The region around the Golden Triangle is one of the most picturesque and pristine landscapes in Thailand. Here you will find cloud-clad mountains, riverside-lined riversides and stunning temples. The north of Thailand is rich in history and crafts. Here also live different hill tribes (including Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Hmong and Akha) whose villages can be partially visited. The Golden Triangle is the border area of the states of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, which is divided by the mouth of the Mekong and Ruak.

The journey is Golden Triangle via Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai has an international airport. From Bangkok you can arrive the fastest by plane. The flight takes just under 1.5 hours and costs between 30 and 100 €, depending on travel time. From Chiang Rai different tours and trips to the Golden Triangle are offered.
 
Arrival from Germany:
Direct (non-stop) flights to Bangkok from Germany are available from Lufthansa and Thai Airways.
In addition, the Emirates airlines (Etihad, Qatar and Emirates) offer direct connections, but with a stopover in their respective capitals: Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai, Doha.

Air China and China Eastern usually offer very cheap flights via Beijing or Shanghai to Chiang Rai. In part, the stop in China is over 10 hours. But in China / Beijing there is the possibility to stay up to 72 hours visa free.

You can also rent a car from Bangkok Airport. The drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport takes about 10.5 hours (about 800 km). Here are all the usual lenders to choose from (Thai Rent a Car, AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz). Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way to book the car already in Germany.

Arrival from Bangkok:
There are 2 airports to choose from in Bangkok (Don Muang, which mainly serves domestic flights and some international flights, and Suvarnabhumi International) from where you can either fly to Chiang Rai in about 1.5 hours - or you can choose the bus route:

From Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the City Line (Airport Rail Link) to Phaya Thai. Here you change to the BTS Skytrain to Ekkamai. In Ekkamai the bus terminal continues to Bangkok until "Mo Chit". Or you change from the City Line to the BTS Sukhumvit (green line) and get off at Mo Chit Station. Here you change to the bus of the North Route (999) to Chiang Rai. The ride lasts about 12.5 hours and goes overnight.

Public buses run every hour from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) directly to Chiang Rai. Air-conditioned first-class buses cost around 600 baht. The travel time is about 13 hours, as there are public buses, several stops are approached. Also during the rush hour in the morning and in the evening there are often traffic jams on the streets to Bangkok / out of Bangkok.

The most beautiful way to get to Chiang Rai is by train. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the bus / public van (line 551) to Hua Lamphong Station. From here we continue with the State Railway of Thailand train to Chiang Mai. Here again change to the bus "Green Bus" to Chiang Rai. The total journey time is about 15 hours, of which the train journey takes about 13 hours.

Arrival from Don Muang Airport:
From Don Muang you can go by train (State Railway of Thailand) to Chiang Mai. Here change to the bus "Green Bus" to Chiang Rai. The total journey time is about 14-15 hours, of which the train journey takes about 13 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Golden Triangle Park: On the Thai riverbank is the village of Sop Ruak.
Opium Hall: The Opium Hall is located in Wiang. It is a museum where you can learn about the history of opium cultivation (opium poppy production) and the trade. (Opening hours from 8.30 am to approx. 19.00 pm)

There is also a second museum, the "House of Opium". This is closer to the village center Sop Ruak (Wiang) near the jetty. (Opening hours from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm)

Golden Triangle Buddha: Directly on the banks of the Mekong River, there is a temple with a large, golden Buddha statue. From here you have a good view across the river to the other side of the river (Laos). Boat trips to Laos are offered by Sop Ruak. Here you can visit a small duty free market (Don Xao Market).

• Boattrip in Longtail Boat: 500 THB
• Tour in larger covered boat 1,500 THB
• Visa Laos (for 1 hour) 40 THB

Chiang Saen: Old Town: Chiang Saen is a larger town. Among other things, the Wat Athi Ton Kaeo Historic Site can be visited here. This park has a number of historic buildings, chedis and 15th-century statues. Distributed throughout the city are some worth seeing older wats (Wat Pa Sak, Wat Phra That Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Non). There is also the Sin Sombun Market (a food market), which offers fresh fish, meat and vegetables as well as regional cuisine and a variety of dishes.

Phayao Lake: one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in Thailand (located between Chiang Rai and Lampang)

Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple): The temple is richly decorated and decorated. Its walls (inside and outside) are painted in an extraordinary blue color. In the prayer room is a large white Buddha and beautiful paintings on the walls. On the temple complex is also a large blue-golden chedi.
Address: หมู่ที่ 2 306 Maekok Rd, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Admission: free, opening hours Temple: 06.30 o'clock - 19.00 o'clock

Mae Khachan: Hot Springs / Geyser and Mineral Bath (Admission: 200 THB, Address: Moo 6 Pha Soet Phatthana Village Doi Hang Chiang Rai 57260, Thailand) and Sericulture Market (Address: Mae Chedi Mai, Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai 57260, Thailand). In several places hot water fountains shoot skyward.