A Weekend in Chiang Rai

We stayed at Le Méridien which is a little out of town but in a very serene setting surrounded by water and for a relaxing weekend it was perfect.  The building and surrounding gardens were really attractive.  The rooms were big and very comfortable, our room opened straight out onto the garden.  The service was really good, I felt the food catered for western tastes and was not very authentic to the North of Thailand which is known for its Isaan Cuisine. Normally I love being in the town or within walking distance but the hotel offered a regular shuttle bus during the day and in the evening and it was easy and not expensive to take a taxi.  The concierge came up with good ideas for our trip and found us a great driver.  For a weekend away it was great, very luxurious and we used our SPG points – so win/win!  I would love to experience something a little more local and in the city…but then there’s always next time!

The Blue Temple
Wat Rong Suea Ten – a lower key more local attraction, was suggested to us by our taxi driver.  This was a surprise addition to our short tour but well worth the stop.  Located in Rong Suea Ten in the Rimkok district only a few km from Chiang Rai, the Blue Temple was a complete contrast to the White Temple, being a smaller and very locally used temple.  A simpler style with brighter colours and more contemporary artwork and murals. The bright blue interior of the main hall and large white Buddha are the most striking features.  It is a fairly recent construction, started in 2005 and the main hall was completed in January 2016 which is maybe why it has not caught the eyes of the tourists yet, but it will I'm sure, become more famous in the next few years.  Interestingly, The Blue Temple was built by a student of Chalermchai  Khositpipat who built The famous White Temple.

I know this was a contrived group of small villages but it was an educational experience.  To meet a few representatives from some of the northern village tribes and see the way they live, villages included the Lahu, Long Neck, Kayor and Palong. One can experience a little of their culture, enjoy their traditional dress and watch them make their local handicrafts.   We walked among their village areas and the stalls where one can buy their local clothes, jewellery, wooden carvings, handmade bags etc.  Seeing and learning about the Karen tribe was fascinating.  These are the long-necked women.  We even got to see ladies changing their brass rings.  These are incredibly heavy it’s hard to believe they wear them all of the time.  You pay an entrance fee to get into the area which I believe all goes to the tribal villages and anything bought from the ladies is helping their communities thrive.

A Weekend in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Why not pin this trip for later!