THE BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CHIANG RAI

When you think of traveling to northern Thailand in most cases there is only one major protagonist: Chiang Mai. However, this does not mean that there are no other places in this part of the country that surprise the traveler. In fact, if time is available, we recommend staying several weeks swarming around here. There are rural villages / hippies like Pai, more remote places on the border with Myanmar, and larger cities such as Lampang or Chiang Rai that, although at first sight do not usually fall in love, hide a few interesting proposals. Our advice is as follows: do not leave Thailand without giving North a chance!

Today we are going to talk to you about Chiang Rai, the second most important city in northern Thailand, which houses some of the rarest treasures you'll find on your trip (insured!). Do you plan to go through Chiang Rai and do not know where to start? Don't worry: here you go 9 things to see and do in Chiang Rai (and be careful because at the end of the article we give you a lot of useful info to prepare the visit).

We all agree that Thai temples are very beautiful. Of course, after having visited a few, they will begin to seem “always the same”. Until you arrive at the White Temple of Chiang Rai (in Thai “Wat Rong Khun"). My mother, it may be one of the rarest places we saw in the whole world! And not just for his Exterior, entirely bank and full of crystallites that sparkle the reflections of the sun, nor by its incredible bridge that connects it with the earthly side, nor by its “sea ​​of ​​hands"Where, if you look closely, you can see one with a red-painted nail, alien hands, hand-foot or Terminator's very hand.

No, no, the biggest bomb awaits you in your inside, where, in a huge mural you can admire drawings of Superman, Sailor Moon, Doraimon, Kung Fu Panda, Michael Jackson, the twin towers and Goku (among others), in addition to taking advantage of its wall to launch a certain social criticism into the world, don't you It will be hard to tell if you're attentive It is an unfinished work, so they are updating it with characters who are in the pillory, for example on this occasion we saw Pikachu, we assume by the boom of the Pokemon (a few years ago it was not). By the way, the temple, although it may not seem so, is Buddhist and is a sacred place, so you will have to dress properly and behave in the same way.

The madman of this work of art is the Thai Chalermchai Kositpipat, whose project many followers have joined creating a school of their own. And Chiang Rai is famous for his creative and artistic character.

Tip: do not miss the opportunity to visit the gardens of the enclosure, with heads hanging from the tree branches and extravagant figures, and the exposition which is located a few meters from the temple where some of the artist's works are shown, a walk through a world of dreams and nightmares. And worth visiting are also the bathrooms! Yes, that all golden building that looks like a minister's palace ... those are the bathrooms!

A 70-year-old Thai dressed as a cowboy dancing to the music of aerobics? Yes gentlemen, this is Thailand! Chiringuitos clothes, skewers, handicrafts, fruit juices, dance floors, thousands and thousands of Thais wanting to march: if you visit Chiang Rai during the week end do not think of missing the Weekend Market.

But not only to bargain and take home some pants with drawings of elephants ... but to visit its Food Court, one of the most complete and interesting that we saw outdoors, where you can try a few local delicacies such as tempura dishes, small fish or the typical soups of the city. The atmosphere is great, the food good and the prices low ... what else do you want?

Tip: don't leave without trying a coconut ice cream. We repeat both nights: coconut ice creams from the food court of the Chiang Rai night market are really addictive. And they cost about 20 baht (50 cent), come on ... impossible to resist!

Another 15 kilometers from the city, but in the other direction of the White Temple is the Black House (Baan dum museum), a complex of different buildings and temples characteristic for the dark color of its wood and for more rare elements (also here!) that decorate both the interior of the buildings and the gardens. Many believe that the Black House is a metaphor of death (either because of the predominant black color in the whole enclosure, which is not very cheerful, or because of the hundreds of animal remains that are distributed in every corner) and although its creator , artist Thawan Duchanee, has never confirmed it ... the feeling you have left after the visit is not peace and joy.

We honestly left there with discordant feelings. On the one hand it is undeniable that the place is amazing (in total there are more than 40 constructions!) But on the other side to see so many skins, bones and animal remains, buff da grimilla. Of course, if you like curious places and you're a freak, you're going to gosarrrrr! How not to do it in front of the construction that looks like a spaceship?

Another frikada! It is really no wonder, do not get excited XD, but if you go through the area of ​​the Clock Tower at 19, at 20 or at 21, you can attend their musical show, in which the colors of the tower go changing and inside it represents a scene with characters and other little things. It's funny, especially to see how the Thais stand up and look at the clock as if they were watching a Broadway musical ... they live it with a lot of emotion, so join the party!

Although they don't have the importance or beauty of Chiang Mai temples, in Chiang Rai there are a few good examples of ancient Buddhist temples. They are distributed through the streets of the city and you can visit them if you organize a temple route on foot or by renting a bike (many hostels and accommodations have them for free or for a price of about 100 bahts per day). Some of the ones you can't miss are:

- Wat Phra Kaew: Perhaps it is the most important in the city for having housed the most famous and sacred figure of Buddha in Thailand: "The Emerald Buddha". It was in the fourteenth century when he was discovered buried under the floor of the pagoda that was illuminated with a powerful ray of heaven (all according to legend), before he moved to Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang and the Royal Palace in Bangkok, where it is venerated today.

- Wat Phra Singh: This 14th century temple stands out for its excellent carvings on the wood of the doors, its main hall where the statue of Buddha Phra Sihing is guarded (although it is a replica, the original is in Chiang Mai), its golden chedi and some beautiful gardens.

- Wat Prathat Doi Chom Thong: it is believed that it was the place chosen by King Mengrai to establish the city of Chiang Rai in the year 1260. In its main stupa the oldest sacred relics of the city are preserved, which makes it one of the favorites for local, although perhaps for tourists it is not of much greater interest, that if the views from the hill are a plus.

- Wat Klang Wieng: a small temple hidden in the city, but with excellent decorative elements of Lanna art and interesting statues.

- Wat Ming Meuang: another small temple where it is said inhabits the "spirit of the city". Highlights the Ordination Room, Lanna style.

(We left with a surprise for the end hehe)

One of the typical dishes of northern Thailand, of Burmese influence. It is a noodle soup cooked with coconut milk, spices, palm sugar, tamarind, fish sauce and chicken. It is slightly spicy but we assure you that its flavor is unique. Mmm, you want to eat another one! Something "normal" will have to be done in Chiang Rai!

There are a few excursions near Chiang Rai that might interest you: there are, for example, traveling to the mythical Golden Triangle (where you can see at a glance Laos, Thailand and Burma, although more than this is famous for having been the epicenter of ... the opium war :-p). Or the one that leads to the characteristic Chinese town of Mae salong. And a good idea is to rent a motorcycle and explore the surroundings.

There are also a few options for trekking (if kicking the mountains is your thing) although our favorite excursion is still… Chiang Mai (and we recommend you not to miss it!).

It is another temple found in Chiang Mai, but it is not just any temple: the Wat Rong Suea Ten is the new star attraction of the city. His nickname already says it all ... it's blue hehe. The truth is that it is a curious place and very different from the typical Thai temples, or rather ... same, but blue XD

| Map of Chiang Rai's landmarks

Chiang Rai is a cultural center that is constantly changing, and as you can see, it conceals a few surprises that make it worth a visit. So far our recommendations of things to see and do in Chiang Rai, you have been? what did you like the most?

Video: 5 Things to Do in Chiang Rai, Thailand (April 2024).