Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mixes central (the lotus pillars) and northern (the guardian lions) Thai stylings. It's fronted
by a superb mural of the Jataka tales.
Wat Mahathat
(Th Srichiang Khan; daylight hours)
Wat Mahathat, in the centre of town, is Chiang Khan's old-
est temple. The
bòt
, constructed in 1654, has a new roof over old walls with the faded ori-
ginal mural on the front.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Activities
Most guesthouses arrange boat trips to Kaeng Khut Khu or further afield, and the moun-
tain scenery makes them highly recommended. Rates swing with petrol prices, but the
typical 1½-hour trip costs around 1000B for up to 10 people.
Another option is to kayak the river with
Mekong Culture & Nature Resort
( 0 4282 1457; per
person 1600-2000B, minimum 4 people)
, 1km upstream from town. They also have accommoda-
tion.
WORTH A TRIP
CELEBRATING THE BOVINE AT BUN BÂNG FAI
The little-known
Phi Kon Nam
festival in Ban Na Sao, 7km south of Chiang Khan, is part of the village's rain-
inducing Bun Bâng Fai, and coincides with Visakha Bucha in May or June. Locals believe that the souls of their
cows and buffaloes wander around the village after they die, so to show respect, the villagers don wild bovine-in-
spired masks and colourful costumes to commune with them.
Sleeping
Chiang Khan's popularity means hotel owners don't need to price their rooms reasonably.
But, most places are quick to discount on weekdays and in the low season. You can also
usually save money by staying on a soi (Soi 11 has many choices) rather than along the
river road. And note that preserving the historic character of buildings means shared bath-
rooms (unless stated otherwise) and thin walls.
GUESTHOUSE
$
Chiangkhan Riverview Guesthouse
