Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Need to Know
BEST TIME TO VISIT
November to February when the weather is cool
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TIP
Study the culture, customs and traditions before you go
For further cov-
erage,
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Chiang Rai Province Don't Miss List
BY PARISUDHA SUDHAMONGKALA (MOO), DIRECTOR OF THE MIRROR FOUNDATION
1 PHU CHI FAH
Phu Chi Fah is an amazing viewpoint on the border with Laos. It is best visited in
winter, when the valley below is covered in early morning mist and the sky is
clear as the sun rises. It is popular with Thais, but Westerners have yet to dis-
cover it in great numbers. It is a two- to three-hour drive from Chiang Rai. Arrive
by 4am to hike to the top before sunrise.
2 EATING THE LOCAL DISHES
The local food is delicious and different from standard Thai dishes. Try some of
Chiang Rai's local northern Thai restaurants such as Lung Eed Locol Food (
Click here
). Buying locally also helps the sustainability of the rural lifestyle.
3 HILL-TRIBE TREKKING & HOMESTAY
Many tourists come to Chiang Rai Province to visit minority hill-tribe villages.
Homestay programs here provide an understanding of the different cultures,
hardships and community spirit. Mirror Foundation (
Click here
), among others,
organises ecotours to hill-tribe villages and helps educate tourists about the
foundation's social justice efforts, including basic education, obtaining Thai cit-
izenship, preventing human trafficking and promotion of handicrafts.
4 COUNTRYSIDE SCENERY
