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Chiang Rai is Thailand's northernmost province bordered by Burma and Laos, forming the famous "Golden Triangle". The terrain surrounding the town is mainly mountainous and forested, and is populated with hill tribes, making Chiang Rai an ideal base for trekking. It is much smaller than Chiang Mai, and the pace of life here is much slower, more laid back. Contrast the town with Bangkok and you feel as though you're in a completely different country.
Chiang Rai is an ancient town, originally founded in 1262 as the early capital of the Lanna kingdom, before this honour was transferred to Chiang Mai just 35 years later. This history is reflected in the relative paucity of attractions in the town itself, although there are some sights that deserve a visit, such as the Hill Tribe Museum and various temples. Generally, the town is used as a base from which to visit the other attractions of the area. It is a great place to stay before venturing down the Mekong into Laos, or visiting the wilder areas of Thailand along the Burmese border. Hotel accommodation in and around Chiang Rai ranges from the humble guest house to luxurious resort hotels such as the Dusit Island Resort or Le Meridien Baan Boran, with plenty of options at all levels in between. Dining out is a pleasure in Chiang Rai, with the famous northern Thai cuisine at the top of many menus. Nightlife is fairly subdued, although a smallish selection of bars and cafes caters to travellers. So, despite its relative dearth of sightseeing attractions, slow, somnolent and peaceful Chiang Rai remains a great place to stay, especially as a base for trekking expeditions further afield. The climate in Chiang Rai is significantly cooler than the rest of Thailand, and can feel quite chilly in December and January when the temperature can drop to as low as 10ºC. In the hot season from March to May however, the heat is on and temperatures hover around 35ºC.
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