It is a province full of natural and cultural wonders where tourists looking to avoid the crowds can visit local mountain tribes, spot exotic wildlife or discover the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Burma come together, giving rise to the ancient center of opium trade and production in the world, a reality that had a lot of influence on the cultural practices and lifestyles of the region. It has been inhabited since the 7th century, but it was in 1262 when King Meng Rai established it as the first capital of the Lanna kingdom, although the capital was later moved to Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai has lived in the shadow of its neighboring province for many years. Today, it is endowed with abundant natural and historical attractions where you can visit everything from ruins of ancient settlements and Buddhist sanctuaries to beautiful landscapes with mountains as a backdrop. Today, Chiang Rai competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction.
