Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 759

AKHA HILL HOUSE
An authentic and rewarding way of spending time in a hill-tribe village is offered by the
Akha Hill House ( T 089 997 5505, W akhahill.com; B250), situated just 23km from Chiang Rai
(with free pick-up) among stunning mountain scenery and within walking distance of
waterfalls, hot springs and other hill-tribe villages. There's a wide variety of bamboo, wooden
and adobe-style bungalows, most with view-filled balconies and some with charming
open-air bathrooms; all have access to hot showers, whether en suite or shared. From here you
can either trek independently or take an organized tour. It's also possible to get here from the
Tha Ton-Chiang Rai boat (see below), disembarking at the hot springs on the south bank of
the river near Huai Kaeo waterfall and walking for 3km.

10

Wat Phra Kaeo
he Emerald Buddha, hailand's most
important image (now housed in
Bangkok; see p.711), resided at Wat Phra
Kaeo on hanon Trairat for 44 years from
1390. A beautiful replica, millimetres
smaller than the actual statue, which was
carved in China from 300kg of milky
green jade, can now be seen here. here's
also an impressive museum of Buddhist
paraphernalia, the Sangkaew Hall,
with informative labels on religious
practice in English.

place to find out about the local hill
tribes before going on a trek; there's a
non-profit-making handicrafts shop here,
too. he PDA also offers treks and tours,
as does Chat House (see opposite).

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By plane Thai Airways, Nok Air and Air Asia fly from
Bangkok to Chiang Rai's airport (11 daily; 1hr 15min), from
where taxis run into town (8km south), for about B300.
By bus Those coming from Chiang Mai or further afield
will arrive at the new bus station, 6km south of town
opposite the shopping centre, Big C. Tuk-tuks will drop
you at your guesthouse for around B100. The cheapest
option is to take a songthaew between the new and
old bus stations (B10) and then walk. Buses from local
destinations such as Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen and
Mae Sai arrive at the old bus station, off Th Phaholyothin
in the centre.
Destinations

Wat Rong Khun
It's well worth renting a motorbike and
heading to the stunning Wat Rong Khun
(daily 8am-5.30pm; free), 13km
southwest of Chiang Rai on the west
side of Highway 1, where a zealous,
renowned local artist has dedicated his
life to building a dazzling all-white
stucco temple with fragments of reflective
glass that sparkle in the sun. Check
out the disturbing mural artwork inside
the viharn.

Bangkok (at least 20 daily; 11-12hr); Chiang
Khong (every 20min; 2-3hr); Chiang Mai (every 30min;
3-4hr); Chiang Saen (every 30min; 1hr 30min); Khon Kaen
(6 daily; 12hr 30min); Khorat (6 daily; 13hr); Lampang
(every 30min; 4hr); Mae Sai (every 20min; 1hr 30min);
Mae Sot (2 daily; 10hr); Nan (daily; 6-7hr); Phitsanulok
(30 daily; 7-8hr); Sukhothai (3-4 daily; 8hr).
By boat Longtails to and from Tha Ton dock on the north
side of the Mae Fah Luang Bridge, northwest of town,
from which tuk-tuks cost around B50 to the centre.
Tourist information TAT, 448/16 Th Singhakai ( T 053
717433, E [e-mail]).

Treks and tours
he Chiang Rai region offers a range of
treks , from gentle walking trails near the
Kok River to tough mountain slopes
further north towards the Burmese
border. Most treks include staying in
hill-tribe villages, elephant riding, hot
springs and waterfalls. An average
three-day trek, with an elephant ride,
costs B2500-4000. he museum
(Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat & Sun
10am-6pm; B50) at the Population and
Community Development Association
(PDA), 620/25 hanon Tanalai ( T 053
740088, W pda.or.th/chiangrai), is a good

ACCOMMODATION
Baan Bua Guesthouse 879/2 Th Jet Yot T 053 718880.
Congenial and well-run establishment arrayed around a
surprisingly large, quiet and shady garden, set back off
the road. The very clean and attr active single-storey rooms
come with hot showers. Double B300
★

Baan Rub Aroon Guesthouse 65 Th Ngam Muang
T 053 711827, W baanrubaroon.net. In a quiet, pretty
garden, this lovely early twentieth-century mansion has
polished teak floors and immaculate rooms with a/c and