Chiang Rai
The quieter neighbor of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a land of
outstanding natural beauty, where visitors looking to avoid the hordes
can visit remote hill tribes, spot exotic wildlife, and check out the
golden triangle, the former center of the world’s opium trade.
Chiang Rai has been inhabited since the 7th century, but it was
not until 1262 that King Meng Rai established it as the first capital of
the Lanna Kingdom. The capital was later relocated to Chiang Mai and
since that time Chiang Rai has lived in the shadow of its neighboring
province, though for tourists this is a good thing.Today, Chiang Rai is a
traveler’s paradise, endowed with abundant natural attractions and
antiquities. Attractions range from ruins of ancient settlements and
Buddhist shrines to magnificent mountain scenery and hill tribe
villages. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai,
jungle trekking is a magical experience; explore the mountains of the
north along various hiking trails, many of which access the villages of
diverse hill tribes groups, many of whom maintain their traditional
lifestyles. Chiang Rai town, which tends to be a little more ‘laid back’
than its more popular neighbor, now competes with Chiang Mai as a
tourist attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for tourists
wanting to leave their troubles behind.
Chiang Rai, the former capital of the great Lanna Kingdom, is a
fascinating province filled with cultural and natural wonders, including
the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos, and Burma come together; an
area that was once the hub of opium production, a trade that had much
influence on cultural practices and lifestyles. Chiang Rai had stayed
off the tourist radar for many years, its people enjoying very leisurely
development and mostly traditional, rural lifestyles. Until this day,
entire clans live together in bamboo houses and each village has its own
individual character. Recently tourism has boomed in Chiang Rai, where
visitors have come to explore the pristine natural beauty of the
countryside and immerse themselves in the indigenous culture, including
those of a variety of different hill tribe communities. Fortunately for
tourists, Chiang Rai is also a center for community development
projects, helping rural villagers develop their attractions without
adversely affecting their natural and cultural assets.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น