CHIANGRAI : Chiang Saen

          an ancient town which once served as the main town before King Mengrai established Chiang Rai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom in 1262. Traces of old double city walls and many other antiquities still remain in and outside the district town. The attractions include Chiang Saen National Museum, Wat Phra That Chedi Luang and Wat Pa Sak.


How to get there :



By bus

Chiang Saen is connected by bus to Chiang Rai (1.5 hrs, every 15-20 min, 37 baht). Blue songthaews also travel from Mae Sai via the Golden Triangle to Chiang Saen in about 1 hour (every 20 min or so, 60 baht).


The bus station and songthaew depot is located about 50 meters before the main road (Highway 1016) ends in a T-intersection on the banks of the Mekong river (intersection pictured above).


There does not appear to be any regular public transport south to Chiang Khong and the Lao border crossing.


By car

The district can be reached by taking Highway No. 110 from Chiang Rai for some 30 kilometres. Then take a right turn onto Highway No. 1016 and proceed on for another 30 kilometres.


By boat

It's also possible to charter a boat carrying up to 8 people along the Mekong to Chiang Khong (1.5 hrs) for around 1500 baht, or up to Sop Ruak (Golden Triangle) for less (around 40 min).