Chiang Rai Tourist Guide

• Chiang Rai was founded by King Mangrai in 1262 on the site of Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong which was constructed there in 940.
• Chiang Rai City is named after him [ Mang Rai ]. It was a stronghold in the Tai Yuan Kingdom but in 1286 the Kingdom moved its capital to Wiang Kum Kam in 1286 and later to Chiang Mai in 1296. In 1434 the Emerald Buddha was discovered at Wat Phra Kaeo.
• Following the Burmese wars the Chiang Rai city was devastated and had to be repopulated with migrants from Chiang Mai, Lampang and Lumphun in 1844.

The Major Tourist Places Of Interest In Chiang Rai Town

• Wat Phra Kaeo Chiang Rai
  
• Wat Chet Yot
• Wat Phra Singh Chiang Rai
• The Kok River scenery
  
• Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong
• Wat Phra That Doi Tung. This is located 60 kilometers north of Chiang Rai on a mountain top and was founded in 911 to enshrine a bone fragment of the Buddha

Tourist Places of Interest Out From Chiang Rai Town

• Chiang Rai is the name of both the regional capital city and the Province. It is a convenient City to fly to. Accordingly one can stay at Chiang Rai as a base and make trips to Mae Sai on the Burmese Border, Chiang Saen on the Mekong River and Wat Phra That Doi Tung on the top of Doi Tung near the Burmese border as well as see the sites of Chiang Mai.