The city of Chiang Rai, located at the northern-most tip of Thailand, is surrounded by mountains and well-known for its beautiful scenery. It also lies at the borders of Laos and Myanmar, where the Mekong River flows. Five different countries border one another in the Mekong River region: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The 1st Mekong-Republic of KOREA Summit will be held in Busan this month.

Chiang Rai is home to Wat Rong Khun, an entirely white art exhibit dubbed the White Temple. It is said that Wat Rhong Khun’s white color represents the purity of the Buddha. The beauty of this exhibit ― a temple forged in white marble, glass, and mirrors ― attracts visitors all year round. In contrast is the Baan Dam Museum (‘black house’ in Vietnamese) of which each and every element is painted black. The museum is made up of some 40 or so buildings of unique shapes and sizes, in which peculiar objects and art pieces are exhibited. Meanwhile, the so-called Blue Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten, is covered in blue and presents a traditional Thai temple structure with additional fine details and decorations. Chiang Rai is a great tourist destination that represents Thailand, offering views of vibrant temples of unique colors and features.

Travel Tip

The Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar share borders along the river, is a popular tourist attraction in Chiang Rai.

Here, you can get on a boat to explore the Mekong River’s serene views.