Chiang Rai, Thailand: Free visa on arrival, direct flights from Hangzhou, and a fun-filled adventure in this hidden gem of a city in northern Thailand
Preface
The Thai government recently announced that "until April 30, 2020, inbound tourists from 18 countries and regions, including China, [do not need to pay the visa on arrival fee]."
The flight time includes Chinese New Year and Songkran! Coincidentally, good things come in pairs. AirAsia, known for its incredibly cheap airfares, will be launching its inaugural direct flight from Hangzhou to Chiang Rai, Thailand, on December 1st. This route will replace the Hangzhou to Chiang Mai route, with four flights per week.
With the right timing and location, it’s time to explore Chiang Rai, a hidden gem of northern Thailand.
❤️The most amazing way to play Chiang Rai in history
Chiang Rai, Thailand's northernmost province, embodies all the charm of northern Thailand. Known as the "Thailand's Healing Sister Cities of Northern Thailand," it and Chiang Mai were both once the ancient capitals of the Lanna civilization. In this guide, we delve into Chiang Rai's unique character—the difference between stunning and ordinary lies in this unique experience!
Afternoon tea at a beautiful and tasty coffee shop
Chiang Mai, with its abundance of innovative coffee, is a favorite among the budget-conscious. However, you might be surprised to learn that the real powerhouse of coffee in northern Thailand is actually Chiang Rai.
Although Chiang Rai is a small city, it has many enviable high-quality Western-style coffee shops. The world's most expensive elephant dung coffee also originated here.
01 French-style Gaoyan Riverside Cafe
This restaurant's fame isn't unfounded. Opened in 2009, it's been a hit for a decade! Housed in two small white buildings nestled along the river, the restaurant specializes in Thai cuisine, while its French-inspired decor exudes a romantic and elegant atmosphere. After tiring of the vibrant temples, come here for a refreshing change of pace and delicious food.
02 A cafe where you can enjoy authentic roast pork while enjoying soup
This coffee shop, which gives a cross-border mashup experience, was built by the Akha people, an ethnic group in Chiang Rai. They use coffee beans grown in the mountains to grind and hand-brew fragrant coffee for customers. Customers can drink mellow coffee and authentic Tujia cuisine.
The corridors of the cafe are filled with wooden signs with the wishes of customers, which have become the unique feature of the cafe over time.
03 The world's most expensive elephant dung coffee
Cat poop coffee is outdated, the most expensive coffee in the world is elephant poop coffee!
The Black Ivory Coffee from Anantara Chiang Rai Resort is the most well-known label in the world besides the White Temple and the Black Temple. It was officially launched at the Asian Elephant Center in the Golden Triangle in 2012 and became one of the most expensive coffees in the world as soon as it was released.
The 300 elephants here were originally forced out of the jungle due to hunger and thirst, and are now being treated well at Anantara's Asian Elephant Center. Part of the proceeds from the sale of elephant dung coffee will be used for the medical treatment and protection of elephants.
Here you can watch the production process, taste, and have afternoon tea at Anantara.
Stay in a unique and beautiful hotel away from the world
01 Anantara Luxury Resort
The Anantara Resort is nestled in the jungle of the Golden Triangle. Driving into the courtyard feels like entering a primeval forest. Two elephants are already standing in front of the hotel lobby, welcoming newly arrived guests. If you lean in close, they'll give you a big kiss. Mua!
The lobby is adjacent to the Elephant Bar. It is large and high enough. The different levels of brown used highlight the texture of the hotel and are in perfect harmony with the environment.
A Thai-style bedroom with tall curtains now serves as a resting place in the lobby. Several Buddha statues, the scent of lemongrass, and unique music—this is Anantara.
What is most noteworthy is that the Minor Hotel Group, to which Anantara belongs, has established an Elephant Conservation Fund, which aims to protect the natural balance of Asian elephants. It also sponsors and hosts elephant ball competitions and elephant parades, which are held every other year.
02 A luxury resort surrounded by mountains
The Golden Triangle, once considered a dangerous and sinister drug-growing region, is actually home to a fantastic holiday destination. Besides Anantara, this affordable luxury resort nestled on a hilltop and surrounded by mountains is also worth mentioning.
"The room is very large, the view is amazing, and the breakfast is superb. I would have stayed a few more nights." This hotel is a favorite among guests, offering a simple lifestyle where more is less, a true reflection of the Thai lifestyle.
The hotel also boasts a private farm where you can see deer, swans, squirrels, and parrots, making it a great place to bring children. Each room has a balcony, perfect for watching the sunrise and sunset, clouds shrouding the mountains, and overlooking the tranquil Twin Lakes.
03 Rice Flower Fragrant Rice | Rice Field Hotel
Here, you'll find the majestic beauty of the Mekong River and lush green fields. Enjoy freshly picked produce from farmers and return to basic living.
Check-in trendy internet celebrity attractions
01 Cuifeng Tea Garden
I've seen other tea gardens and visited tea mountains, but there aren't many that have turned their tea gardens into excellent tourist attractions. Cuifeng Tea Garden is one of them!
The tea plantations here are huge, making them a popular spot for filming commercials and TV dramas. The area is filled with green tea plantations, and some of the teahouses are well-designed and conveniently located.
Designed by a Thai architect, the award-winning Chouifong Tea Café is a stunning restaurant nestled on a tea hill, offering panoramic views of the beautiful tea fields. Enjoy a leisurely meal while savoring organic tea and, of course, handmade tea cakes, especially the delicious matcha cakes.
02 White Temple, Black Temple, Blue Temple, Kanghui Temple vs. White Temple
The White Temple is plain white with no gold inlay on it, symbolizing the purity of the Buddha; the silver mirror edging represents the Buddha's wisdom that illuminates the entire universe.
