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Who among us does not dream of Vacation in Thailand? Golden sands, clear water, coconut trees, fruit smoothies, pot massages, markets, excellent food, Attractions for young and old to enjoy And countless Accommodation options At affordable prices - who needs more than that?
It turns out that no one, which makes Thailand one of the most popular and beloved tourist destinations among tourists from all over the world. Families with little ones, honeymoon couples, groups of young people and even backpackers - All of these arrive en masse to the exotic country in order to enjoy a dream vacation on a reasonable budget.
Most of the tourists visiting Thailand visit the island region of the southern kingdom of Siam - Kosmoy, Phuket and other islands known for their magical coastlines, with turquoise waters at a pleasant temperature, caressing breezes and breathtaking sunsets. But Thailand is not only islands and in fact there is so much more to see, that it is better to plan the trip carefully and at least decide in advance which destinations you want to visit and how much time you will spend on each of them.
For those of us who want to get to know the real, traditional and colorful Thailand and are ready to enjoy a vacation that is not just "belly-back", it is worth planning a route that also passes through the northern part of the country - Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai And Pye the beauties
In recent years it has become Chiang Rai, which until about a decade ago was relatively anonymous among the visiting tourists in the northern regions of Thailand, to one of the main tourist destinations for those traveling nearby to the golden triangle. Make no mistake, it still does not receive the sympathy that its neighbor Chiang Mai receives, but it certainly receives warm treatment and many travelers come to it especially and not just "on the way to".
If you have already visited Chiang Mai and want to continue enjoying all the benefits of Northern Thailand, but with a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere - Chiang Rai is the perfect place for the rest of your vacation. With breathtaking views, high mountains, never-ending rice fields and the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see, Chiang Rai will make your vacation unforgettable.
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The accommodation options in Chiang Rai are many and varied, so you won't have any trouble finding a place to stay for whatever budget you want to devote to the subject - from hostels for backpackers looking for a place to stay on a limited budget to luxury hotels that are especially suitable for honeymoon couples and those who want to pamper themselves in the hotel room without missing a thing.
In addition to these, there are other places to stay in all price ranges - great resorts for families, 3 and 4 star hotels and much more. All of these are scattered throughout the entire city, where precisely those that are considered cheaper than places in the heart of the city and allow easy access to the main sites, while the more prestigious ones are in a slightly more distant location.
There are several ways to get to this magical city, the main and most recommended of which is by domestic flight From the main airport in Bangkok. This is a short flight offered by some of Thailand's local airlines and if you book it in advance you will enjoy attractive prices.
In this context, get a nice tip: Each airline has an application and a member club, which is usually completely free to sign up for. After registration, you can be updated on the best flight prices, worthwhile promotions and enjoy various benefits such as free entry to the passenger lounge and more.
Another option is to get to Chiang Rai by public transport or Car Rental. In this case, it is important to take into account that it is a long trip that takes an average of 12 hours. If you want to use Thailand's train services, you can board a train towards Chiang Mai and from there travel to Chiang Rai for about 4 hours.
It is important to take into account that within the city itself, transportation is mainly based on tuktuks and taxis, although most of the main sites are close to each other and can be reached on foot. A trip within the city will cost a few tens of baht, while from the airport about 200 baht.
As in any self-respecting city in the Kingdom of Siam, Chiang Rai also has no shortage of activities and attractions for the whole family to enjoy, which makes a vacation there also recommended for families with children, couples on their honeymoon, and backpackers. Among the most recommended attractions you can find:
A beautiful temple surrounded by magnificent gardens, best known for its color which makes it particularly prominent in the local landscape. This color was given to it due to it being built of white stone covered with shards of mirrors that give the structure a majestic appearance.
A river cruise out of the city surrounded by authentic tribal villages, tall mountains and magnificent vegetation. The cruise can be combined with a tour of these villages - in this case you should extend the cruise and enjoy a weekend in the traditional villages.
A central square in the center of which stands a golden and impressive clock tower. Every hour in the evening (19:00-21:00) there is an audiovisual show that attracts many tourists to this area.
A house belonging to the artist Tavan Duchani where different and unusual works are displayed, many of which are made from parts of animal bodies such as horns, bones, pulleys and skins. This is a controversial place, but if you have free time and are art lovers, the visit is definitely recommended.
In addition to the attractions that are within the city itself, there are many attractions that are within a short driving distance, such as The Opium House and the Opium House Museum, the Golden Triangle, the town of Mae Sai, the gardens of Queen Mae Pe Luang (mae fah luang) and Kun Korn waterfalls.
In terms of nightlife, the local scene is concentrated in the area Chiang Rai's famous night market Which is not considered particularly large, but surprisingly in relation to its size, it has plenty of souvenir stands that you can purchase for yourself or your loved ones. Among other things - stalls offering handmade products, clothing stalls, art objects, jewelry and also products produced by the local tribes. In addition to these, you can of course find in the market all the usual accessories sold in Thai markets, at excellent prices.
If you fancy a cold drink, live performances or a nice game of snooker, it is recommended to visit on Th Jet Yot Street It has quite nice pubs. If you visit Chiang Rai during the weekend, you will be happy to hear that every Saturday night Thanalai Street Turns into a pedestrian street - entry of vehicles is prohibited, nice stalls pop up, dance shows, karaoke, food stalls and souvenirs and more. This market, which mainly caters to the local crowd, is considered particularly colorful, the atmosphere is great and the prices are as well.
who loves you Thai cuisine It won't be difficult to find great places to eat. Throughout the city there are many restaurants of every kind, so whether you are looking for an authentic restaurant serving traditional food, excellent street stalls or restaurants serving international cuisine - Chiang Rai has it all.
In addition to the local restaurants, you can also go to the wonderful food market which is located near the night market, where dozens of local food stalls serve mostly famous Thai dishes but not only. This is the place to enjoy large dishes at a small price and if you wanted to try less usual foods during the trip such as snails or insects - this is the place.
The weather in this area is considered cooler compared to other parts of the Kingdom of Siam when the coldest months are December and January, so the average temperatures are 10 degrees Celsius while during the summer months from March to May the average daily temperatures are 35 degrees. To enjoy the weather which is not too hot but not freezing either, it is recommended to arrive between April and September.
If you want to enjoy all the advantages of northern Thailand in a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere - Chiang Rai is the perfect place for you - breathtaking views, high mountains, never-ending rice fields and the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see in your life.
The most recommended way to get to Chiang Rai is by domestic flight from the main airport in Bangkok. This is a short flight offered by several local airlines in Thailand
The weather in this area is considered cooler compared to other parts of Thailand, and in order to enjoy weather that is not too hot but not freezing either, it is recommended to arrive between April and September.
Accommodation options in Chiang Rai are many and varied, so you won't have any trouble finding a place to stay for any budget you want - from hostels with a limited budget to luxury hotels suitable for those who want to pamper themselves. You will find the best of them on the site.