The Golden Triangle where Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar

Chiang Rai is a comfortable three hour scenic drive from Chiang Mai on an excellent road.
Either private car or  by comfortable GREEN BUS service departing several times a day from
Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station.
The town of Chiang Rai is a sleepier provincial capital but offers quite a few interesting places to visit.
A short drive out of the city brings you to the beautiful hill country of the Golden Triangle.

Wat Phra Keow with a replica of the Emerald Buddha now housed at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. It was here in Chiang Rai that this precious Buddha image was re-discovered in 1434 after being hidden away in a chedi for protection from  outside invaders. The Emerald Buddha was then quite a traveler residing in Lampang and Chiang Mai before moving to Laos for over 200 years after Lao King Setthatirat married a Chiang Mai princess. Finally when the Siamese sacked Vientiane in 1778, the Emerald Buddha has been housed in Bangkok.

Close by is the small  Hilltribe Museum and a restaurant called
Cabbages and Condoms which is part of a Thai NGO and PDA-
People’s Development Association supporting HIV/Aids awareness:     http://www.pdacr.org/

Tribal Music Asia:
Victoria Vorreiter has been documenting traditional music of the Golden Triangle. Very beautiful:
http://www.tribalmusicasia.com/

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park –under Royal Patronage is a beautiful place to visit in Chiang Rai town  and often overlooked by visitors.

Baan Dam – The Black House Museum is another interesting place to visit seeing the work of local Thai artist Thawan Duchanee.
More information from Travelfish.org– Click Here

The White Temple-  Wat Rong Khun created by Thai national artist Chalermchai is located just south of Chiang Rai City- an easy stop on the way from Chiang Rai.
See what Travelfish.org  has to say, Click Here.

Accomodations in Chiang Rai City:
There are lots of small hotels and guesthouses close to Night Market area but a short drive away:

The River House Resort:   lovely and quiet
http://www.imperialriverhouse.com/

North into The Golden Triangle:
Mae Sai:  Thailand’s northern most town where the border crossing is into Tachilek in Myanmar is approx 1.5 hours drive from Chiang Rai town.

Border crossing into Myanmar at  Mae Sai:
POST MILITARY COUP in Myanmar-  NO Updates available.

The Triangle itself is about half an hour drive to the east where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meets along the Mekong River.
The official border crossing into Laos is at the Thai border town of Chiang Khong, further south of the Triangle driving along the Mekong and the historical town of Chiang Saen.
or –  northeastast of Chiang Rai town to Chiang Khong where the Lao Friendship Bridge is- 
Houixay town on the Lao side.  More below.

Doi Mae Salong
Enroute to Mae Sai is the town and area known as Mae Chan.  About an hour north of Chiang Rai city, turn left at Mae Chan into the hills which brings you to Doi Mae Salong where former Chinese KMT have settled.  Following the years of trying to fight the Chinese communists during World War II, these families are now peacefully growing tea on the beautiful mountain slopes.

Phu Chai Sai Resort  is a lovely place to stay.
Traditional bamboo cottages overlooking the mountains with a pool and spa.
https://www.phu-chaisai.com/en/

Nearby places to visit:
Hikes and walks to nearby ethnic Lahu and Yao villages.
Enjoy tea around Mae Salong.

Golden Horse Monastery  (Wat Maa Tong)  where former Thai boxer turned Buddhist monk established a temple to look after the welfare of children while battling the drug trade.  Today you can visit this monastery to see the morning alms round of monks on horseback.

Buddha’s Lost Children: a beautiful documentary film was made in 2006:
http://www.buddhaslostchildren.com/about-the-film

Doi Tung Mountain and Mae Fah Luang Gardens and Villa
The last residence of the late and beloved Princess Mother of the Late Majesty King Rama IX.  A gorgeous place to visit and learn more about the Doi Tung Foundation which under Royal Patronage established sustainable agricultural and handicraft projects as an alternative to growing opium.
Learn more from Travel Fish.org:  Click Here.

Akha Swing Festival:  if traveling around end of August you may get a chance to see this fun event with several ethnic Akha villages around Mae Salong honoring ancestors for their upcoming harvest and taking to the giant swings!

Akha Mud House – guesthouse created by a local Akha Tour Guide at his village of Mae Salong Noi. 
Find it on Booking.com

More on the Akha Swing Festival:
Click HERE

Accomodations at The Triangle:
Imperial Golden Triangle Resort:
http://www.imperialgoldentriangleresort.com/

Elephants and High-end Luxury:
Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort
and Four Seasons Tented Camp: www.helpingelephants.org

Chiang Saen:
located along the Mekong south of the Triangle on the way to Chiang Khong.  This is the entry port for Chinese trading boats entering Thailand. Often overlooked, Chiang Saen was an ancient capital with interesting old chedis and sites to explore.

Crossing into Laos at Chiang Khong at the Lao Friendship Bridge
From Chiang Rai town to Chiang Khong, it is an approx 2- hour drive to the east.
Coming from the Golden Triangle-  approx 1.5 hours drive south along the Mekong via Chiang Saen.

There is also a direct comfortable GREEN BUS from Chiang Mai ARCADE Station directly to Chiang Khong if you do not wish to stopover in Chiang Rai city.  Approx 6 hours by bus.

Overnight in Chiang Khong (Thai side ) or Houixay (Lao side):

It would be more desirable to overnight in Houixay on Lao side prior to boarding boat downriver but if you cannot make it to bridge before the border closes, there are also lots of small traveler guesthouses in Chiang Khong and then get yourself as early as possible to cross the bridge as queues can be long.

Clear out of Thai immigration and a shuttle bus takes you across the bridge.

Lao Visas are available upon arrival for USD 35-45 and a passport photo. The visa cost may vary slightly according to nationality. 
Lao- E-Visa also available online for Friendship Bridge crossing:
https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

Shuttle transport is available from the bridge into Houixay where there are lots of simple but clean guesthouses.

Boats down the Mekong to Luang Prabang:

The beautiful 2-day journey down the Mekong from the Thai border to Luang Prabang
along a still beautiful stretch of river in Southeast Asia. So unplug and Re-charge flowing down the river.

See more on how to travel on the Shompoo Boat to Luang Prabang:
https://alamasia.net/mekong-journey-to-luang-prabang/

Laos Main Page: click here

Travel Gently and Live Consciously- Happy Journeys!