Set off on a 2-day excursion to discover the Chiang Rai region, where you will visit its magnificent temples, as well as its mountains, tea plantations, and unique culture influenced by Burma.
Day 1 Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Chiang Mai around 8 AM, and you will head towards the Chiang Rai region, traveling through the mountains. Your first stop will be at the Mae Kajan hot springs and geysers. The planned stop is mainly for sightseeing, but if you wish, you can also relax by soaking your feet in the outdoor pool.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at a small restaurant of your choice in the area before heading to visit the tea plantations, a true institution in this region! Indeed, the area was formerly known for its opium plantations, but since Thailand is anything but lenient with drugs, the government encouraged farmers to grow tea and coffee instead of poppies. As a result, the hillsides are now covered with tea trees throughout the region, giving the landscapes a slight resemblance to Italian vineyards.
You will then make a stop around 3 PM in the town of Mae Sai, at the Burmese border, to visit a local market and enjoy Burmese specialties. Later in the day, around 4 PM, it will be time to head to the famous Golden Triangle to avoid the group tours and fully enjoy the place. You will have time to explore and appreciate this magnificent landscape and climb up a small temple for an unforgettable view of the Golden Triangle and the surrounding region.
If you wish and have time, you can also visit a small museum dedicated to the culture of poppy and opium.
Your driver will then drop you off at your hotel (free choice) in Chiang Saen or Chiang Rai.
In the evening, you can head to the nearby town of Chiang Saen for dinner by the riverside, surrounded by temples and a small night market if you happen to be there on a Saturday night. You will appreciate the gentle way of life of the northern people as you wander through the small alleys along the river. If you are in Chiang Rai, you will enjoy the night market in the city center.
Day 2 After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, it will be time to hit the road again for a day dedicated to temples! Around 9 AM, you will head towards the city of Chiang Rai, which you will only pass through as it doesn’t hold much particular interest.
Your first stop will be the Black House (Baan Dum), a completely unusual place! This house and its gardens are filled with an extraordinary collection of curiosities, gathered by the owner from different countries and arranged here like a very strange museum.
Next, you will head to the new Blue Temple, just as dazzling as the White Temple, created by a fan of the architect of Wat Rong Khun.
The final stop before heading into nature will be the unmissable and dazzling White Temple, known in Thai as Wat Rong Khun. You will spend about an hour there, giving you plenty of time to admire its incredible statues and take beautiful photos. To discover the secrets of the temple, I invite you to read this article.
Then, it will be time to head to Singha Park. It is mostly known for its statue at the park’s entrance, representing a mythical Thai creature in the form of a lion (Singh means lion in Thai). But the park has much more to offer, as it is vast! Almost entirely artificial, you will have the chance to admire many beautiful landscapes, such as tea and coffee plantations, and a large lake surrounded by hills.
Finally, it will be time to take the road back, with a few stops along the way, and return to Chiang Mai, thus concluding these two wonderful days in the Chiang Rai region.
Day 1 8:00 AM Departure from Chiang Mai Stop at Mae Kajan hot springs Visit to tea plantations Visit to the Burmese border market (Mae Sai) Free time for lunch Visit to the Golden Triangle Optional boat ride on the Mekong River Hotel accommodation (location flexible)
Day 2 9:00 AM Departure from your hotel Visit to the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) Visit to the Blue Temple Free time for lunch Visit to the Black House (Baan Dum) Visit to Wat Saeng Kaeo Phothiyan temple 5:00 PM Departure from Chiang Rai, arrival around 8:00 PM in Chiang Mai