OVER VIEW

Chiangsaen would have been founded early fourteen century by a nephew of king Mengrai (who founded Chiangmai). But it is told that the spot was once a Chinese trade counter, on the banks of the mighty Mekong River (important sailing way to the South).

The little city is neglected by tourists for most believe the region lacks major interest. Nevertheless, the golden triangle is still a preserved cultural highlight, full with interesting spots and places to visit, a real masterpiece of ‘Unseen Thailand’.
Chiang-Rai has a very animated and colorful market where many minorities use to flock to sell the product of their land.

Chiangsaen has still ruins of walls and moats dating from its ‘splendor’. Some very old chedis and temples are spread among the houses of the modern city, and old nice temples are found in the whole surroundings.

Mountains of the North are superb and host the famous Mae Fah Luang foundation www.maefahluang.org and its unavoidable ‘Doi Tung’ botanical garden. Plenty of ethnic minorities settled down in the mountains.

Chinese communities are found in Mae Salong area where they grow tea leaves, in breathtaking landscape scenery.
The whole region is full with interesting spots like the ‘Hall of Opium’ www.goldentrianglepark.org which is not to miss either. This modern and very educative museum is unique in the world.

A walking along the Mekong, a visit to the old temples or the minorities of the region are some of the many interesting activities of the region. Some hotels are very good and welcoming making a stay in this part of Thailand a real MUST.

DAY 3:
MEALS: Breakfast
You will start your day with a hearty breakfast in the hotel.
- 08:00: Check out Road down to Chiangmai through the amazingly beautiful mountains of Mae Salong – Halt at the tea plantations and fabrics. If you are lucky you will see the local minorities harvesting tea leaves
- 12:00: Lunch in a local restaurant
- Afternoon visit to the Kuomintang settlement and the superb scenery from the Wat Borommathat, towering over the whole region.
- Road down to The Tathon valley – Halt at Wat Thaton – Road to Maerim
- Arrival in Chiangmai by end afternoon - End of program.