The Black Temple's genius designer spent 36 years designing and building an art museum.
The Blue Temple is full of artistic sense. It is not as grand as the Black Temple and the White Temple, but its beauty lies in the meticulously crafted details.
Kang Hui Temple is better because it is less crowded and can be photographed. If you ask me how to choose between these four temples, if you want to take beautiful photos, the Blue Temple and the White Temple are must-go, and the other two are up to personal preference.
2019 White Temple Special Limited Edition
Will you come to the "White Temple Immersive Light and Shadow Show" which cost over 100 million yuan to create?
This light show uses 3D laser projection mapping technology to illuminate the temple, combining these breathtaking visual effects with Thai song and dance performances. Through the design concept of "Lighting Up the White Temple", every artistic detail of the White Temple is illuminated, presenting a world-class light show full of cultural heritage and splendor. Whether you have been to the White Temple before or not, this time is worth a visit again.
Tips:
Time: November 22 to December 22, 2019, two shows per day at 18:30 and 20:30. * Each performance is limited to 1,000 spectators.
There are a total of 6 performances, performed in 5 different areas of the White Temple, spanning 1 hour.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital.
03 Singha Farm
Some say that stepping into Sinha Farm is like stepping into rural Australia. Here, you'll find endless rice paddies, a variety of flowers, lavender fields, over 200 acres of oolong tea plantations, vineyards, fruit fields, and greenhouses for various vegetables. There's also a lake, and several giraffes and zebras are kept in captivity, where visitors can feed and play with them.
A Nanyang stomach that cannot be disappointed
01 Celebrity Favorite Restaurant
This Thai restaurant called Lulum Rimkok, I don’t think it is an internet celebrity restaurant, it is simply a star restaurant.
Because it's mostly frequented by local Thais, the food is both affordable and delicious. The restaurant is next to a clean river, creating a pleasant atmosphere and delicious food. Why do I say this is the most celebrity-heavy restaurant in Chiang Rai? As soon as you walk in, you see hundreds of photos of the owner and Thai celebrities covering the walls. With so many celebrities frequenting it, it has to be good.
02 Only ten Michelin-starred restaurants per day
The owner of this Michelin-starred restaurant, formerly a chef at a renowned Bangkok restaurant, later settled in Chiang Rai with his wife, and after some time off, opened this restaurant. He leverages his years of culinary expertise to showcase Chiang Rai's culinary traditions and wisdom.
The restaurant's menu changes every night. Every morning, the chef goes to familiar organic farms and markets to buy ingredients, and chats with farmers and vegetable vendors. Inspiration is inspired by casual conversations, and he discovers unused ingredients and traditional cooking ideas passed down by word of mouth to create a 10-course dinner tasting menu.
Compared with star-rated restaurants, the dishes here are not luxurious, but you can definitely taste the most creative cuisine in Chiang Rai with full flavor and color.
03 Down-to-earth seafood stalls
Gain a deeper understanding of local culture
01 Long Neck Village
The Long-Neck people in northern Thailand are one of the ethnic minorities on the Thai-Myanmar border. They fled to northern Thailand to escape the war in Myanmar and mainly settled near Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. Mae Hong Son is the largest settlement of the Long-Neck people.
The long-necked people live in stilt-roofed thatched houses. Girls start wrapping copper rings around their necks, wrists, knees, etc. from the age of 9. These appear to be independent copper rings, but are actually made of a solid copper bar. The length is changed every two years until the age of 25 or after marriage, when it no longer needs to be lengthened. It is said that the copper bar can weigh up to 5 kilograms.
There are many theories about the origin of this custom. Some say it is because the long-necked people believe that long necks are beautiful, while others believe it is to prevent being bitten by wild beasts in the forest.
02 Golden Triangle
With the progress of human history and the development of civilization, the once drug-ridden Golden Triangle no longer exists. Today, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is a true tourist and leisure destination. Here, visitors can glimpse the beauty of the Mekong River and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the three kingdoms.
The Golden Triangle, having shed its mysterious veil, is now bustling with activity. Visitors from all over the world can go shopping in the small commodity village in Laos, or visit the casinos in Myanmar to experience the "Shanghai style" of the casinos. Finally, they can take the most beautiful photo of their trip to the Golden Triangle under the golden Buddha at the tourist pier in Thailand.
03 Mae Salong
Many officers and soldiers of the 93rd Division of the Northern Thai Isolated Army and their descendants live in Mae Salong, located in the mountainous area of northern Thailand. In addition to the Chinese, there are five other Thai ethnic minorities in Mae Salong.
"Foreign Land" written by the famous Taiwanese writer Bo Yang and the film "Foreign Land" adapted from it and directed by Zhu Yanping both describe the self-reliant and tenacious struggle of Chinese people living in Mae Salong in a foreign country.
Although they are in a foreign country, we can still see their sincere patriotism. The graves there all face north, where is their hometown in their hearts - China.
❤️How to get to Chiang Rai
[Direct flights]
Direct flights to Chiang Rai are now available from seven cities across China, so you can finally avoid driving three hours each way and only have a quick look at the White Temple!
(Map of direct flights to Chiang Rai nationwide)
【Dual City Gameplay】
For those who want a longer vacation or a more unique Thai experience, you can combine Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai can be reached by car, while Chiang Rai and Bangkok can be reached by flight.
Conclusion
Treasure Chiang Rai, the modern White Temple, the Black Temple, an art museum designed and built by a genius designer in 36 years, the artistic Blue Temple, the Cuifeng Tea Plantation with its heart-shaped "Internet celebrity tree" and a teahouse hanging on the mountaintop, cultural relics and ancient temples everywhere, the smell of coffee and vanilla in the air, and the night market full of fireworks and the atmosphere of the city will all make you fascinated and yearn for it.
