Best At Thailand Holidays

 A holiday to Chiang Rai offers nature lovers and luxury travellers alike the holiday of a lifetime. Chiang Rai City, itself, is home to a vibrant art scene with live music pubs, art galleries, and architecture styled from the ancient Lanna culture. The city features Wat Rong Khun, the Buddhist and Hindu temple famous for its modern, unconventional use of white glass coupled with architectural style pulled from the ancient Lanna culture. Other districts throughout the province feature their own tourist attractions. Mae Sai offers travellers making a Chiang Rai holiday the opportunity to see raw jade and watch as local artisans process it. Chiang Saen sits next to the northern part of the Mekong River and features ancient ruins and signs of Chiang Rai province’s historic past; the national museum here houses indigenous art objects from the nearby hill tribes. Meanwhile, Mae Fa Luang is home to the very popular Doi Tung mountain, featuring the Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fu Luang Flower Garden; the Wat Phra That Doi Tung Holy Relic is an ancient religious sit that sits at the top of Doi Tung mountain, 2000 metres above sea level. Finally, in the western part of the province, Chiang Rai holiday makers are able to experience coffee and tea plantations. Perhaps the most compelling reason to make your next holiday in Chiang Rai is the charming experience of the province’s traditional culture. Until the 1920s when the railway was built, Chiang Rai was only accessible by river and elephant travel; such seclusion has helped Chiang Rai maintain its cultural heritage better than other parts of Thailand. In the city itself, holiday travellers are able to hire tuk-tuks or samlors to get around; bicycle transportation is also convenient as some of the alleys and side streets are quite narrow. Additionally, the hill tribes of northern Thailand still maintain their traditional lifestyles and travellers looking for holidays to Chiang Rai are able to see the tribes’ handiwork and villages firsthand.

Because of the region’s unique mix of indigenous mountain tribes and thriving city scenes, holidays in Chiang Rai are appropriate for both luxury holiday makers and nature lovers. With a host of five-star Chiang Rai resorts and Chiang Rai hotels located in the very heart of the city, travellers may stay within walking distance of art galleries, local craft boutiques, and open-air cafes. For instance, the five-star The Chedi resort is located right on the banks of the Mekong River in Chiang Rai City and is a mere five-minute walk from the city’s Night Bazaar, featuring local artisans and cuisine. Other luxury resorts in the city include the four-star Centara Duangtawan, Amari Rincome, and Royal Princess, all of which offer guests close proximity to some of the city’s finest architectural, shopping, and dining experiences. For those nature lovers still looking to make their Chiang Rai holiday a pampered one, the five-star Dusit D2 is located on an intimate island within the Mae Kok River flowing through central Chiang Rai province; away from city life, this luxury resort offers its guests close proximity to Thai nature at her finest: mountains, forests, rivers, ancient temples and even the colourful lifestyle of the indigenous hill tribes. Because of the abundance of natural beauty, however, even those looking for a more urban holiday experience may wish to get out of the city to see some of Chiang Rai’s most popular tourist destinations. Phu Chi Fa is a fairly short mountain trail (1.8 km) that leads to breathtaking mountaintop views. The Gate of Siam is another popular mountain viewing experience located on the Laos border and looking down over the mighty Mekong River beneath. But no holiday to Chiang Rai is complete without a stop at Doi Tung. Though full of parks, trails, and even a zoo, the drive to Doi Tung is attractive in itself; narrow and winding it passes near several active hill tribe villages. The Doi Tung Royal Villa is a summer palace built and occupied by the late Princess Mother and since turned to a museum; nearby, the Doi Tung Zoo is an open area featuring such wildlife as Siamese fireback pheasants, peacocks, bears, and a variety of deer (sambar deer, barking deer and hog deer). Golfing and mountain biking are two popular activities that can be enjoyed nearer the city. For more “traditional” Thai experiences, long tail boat day tours and elephant rides are available; these enable travellers to experience Thai nature and hill tribe villages with minimal physical exertion. Because of the popularity of Chiang Rai province with tourists, a wealth of Chiang Rai hotels are available to choose from. Whether looking for pampered indulgence at the five-star Dusit D2 or looking for cheap holidays to Chiang Rai, holiday travellers will have no problem finding accommodations that match their needs. Package holidays to Chiang Rai are available for various resorts. Additionally, travellers can make cheap holidays to Chiang Rai by choosing a great deal at any of the hotels in Chiang Rai or one of the luxury resorts. Additional Chiang Rai deals can be found for those looking to book a cheap Chiang Rai holiday when looking for flights to Chiang Rai. Though Chiang Rai was once quite isolated from the rest of the world, the international airport in Chiang Rai city has made the seclusion and natural beauty of the province within holiday travellers’ grasp. Pay particular attention to the late deals to Chiang Rai. To further save money, travellers may choose to fly into Bangkok and take bus or train to Chiang Rai. The best time to visit Chiang Rai is between November and March as the rainy season begins in April and continues through October. However, festivals are held year-round in the region. Two popular festivals include the Blooming Mexican Sunflower Festival and the Songkran Festival. The Blooming Mexican Sunflower Festival is held in the district of Mae Fa Luang every November and features sunflower fields in full bloom as well as the beauty of local waterfalls at the end of the rainy season. At the start of the rainy season, the Songkran Festival and Boat Races of Mueang Chiang Saen are held every April 13-18 and include a parade, boat races, and a ceremonial water bathing of the Phrachao Lanthong Buddha image as well as various performances by locals.