King Meng Rai founded the town in 1262 and it became known as the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice fields). The town was later ruled by the Burmese and only became part of Thailand again in 1786. Chiang Rai has a rich history and culture and is a fascinating place to visit. It has a mild climate for most of the year but can get hot in summer and cold in winter. Heavy rains fall from May to October watering the teak forests and undergrowth. The town is surrounded by tall mountains, jungles and forests with streams and rivers. Wat Phra That Doi Tung: one of the more famous shrines in Chiang Rai because legend has it that the left collarbone of the Lord Buddha is hidden in one of the two Lanna style chedis. The 10th century shrine, often shrouded in mist, sits majestically on top of Doi Tung Mountain. Phra Tamnak Do Tung: this stylish royal winter retreat, built for the Princess Mother, sits on the gentle hills next to the Pa Kluay Reservoir and has stunning views of the forests, hills and the botanical gardens. Suan Mae Fa Luan: the botanical garden blazes with colour from many different varieties of plants and flowers that grow here. The garden, founded by the late Princess Mother in her efforts to eradicate opium cultivation, has inspired many artists and writers. A remarkable bronze statue of children forming a human pyramid to reach the sky is the centre point of the garden. Ho Watthanatham Nithat (Museum): the small museum, located at Do Tung Hills, houses relics from ancient civilizations and written records on history, literature and native knowledge. The late Princess Mother’s royal activities are also documented as a declaration of the peoples love towards her. Wat Phra Kaew: the Emerald Buddha travelled thousands of miles from Sri Lanka to Kampuchea, the ancient cities of Angkor Wat and Ayutthaya, Lop Buri and Kampheng Phet before being hidden in the temple of Wat Pa ya, Chiang Rai. In AD 1434 lightning struck a pagoda and the emerald statue was discovered inside the alabaster. The temple then had its name changed to Wat Phra Kaew to honour the Emerald Buddha. Although the statue now resides in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok there is a replica at Wat Phra Kaew for devotees to pay homage. The Emerald Buddha is one of the most sacred images in Thai Buddhism. The tribal people also have many stores that sell old coins and things that they have made themselves including beautiful shawls, jackets and bags. Chiang Saen: once called Wiang Hiran Nakhon Ngoen Yang, the ancient town of Chiang Sen is located on the bank of the Mekong River and was founded in 1327. The city was the capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom until 1262 when King Mengrai founded Chiang Rai. Today the remains of the old double city walls and ruins of many ancient temples can be seen here. Today the Golden Triangle, the point at which the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, does not have any opium fields but it does have Sob Ruak, a quaint little tourist village that has many restaurants and stalls selling all sorts of souvenirs. | 
