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Flights to Chiang Rai
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Chiang Rai is a city in the far north of Thailand and is considered to be the main centre for the ‘Golden Triangle’ where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos all border each other. As well as being a great base for exploring more of the Northern Thailand region, Chiang Rai has many of its own attractions too.
Chiang Rai Clock Tower
Many Thai cities have a clock tower marking the heart of the city, and Chiang Rai is no exception. But, what sets Chiang Rai apart is that this is a highly decorated, stunning piece of architecture! The new Golden Clock Tower has replaced an earlier and far uglier version. This one has only recently been unveiled and it’s so golden and lavish that the clock tower rivals some of the city’s temples.
Temples in Chiang Rai
Speaking of temples, Chiang Rai has some very beautiful ones worthy of visiting by any tourist. Wat Phra Kaeo became famous in the 14th century as the Emerald Buddha was discovered here in the garden when a stupa was hit by lightning and opened up to reveal the Buddha. The original is now in a temple of the same name in Bangkok, but here in Chiang Rai you can see an almost exact replica of it.
Wat Phra Sing has a similar story to that of Phra Kaeo in that it once housed a major Buddha statue that has now been moved so this temple has a replica. The temple itself dates fro around 1385.
A far newer temple for Chiang Rai is Wat Rong Khun which was started in 1997. This is a Buddhist and Hindu temple that is entirely white outside. The complex is still being built and will eventually house nine different buildings.
Museums in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai also has a good selection of museums, mainly focusing on the culture of the city and surrounding region. There is the Cultural Hall Museum with exhibits dating back to prehistoric times. The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park combines culture and parkland, making this a nice place to visit when you want to get out of the centre of Chiang Rai for a while.
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
When temperatures are cooler in the evening, enjoy a trip to Chiang Rai’s Night Bazaar. This night market is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts of local products, plus there are often cultural performances and numerous restaurants to enjoy.
Flights to Chiang Rai
The Chiang Rai International Airport (airport code: CEI) doesn't handle any international flights to Chiang Rai so when travelling from the UK you will be connecting at least once in Thailand before arrival. Qantas Airways and British Airways are the only airlines that have 1-stop flight to Chiang Rai going via Bangkok. KLM has transfer stops in Amsterdam and then in Bangkok, and Air Berlin will take you via Berlin and then Bangkok for their flights to Chiang Rai.Chiang Rai Tourist Attractions
Like most towns and cities in Thailand, Chiang Rai offers a wonderful selection of temples and stunning architecture, with the added bonus of having many museums to explore too. Among the attractions are the following:Chiang Rai Clock Tower
Many Thai cities have a clock tower marking the heart of the city, and Chiang Rai is no exception. But, what sets Chiang Rai apart is that this is a highly decorated, stunning piece of architecture! The new Golden Clock Tower has replaced an earlier and far uglier version. This one has only recently been unveiled and it’s so golden and lavish that the clock tower rivals some of the city’s temples.
Temples in Chiang Rai
Speaking of temples, Chiang Rai has some very beautiful ones worthy of visiting by any tourist. Wat Phra Kaeo became famous in the 14th century as the Emerald Buddha was discovered here in the garden when a stupa was hit by lightning and opened up to reveal the Buddha. The original is now in a temple of the same name in Bangkok, but here in Chiang Rai you can see an almost exact replica of it.
Wat Phra Sing has a similar story to that of Phra Kaeo in that it once housed a major Buddha statue that has now been moved so this temple has a replica. The temple itself dates fro around 1385.
A far newer temple for Chiang Rai is Wat Rong Khun which was started in 1997. This is a Buddhist and Hindu temple that is entirely white outside. The complex is still being built and will eventually house nine different buildings.
Museums in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai also has a good selection of museums, mainly focusing on the culture of the city and surrounding region. There is the Cultural Hall Museum with exhibits dating back to prehistoric times. The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park combines culture and parkland, making this a nice place to visit when you want to get out of the centre of Chiang Rai for a while.
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
When temperatures are cooler in the evening, enjoy a trip to Chiang Rai’s Night Bazaar. This night market is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts of local products, plus there are often cultural performances and numerous restaurants to enjoy.