Top Things to do in Chiang Saen
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What to do and see in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai Province: The Best Things to do
Chiang Saen is located about five hours from Chiang Mai. The town offers a glimpse into the history of northern Thailand with ruins from the past. The town was founded in the 1300s.
Restaurants in Chiang Saen
1. Wat Pa Sak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By tohxinru - Singapore, Singapore
This was a quick stop at the end of our 1 day guided tour around Chiang Rai. The wat was quiet and rustic - seemingly untainted from modernity and commercialisation, unlike many other wats. It was stunning during sunset.
2. Wat Phra That Chom Kitti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By vacalover33 - Princeton, United States
One of the better historic sites in the Golden Triangle area. The grounds are well kept and the temple is beautiful. A must see if in the area.
3. Wat Pra Dhat Pha-Ngao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By 977vernd - Chiang Saen, Thailand
4 km south,downstream of chiang saen city, the temple complex is three temples plus support buildings; there is a street level temple,classic thai temple style, then another templ e midway up the hill, can walk or drive, then at the hilltop is a pagoda burmese style temple; good views at the top ; nive view of the mekong river, upstream; this is the best temple complex in the area and is Not over commercialized; i would eat somewhere else tho; likely chiang saen city
4. Nong Bua Luang
5. Chiang Saen National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By bambiinachan
This museum is small but nice. It shows the history of Chain saen and other Lanna ancient cities. Entrance fee is 20 thb for thai( not sure for foreigner)
6. House of Opium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,012 reviews
Located in the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, this museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the history of the opium trade and the dangers of addiction.
Reviewed By remembertoremember - Chiang Mai, Thailand
Crucial museum to bring awareness of the sordid history of Opium and narcotics. I went with a group of friends, some had direct experience with heroin addiction and were in recovery, and some had no idea the connection between opium, narcotics, medicinal uses and addiction. Ignorant? Maybe, that is why education is so crucial. This museum had beautiful art, excellent movies to watch, all kinds of displays to portray the complexity of the history of Narcotics. The final area was a meditation hall, with plaques with words of inspiration.
7. Wat Phra That Chedi Luang
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By ToniKay77 - Orewa, New Zealand
The age of the Chedi and temple in this place is very powerful.. There is a ot of history surrounding this site too. Well worth the visit..
8. Tham Khao Luang Cave
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Delomo - Townsville, Australia
We purposely visited Tham Luang Cave to show our 11 year old Granddaughter, on her first international trip, to show her something she had seen on the news as the rescue unfolded last year, to make world events real. From Chiang Rai we engaged a car and driver. The site is now ready for handling tourists and you get driven in trolley busses from the main road to the cave site. (Photos included). The environment is beautiful. There are display signs showing a cave cross-section and how far in the boys were. You can stand at the cave entrance and look into it. The Exhibition Centre nearby displays large boards describing the day-by-day progress of the rescue (photos included). Date on one side, you spin the board to the opposite side to see photos of the operation. There are images of the rescue team. One of the rescue slings (sked) that each boy was taken out in is on display. There is a big bronze statue of the Thai diver who lost his life and a shrine nearby. Many people were there, the majority seemed to be Thai, and they were there in devotion and prayer, bring offerings to the shrine, in thanks for the success of the rescue. It was a very humbling sight to see people doing this. They take nothing for granted and actually show their gratitude. The visit was excellent. It brings home the marvel of the rescue. It truly was an incredible feat. We are home now in Australia and have bought the book "Against All Odds" by two Australian divers, Craig Challen and Richard Harris. I am glad we visited and that our Granddaughter saw this place. P.S. There was no charge for anything at this site!
9. Wat Pra That Pukhao
10. Golden Triangle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,075 reviews
This was originally the opium-growing region of northern India Thailand, eastern Burma and western Laos, but is now mainly a tourist attraction.
Reviewed By CarlaColumna123 - Cologne, Germany
Located in the Chiang Rai province in Northern Thailand, the Golden Triangle is the area where 3 countries (Thailand, Myanmar and Laos) meet and when the River Ruak flows into the mighty Mekong. For the locals it's Sop Ruak. A must-visit for all tourists in the area.
