GOLDEN TRIANGLE ATTRACTIONS
Golden Triangle
The small town of Sop Ruak which is 30 km north of Chiang Rai city in the province of Chiang Rai is regarded as the center of the Golden Triangle. This is where the Mekong and Ruak River intersect which demarcates Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.
The Laos border entry is on the other side of the river and the special access Laos border town market of Donsao is half way between Sop Ruak and Chiang Saen on the other side of the Mekong river. This special tourist shopping market can be reached from Sop Ruak by long boat without the need of a visa for the day. You can purchase bottles of whiskey with snakes or scorpions inside, womens handbags, clothes and much more.
To reach Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle, take a Green Bus mini van from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal. It takes about 1.5 hours and the busses run from morning to 5pm. Busses also run from Chiang Mai.
Busses can be irregular and you need to ensure you are able to get one for the return journey. Wilst there you would need to hire a tuk tuk to get around.
Purchasing a tour from Chiang Rai would be an easier option. Renting a private taxi would be the easiest and most convenient option.
If driving by car, take highway 1 going north from Chiang Rai for about 30 km. Watch out for road signs. Then take a right turn onto highway 1016 for another 30 km to reach Chiang Sean. There is a large round-about where you can continue straight into the city and follow the main road to the Mekong river, or turn left at the roundabout to continue to Sop Ruak on highway 1290 on outskirts of Chiang Saen. Turn left at the end to proceed north to Sop Ruak on highway 1290 when you reach the end of the road that skirts around Chiang Saen.
The entire round trip starting from Chiang Rai could be done in a single day. If staying overnight in the area then it would be best to book a room via a well known on-line booking agency to obtain a good price else you will be paying substantially more for a walk-in booking, if any are available. Best places to stay are around Sop Ruak Golden Triangle area where there are quality resorts.
Places to Visit at the Golden Triangle
Tung Luang Chaloem Phra Kiat
Tung Luang Chaloem Phra Kiat is located in Sop Ruak village on the banks of the Mekong River.
These magnificent structures are located next to the Buddha boat, Phra Buddha Sirirat.
Phra Buddha Sirirat
Phra Buddha Sirirat is also called the Buddha boat and sits on the banks of the Mekong river next to Tung Luang Chaloem Phra Kiat.
House of Opium Museum
The House of Opium Museum is located in Sop Ruak. Not to be confused with the Hall of Opium.
To get to the House of Opium Museum you can walk south down the main road towards the city center from Phra Buddha Sirirat (Buddha Boat) on the riverfront. You will see signage pointing to the Opium Museum off a small side street.
Hall Of Opium
The Golden Triangle Park Hall Of Opium is just 2 km north west of Sop Ruak on highway 1290. Not to be confused with the House Of Opium Museum in Sop Ruak. The Hall Of Opium is situated on a very large park and is a huge building on many levels with a theatre and many high quality and interesting exhibitions. It was built to educate people on the dangers of Opium and shows the devastating effect it had on people and countries throughout history. Unfortunately photography inside is strictly prohibited. It is well worth a visit and takes 2 hours or more to see everything. Opening times are 8.30am until 4:00pm daily except Monday.
Chiang Saen National Museum
The Chiang Saen National Museum has exhibitions on archaeology and art history related to the settlement of communities from prehistoric times through to historic times.
This extensive museum has a ground-floor front exhibition building, a mezzanine, an extension building, and a multi-purpose building.
Chiang Saen National Museum is located at
702 Village No. 3, Phahonyothin Road, Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Saen.
Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM.
Admission for foreigners is 120 baht.
Phrathat Chomkitti
Located west and above the village of Chiang Saen.
Phrathat Chomkitti is an ancient Buddhist temple atop Doi Chomkitti (mountain) overlooking Chiang Saen village.
The temple grounds are quiet and less crowded than other local attractions and is one of the region’s oldest religious sites.
To get there from Chiang Saen's main highway 1290, turn off into highway 5033 through the large white arch, follow the signs (in English and Thai) and drive up the mountain. You will need to locate a U Turn if on the opposite side of highway 1290 driving out of Chiang Saen village.
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao temple is known for its magnificent golden chedi which enshrines a sacred relic of the Buddha.
You will also find the Mekong River Skywalk in this large temple complex.
To get there travel south down highway 1290 from Chiang Saen for about 4km until you reach the village of Ban Sop Kham. Watch for the road sign indicating to turn right into the temple.
Wat Pa Sak
Wat Pa Sak is located close to Chiang Saen city and is one of the Chiang Rai's most historically significant temples. This temple was built during the 14th century and it is surrounded by a forest of teak trees. You can wander around these Lanna style ancient ruins.
To get to Wat Pa Sak, take the main highway 1290 on the outskirts around Chiang Saen city, then at the main highway 1290 round-about, exit the round-about into highway 1016 that goes towards Chiang Saen city. When the highway turns from a dual carriageway to a regular road, immediately turn left off highway 1016 into the small road entry that has a small sign for Wat Pa Sak.
Things to Do at the Golden Triangle
Mekong Skywalk
The Pha Ngao Skywalk is a glass observation platform that overlooks the Mekong river and into Laos.
Suspended high above the ground, the transparent glass floor extends far out and allows visitors to look directly down at the Mekong river and surrounding countryside.
To get there travel south down highway 1290 from Chiang Saen for about 4km until you reach the village of Ban Sop Kham. Watch for the road sign indicating to turn right into the large temple complex of Wat Phra That Pha Ngao (temple), park in the temple grounds carpark and take a taxi to the skywalk which is near the Phra Borommathat Phuttha Nimit Chedi.
Mekong River Tour Boat
You can take a long boat or speed boat tour up and down the Mekong river from the tour operators located on the banks of the river.
Donsao in Laos
Visit the Donsao special economic zone in Laos for cheap knockoff handbags and clothing, wiskey with scorpions or snakes inside, and many other cheap items.
Take a speedboat. No visa required as this is situated on the banks of the Mekong river and any visit is only for a short time.
