hello

advice needed

we are going to CR for a week or so

if you have been or are living there, could you please write 3-5 places to go

except pu see faa (have heard about it already - but do not know the prices yet)

natural views needed, no elephants (have rode twice), kayaking would be great

can you recommend travel agencies or they are all the same, with equal prices and service?

it would be amazing if you write some prices (what to expect)

thanks a lot

we have been in Chiang Rai Doi Imhanon - it was 800 B per person. CR prices are around this number, or...?

p.s. no personal car ))

In Jed Yod Street and in the vicinity of the Wang Come Hotel there are a number of small travel agencies and places offering tours. My personal experience of this type of establishment is that their prices are fairly similar. Unfortunately I'm not able to comment on how much these would be not having used one for several years.

Most of our recommended tours take in the Mekong river and Golden Triangle area, with the mountains, which include the towns of Mae Salang and Mae Fah Laung also popular.

A trip to Mae Sai, including a border crossing to Tachilek, offers shopping opportunities.

Possibly less well known is a tour taking you to the national park at the Khun Khon waterfall with visits to hills tribes villages in the region.

There is a large and rather crowded city about 200kms to the south that appeals to some people for reasons that escape me now but is a little distant for a day trip.

There is a large and rather crowded city about 200kms to the south that appeals to some people for reasons that escape me now but is a little distant for a day trip.

It was placed 200 km south so that we have some privacy from the marauding north.

I've just recalled that Rimping comes in handy on occasions.

A trip to Mae Sai, including a border crossing to Tachilek, offers shopping opportunities.

Thanks a lot, sceadugenga!!!

one question - I have a student visa (did not make multy-entering)

will it be stopped while crossing the border to this famous market???

Not sure, you may need to enquire at the visa end of the forum.

And whatever you do don't forget the White temple just a few kilometres south of C/Rai, went there today and had the pleasure of meeting the originator of this product, just beautiful and free, what more could you ask for.

The Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) is indeed worthy of a visit.

The shopping is also very good there with a range of arts and crafts, silk goods, clothes and the usual collection of souvenirs.

And look at the new cloctower designed by the same person as did the white temple. Rather attractive especially at night but very hard to read the time.

The Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) is indeed worthy of a visit.

The shopping is also very good there with a range of arts and crafts, silk goods, clothes and the usual collection of souvenirs.

I'm actually more partial to the Black Village and its grounds. Perhaps it is the darkness of my heart that draws me there. It is on the Chiang Rai Google map for those who don't know where it is.

I've yet to experience it's delights.

I'll make a visit the next time I'm looking for somewhere to take visitors.

Two birds with one stone so as to speak.

Edit: I have, of course, paid a de facto visit through your excellent photographs

Are there hot springs near Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai or Pai that are accessible by public transport so one can go by himself, not using tourist agency, still having no personal car?

oops

oops

Try renting a scooter, or bike if you are fit, and make a day of it. Not too far out of CR but don't know about public transport. Have never used it.

The only springs I know are out past Doi Hang, about 20kms, at the Hilltribe village. You'd need to rent a motocy I think. Or the river boat....that would be an idea.

The area around the hot springs past doi hang has recently been reshaped. Everything looks more natural now. Unfortunately physically enjoying the hot springs (bathing) has become almost impossible (At least it was about 9 months ago). For that you need to use the commercially exploited hotsprings (which don't have a very nice setting in my opinion).

You can get a magnificent 360° view of the area around chiang rai from Rice box hill. It's pretty hard to find the pathway up the hill, and you need to be careful climbing up the worn out steps, but it's all worth it. I lived in Chiang Rai for almost 4 years and this is my personal favorite.

Could you give directions, maybe mark it on the interactive map please Tokker?

I don't know that one.

If you cross the border into Tachilek, you will loose your student visa. You will first have to drop by the Immigrations Office at Mae Sai (around 3 km from the border - please see google map in Chiang Rai forum) and pay for a re-entry permit (1,000 baht). You will also have to pay 10 US$ or 500 Baht at the Burmese border (suggest you pay in dollars). Usually, immigrations police do not hassle foreign tourists. Just don't buy porn. Pirated Music CDs or DVDs galore at Tachilek. Also a duty free shop at the border.

one question - I have a student visa (did not make multy-entering)

will it be stopped while crossing the border to this famous market???