The Golden Triangle remains a favourite amongst travellers. This joining point between the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar is located in the North Thailand province of Chiang Rai. This popular stopping destination on our Mekong River cruises guarantees to be a memorable part of any Thailand-based trip.
Due to its location, the Golden Triangle started life as a hotspot for opium growing. The trade was so rife that around 70% of the heroin in America originated from this area at one point. But, that’s a history which is far behind the Golden Triangle we see today, with only the Hall of Opium museum remaining as a testament to that past.
Nowadays, Chiang Rai has become the most popular tourist destination within Northern Thailand, an accolade which locals have enhanced using impressive landmarks which impress hordes of tourists each year.
Golden Triangle and Golden Buddha
Top Attractions Near The Golden Triangle
The Golden Buddha
From the moment your tour arrives in the Golden Triangle, there are spectacular views, starting with the golden Buddha statue. Greeting visitors from a boat by the shore, the impressive scale of the golden Buddha is a pretty accurate representation of the amazing sights on offer during your visit.
The White Temple - Wat Rong Khun
Just a twenty-minute ride outside of our Chiang Rai cruise drop off is the iconic White Temple, arguably the most recognisable and popular destination of any Golden Triangle tour. Known by locals as Wat Rong Khun, this sparkling white modern temple comes complete with plenty of unique quirks and features which are sure to stick in the minds of anyone who views it.
White Temple at Wat Rong Khun
The Hall of Opium
All of our Golden Triangle stop-offs also come complete with a visit to the Hall of Opium. This museum combines multimedia exhibitions to portray every angle of the Golden Triangle opium story, including opium wars, smuggling and effects, then finishing with examples of how residents rehabilitated their living conditions.
The Golden Triangle Cruises
You can expect to see the Golden Triangle on a fair few of our cruise packages. Our Laos Mekong cruise, for instance, involves a Golden Triangle river crossing on the tenth and penultimate day, while The Mekong: Laos to China cruise package involves an entire afternoon exploring the Golden Triangle. Our Halong Bay, Red River and Laos Mekong cruise would also see you stopping off here during your 22nd day while en route to Chiang Sean. If the Golden Triangle has caught your eye, then, don’t hesitate to book up for one of our fantastic cruise packages today.
