar food plus other products.
Golden Triangle amazing, seeing all three countries was just breathtaking. I also didn’t know that it was renown for opium and heroin production during the Vietnam War.
Chiang Saen is an ancient town of the Lana Kingdom which is in the same region as the Golden Triangle. Wat Chedi Luang is a bell shaped stupa which is the largest stupa in this city. It was built in 1344AD by the Kind of the Mang Rai Dynasty which was containing a piece of sternum of Buddha.
Singha Park (formally Boonrawd Farm) looked like a golf course at first and it didn’t have sign just the big logo statue. I went on a tour of the park, which was not in english but the lady handed me an english info sheet outlining everything for me.
On my first stop I got to see quite a few plantations, Oolong Tea, Rubber Tree, Raspberry Fields.
Second stop was a zoo filled with Zebras, baby Giraffes, these colourful birds and Watusi Cows.
Third stop was a recreational center and they use these big fields for hot ballooning plus the have ziplining & rock climbing.
At my hostel we got the chance to make the famous Thai Dessert called Bua Loi. It was full of sugar and love. Palm sugar and fresh coconut was mostly used.
Every night at the clock tower in the city, which is also created by Chalermchai Kositpipat (White Temple artist) would light up accompany thai music and it’s a must to do if you go to Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai is a must and staying a couple of days like I did was well worth it!!
Ninja AMaC