Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The dictionary definition of a sleepy river town, Chiang Saen is the site of a former Thai
kingdom thought to date back to as early as the 7th century. Scattered throughout the
modern town are the ruins of this empire - surviving architecture includes several
chedi,
Buddha images,
wí·hăhn
pillars and earthen city ramparts. Chiang Saen later became
loosely affiliated with various northern Thai kingdoms, as well as 18th-century Myanmar,
but didn't become a Siamese possession until the 1880s.
Today huge river barges from China moor at Chiang Saen, carrying fruit, engine parts
and all manner of other imports, keeping the old China-Siam trade route open. Despite
this trade, the town hasn't changed too much over the last decade, and because of this is a
pleasanter base than nearby Sop Ruak.
Chiang Saen lies across the Mekong River from the Lao town of Ton Pheung, but only
locals are allowed to cross here.
