After breakfast, explore the wonderful Wat Phra That Lampang Luang temple, just a brief drive from Lampang, and marvel at the elaborate detail of the decorations and beautiful Buddha statues. Continue north, stopping briefly at Phayao Lake for a coffee break, and continuing to the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai to visit Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate, all-white exterior, with embedded pieces of mirror, gives it a resplendent appearance, which makes it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to Chiang Rai for lunch.
Afterward, head to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. This natural wilderness gained unwanted notoriety in the Sixties because of the abundant opium cultivation in the area. Then enjoy a 45-minute boat trip around the Golden Triangle with a stop at Don Sao Island, which forms part of Laos. Visit the 212 House of Opium and stroll around its rare collection of opium paraphernalia, such as weights, scales, and pipes. Learn the history of this drug and the devastating effect its trade has had on local communities. Return to your hotel.
Overnight stay at The Legend Chiang Rai in a Superior Studio.
Lampang Luang temple