Chiang Saen

Travel Guide

The Mekong is a trans-boundary river in Southeast Asia. It is the world's 12th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,350 km (2,703 mi), and it drains an area of 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi), discharging 475 km3 (114 cu mi) of water annually. From the Tibetan Plateau the river runs through China's Yunnan Province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In 1995, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam established the Mekong River Commission to assist in the management and coordinated use of the Mekong's resources. In 1996 China and Myanmar became "dialogue partners" of the MRC and the six countries now work together within a cooperative framework. The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls in the Mekong make navigation difficult. Even so, the river is a major trade route between western China.
The Mekong is a trans-boundary river in Southeast Asia. It is the world's 12th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,350 km (2,703 mi), and it drains an area of 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi), discharging 475 km3 (114 cu mi) of water annually. From the Tibetan Plateau the river runs through China's Yunnan Province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In 1995, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam established the Mekong River Commission to assist in the management and coordinated use of the Mekong's resources. In 1996 China and Myanmar became "dialogue partners" of the MRC and the six countries now work together within a cooperative framework. The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls in the Mekong make navigation difficult. Even so, the river is a major trade route between western China.
At the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen, Thailand. It's where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. It's a beautiful and relaxed place, with very friendly people.
The Golden Triangle is one of Asia's two main opium-producing areas. It is an area of around 950,000 square kilometres that overlaps the mountains of three countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
A recent picture of Sob Ruak where the two rivers convene at the famous Golden Triangle in northern Thailand.

The Annual Vacation Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Book now
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

5 out of 5
229 Moo 1 T Wiang Chiang Saen Chiang Rai
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Chiang Saen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Hall of Opium and Golden Triangle Viewpoint ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
The staff and stay was fantastic! The elephants seemed a bit bored and it felt like they needed more time spent or less…I’m not sure. For the price the stay and space was exquisite. I’m not sure what to feel about the elephants and the treatment of them.

Reviewed on Jan 28, 2025

Get rates
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

5 out of 5
499 Moo 1 Tumbol Wieng Chiang Saen Chiang Rai
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Chiang Saen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Hall of Opium and Golden Triangle Viewpoint ...
10/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
Outstanding hotel. Wonderful service, unique experience, gourmet food, personal touches everywhere. A must visit resort

Reviewed on Dec 24, 2024

Get rates
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
View khong Hotel

View khong Hotel

3 out of 5
304 Chiang Saen Chiang Rai
$30 nightly
The price is $31 total per night from Feb 24 to Feb 25
$31 total
Feb 24 - Feb 25
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Chiang Saen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Golden Triangle Park and Golden Triangle Viewpoint ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Overall very good experience. A few things to be aware though... Staff don't speak much English, so get a translator app on your phone (e.g. Google Translator with offline Thai language pack) before you travel. Restaurant closes at 9PM, but there is a great place called Come Moon with live music. ...

Reviewed on Nov 19, 2025

View khong Hotel
See all 149 properties in Chiang Saen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tantawan Tented Camp Chiang Rai

Tantawan Tented Camp Chiang Rai

1 out of 5
614 Moo 10, Pa Teung Subdistrict Mae Chan Chiang Rai
Stay at this campground in Mae Chan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Pa Tueng Onsen Hotsprings and Choui Fong Tea ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. The only camp I have ever stayed in was Africa and it crazy expensive. Here we stayed 3 nights. The tent was super comfortable. The food was delicious and decent selection of Thai and Western. The staff was wonderful…I miss their smiles already.

Reviewed on Feb 21, 2026

Tantawan Tented Camp Chiang Rai
Oxy Resort Chiangrai

Oxy Resort Chiangrai

2 out of 5
412 Moo 10 Mae Chan ChiangRai
Stay at this villa in Mae Chan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Choui Fong Tea Plantation and Phrathat Nang Khoi are located ...
Oxy Resort Chiangrai
Treehouse and swimming pool

Treehouse and swimming pool

Mae Chan Chiang Rai
Stay at this vacation home in Mae Fa Luang. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attraction Wat Archan Thong Cave is located nearby.
Treehouse and swimming pool
See all properties in Chiang Saen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Golden triangle

Golden Triangle Park

Explore the great outdoors at Golden Triangle Park, a lovely green space in Sop Ruak. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Golden Triangle Park
Khao Luang cave, Phetchaburi, Thailand

Tham Khao Luang Cave

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Tham Khao Luang Cave during your travels in Chiang Saen. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Tham Khao Luang Cave

Doi Sa Ngo

You can learn about the history of Chiang Saen with a stop at Doi Sa Ngo. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Doi Sa Ngo

Hall of Opium

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Hall of Opium during your trip to Sop Ruak. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Hall of Opium

Golden Triangle Viewpoint

You can find out about the history of Sop Ruak when you stop by Golden Triangle Viewpoint. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Golden Triangle Viewpoint

Wat Phra That Chom Kitti & Wat Chom Chaeng

After visiting Wat Phra That Chom Kitti & Wat Chom Chaeng, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Chiang Saen. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Wat Phra That Chom Kitti & Wat Chom Chaeng

Things to do

Chiang Rai: Luxury Slow Boat to Luang Prabang 2D1N

Chiang Rai: Luxury Slow Boat to Luang Prabang 2D1N

$448
per adult
Chiang Rai: Luxury Slow Boat to Luang Prabang 2D1N
See all activities in Chiang Saen

Reviews of Chiang Saen

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 33%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The people are so polite in the rural areas of Thailand & less westernized which we prefer.

Cities near Chiang Saen

Golden triangle

Sop Ruak

Life in the Jungle 😎 #chiangrai #katiliya

Mae Chan

Tachileik from Mae Sai, Thailand

Mae Sai

panorama view of mae khong river and laos

Chiang Khong

Explore a world of travel with Expedia