5.  One Day Chiang Khong and Golden Triangle Tour

This is a fairly lengthy tour with lots of travelling. We first take you to the northeast corner of Chiang Rai to a Hmong Village. Most of the Hmong villagers will not be wearing their finest costumes during ordinary days because their costumes are very special clothes. If you expected tribal people to wear their costumes on a daily basis, it would like wearing a tuxedo while going to work. It is simply not done anymore.

We proceed to Chiang Khong along the Mekong river. Chiang Khong is a popular crossing point into Laos. There is an Immigrations Office here for people that cross into Laos. Many tourists that come from Laos enter Thailand at Chiang Khong.

From Chiang Khong we drive north over steep hills toward the ancient city of Chiang Saen. Chiang Saen is estimated to be no less than 1,000 years old. The city was along an important highway that was the Mekong River. Chiang Saen was one of the most important cites of the Lanna Kingdom.

The city fell into ruin after soon after the Burmese were defeated in the 18^th century. This picturesque ancient city is beginning to reawaken. Much restoration work has been done on ancient structures such as temples, pagodas and the earthen city ramparts that kept enemies away.

We visit Wat Prathat Pha Ngao, which has a commanding view of the surrounding area, then proceed to Sop Ruak where we visit the House of Opium.

Return to Chiang Rai.

Alternative: Instead of going to Pha Ngao Temple, you may opt to visit the National Museum at Chiang Saen.

Warning! If you have a non-immigrant visa, make sure you apply for a re-entry permit before exiting the Kingdom of Thailand. Otherwise your non-immigrant visa and work-permit will be cancelled.