 The Golden Triangle is about 9 kilometres from the Chiang Saen old town to the north along the road parallel to the Mekong River. The area is locally referred to as "Sop Ruak " , where the Mae Khong meets the Ruak River. This is where the borders of three countries, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, come together. There are remains of many ancient places and structures attesting to the area having been settled by people in the past. It is also where various legends on the Lanna ancestors originate.
Around So p Ruak are boat rental services for viewing the scenery around the Golden Triangle. In addition, boats can be hired to cruise from So p Ruak along the Mekong River to Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong which takes around 40 minutes and 1 hour respectively.
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Hall of Opium Golden Triangle Park, the Tourism Authority of Thailand joined the Mae Fah Luang Foundation in preparing the Golden Triangle Park and Hall of Opium. Funding for initial construction has been provided through a loan from the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund of the Japanese Government, to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The Mae Fah Luang Foundation began research for the exhibition in 1994. An initial exhibition shoreline prepared by the research team and approved by the board of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation provided the basis for the architectural design of the exhibition space and building The Ministry of the People's Republic of China has provided technical assistance for the section on the Opium War.
Chiang Saen was an ancient town located on the bank of M ek ong River. The district can be reached by taking Highway No. 110 from Chiang Rai for some 30 kilomet re s. Then take a right turn into Highway No. 1016 and proceed on for another thirty k ilometres. Originally called Wiang Hiran N akhon Ng oe n Y ang, it served as the main town before King Mengrai established Chiang Rai as the capital in 1262. Traces of old double city walls and many other antiquities still remain, both within and outside the district town.
The Chiang Saen National Museum is where knowledge can be sought concerning archaeology, settlements and history of the town. There are replicas of the community and scores of ancient relics including Lanna - style sculptures, Buddha statues and inscription stones from Phayao and Chiang Saen itself. In addition, there are exhibitions of indigenous art objects of the Thai Ya , Thai Lu and other hilltribes. These items include musical instruments, ornaments, opium-smoking accessories, etc. Open Wednesday-Sunday from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon.
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Wat Phra That Chedi Luang, is located in Chiang Saen old town and was built by King Saen Phu, the 3 rd ruler of the Lanna kingdom in the early 13 th Century. Ancient sites include the bell-shaped, Lanna-style principal C hedi which measures 88 metr e s high with a base 24 met re s wide, the largest such structure in Chiang Saen. There are also remains of ancient Vihan and Chedi.
Wat Phra Chao Lan T hong is located within the city wall, and was built by Prince Thong Ngua, a son of King Tilok k arat, the 12 th ruler of Lan n a, in 1489. A 1,200-kilogram Buddha statue was cast. Named the Phra Chao Lan T hong, it has a l a p width of 2 met re s and is over three met re s high. Another statue called Phra Chao Thong T hip was also cast in brass, and in favours the Sukhothai style.
Wat Pa Sak , is about one kilomet re t o the west of Chiang Saen in Tambon Wiang, and was built by King Saen Phu in 1295 when three hundred teak trees were also planted, hence the name Pa Sak (Teak Woods). It was then the residence of the patriarch. The temple's chedi is of the beautiful Chiang Saen architectural style and the exteriors are elaborately decorated with designs. The chedi itself measures 12.5 meters tall with a base of 8 meters wide.
There are also several ancient sites outside the city w all, including Wat Phra That Chom Kitti, about 1.7 k ilometres f rom town, and Wat Sangk h a Kaeo Don Han, where sketches on brick slabs tell stories about the various lives of the Lord Buddha.
The Chiang Saen Lake is a large natural reservoir with scenic surroundings. Large flocks of waterfowls immigrate to the site during winter. About five kilomet re s from the district town on the Chiang Saen-Mae Chan route is a left turn. Proceed on for another 2 k ilometres to reach the site. Phra That Doi Pu Khao is located on the hill just before the Golden Triangle, and is believed to have been built by a king of Wiang Hirannakhon Ng oen Y ang in the mid-8 th century. Remains of antiquities still visible today are only the V ihan and crumbled C hedis.
About 4 k ilometres from Chiang Saen on the road to Chiang Khong is Phra That Pha Ngao. There is a bell-shaped C hedi standing on large boulders. Nearby is a V ihan where several old Chiang Saen-style Buddha statues are enshrined. There is also a viewing point to enjoy scener y of the M ek ong and of Chiang Saen itself.
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