Joanna James
Moving landscapes, amazing food and beautiful temples make Chiang Saen a sublime destination to explore in Thailand. Here are the top 5 things to do in Chiang Saen.
The Golden Triangle is where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet amicably to share beauty, rich heritage and mind-blowing food. When you look for Chiang Saen hotels for your stay, consider hotels located close to the Golden Triangle like the Anantara Golden Triangle. You'll have easy access to three beautiful nations. Don't forget to hire a boat and sail the Mekong River to discover Chiang Saen from a different perspective. Drink in the beauty of small towns and the thick jungle.
Not too far away from the Golden Triangle lies the Hall of Opium Museum. The museum uses storytelling, artefacts as well as multimedia to take you on a tour of the opium trade in the region. You'll get to learn about the trade. There is also an artificial poppy field and an imitation Chinese tea house where all sorts of people used to smoke opium. Learn about Britain's and Thailand's Opium Wars that took place in the 1880s. When opium use became a social issue, Thailand resorted to various methods to suppress the trend.
Food vendors line the Mekong River and the Golden Triangle. You'll be inundated with a choice of local cuisines. Savour food made from fresh local ingredients, some from the forest and some from waterways. Sit by a low table near the river and tuck into a bowl of sticky rice with mango slices and coconut cream. How about a spicy papaya salad with peanuts and bean sprouts? The riverside is an ideal place for your evening stroll followed by oodles of Thai food.
This ancient temple seems to gaze down upon the picturesque landscape around the Khong River. There are multiple revered chedis scattered around the temple premises. The ascent up to the temple is long with 308 steps to navigate. But the view from the top will reward all your efforts. Take your time to enjoy the statues and porticoes on the way up to the main temple. Buddhists hold this temple in high reverence. The temple is home to a part of a relic of the Buddha.
The name Wat Pa Sak roughly means the 'the temple of the teak forest' in English. Tucked away within an emerald forest, the temple is infused with a sense of peace. According to history, King Saen Phu planted over 300 teak saplings when he first commissioned Wat Pa Sak in 1295. Visitors find themselves revisiting the temple for its peaceful, green environs as well as the intricate designs on most of its constructions. The temple's Chedi is flanked by stucco motifs and it stands tall and elegant at 12.5 meters. The Chedi is an enchanting example of Lanna-style architecture from Northern Thailand.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
