Set out on a full-day cultural journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, exploring northern Thailand’s most enchanting temples and the legendary Golden Triangle, topped off with a relaxing boat trip on the Mekong River.
Begin early with pickup from your Chiang Mai hotel and enjoy a scenic mountain drive north. Stop at the Mae Kachan Hot Springs, where you can stretch your legs, grab a snack, and see locals boil eggs in the steaming pools.
Continue to a Karen Long-Neck hill tribe village and discover one of Thailand’s most fascinating living cultures. Meet local families, learn about their traditional crafts, and witness the distinctive brass rings that symbolize beauty and heritage.
Next, visit Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a dazzling all-white masterpiece symbolizing purity and enlightenment. Its intricate carvings and reflective mosaics make it one of the most photographed temples in Thailand.
Enjoy a Thai buffet lunch at a local restaurant before exploring two more Chiang Rai icons — the mysterious Black House Museum (Baan Dam) and the ethereal Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten), known for its vivid blue walls and golden décor.
Your adventure continues to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Board a boat on the Mekong River and cruise past lush riverbanks and cross-border villages while your guide shares the area’s history as the heart of the ancient opium trade.
Return to Chiang Mai in the evening, full of lasting memories of temples, cultures, and one of Asia’s most scenic waterways.
Read
more
