Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a city in northern Thailand, in the mountainous province of the same name. They city is near the borders of Laos and Myanmar (formerly Burma). Wat Phra Kaew is a royal temple that once housed the jade Emerald Buddha and now displays a replica. Nearby, the Navel City Pillar is a monument made of more than 100 Khmer-style pillars. Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is a museum showcasing Lanna artifacts. City temples include the ornate, 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and the ancient Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong with its tall golden pagoda. Southwest of town is Wat Rong Khun, an unusual white temple, designed by a contemporary artist. It features works combining Buddhist teachings with popular cultural icons. Nam Tok Khun Kon National Forest Park is known for the towering Khun Kon waterfall, and is home to civets, wild boar and muntjac deer. North of the city is Doi Tung mountain, where a royal villa overlooks the landscaped Mae Fah Luang Garden. To the east, Phu Chi Fa mountain is known for its dramatically steep cliff.