Chiang Rai

Founded in 1262, Chiang Rai city is the capital and name sake of Thailand's most northern province and often known as the "gateway to the Golden Triangle." Most travellers use Chiang Rai as a base for trekking in the northern mountain range towards Burma where many of Chiang Rai's old Chinese and Hilltribe villages can be found. The tribes that can be found in the mountains and by the Kok River include the Akha, Yao, Blue and White Maeo, Karen, Hmong, Lisu, Lahu Shi and Skaw. In town the Hilltribe Museum and Eduction Centre has a slide show describing the 8 main tribes, their customs, style of dress and animist belief system.

The city has some lovely Wats dating back hundreds of years, surrounded by tranquil gardens to relax in.