Chiang Saen
Chiang Saen
4
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4.0
227 reviews
Excellent
76
Very good
109
Average
38
Poor
3
Terrible
1
pianocello
Shah Alam, Malaysia1,917 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
This is like a mini version of Ayutthaya or Sukhothai. This is worth the trip from Chiang Rai and does not have as many tourists. The itinerary should be the Chiang Saen National Museum, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pasak and Wat Phra That Chom Kitti.
Written 6 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria Gasem Huanbutta
Pathum Thani Province, Thailand225 contributions
Jul 2022
For those who travel to the golden triangly or not... this visit is a must. There are the remains of and old capital, the walls, the temples, the moat and also a small, little, neglected museum that is worth a visit.
Chances of amazing photos are undeniable
Chances of amazing photos are undeniable
Written 5 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo-Ann
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia17,192 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
No time to walk around much but this town looked pretty neat with parts of the old wall surrounding it. Only managed to take the old Wat Chedi Luang, the oldest bell stupa in Chiang Saen. This stupa is about 9000 years old but after the earthquake in 2014, it now has a new top! Its body is still original.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albertouru
Aventura, FL4 contributions
Jul 2011
If you are looking for a Guide with good spirit go to Surin from Blue Elephant Thailand Tours, he will take you to the best places, at the best rates, and in a comfortable car, we went with our family for 2 days and we can spend more time
So if you are looking for a excellent guide call Surin
email: rinlong55@hotmail.com
So if you are looking for a excellent guide call Surin
email: rinlong55@hotmail.com
Written 12 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vern d
Chiang Saen, Thailand630 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
from a resident, moved here twice; sharing info;
joe cummings,lonely planet founder, described Chiang Saen as a 'sleepy town'; when i asked him about that he said 'was a long time ago';
the small city , on the mekong river, self-described as ' the gateway to the golden triangle', the village of which is 8 km north, is where the smarter tourists stay overnights;
then day trips to the heart of the golden triangle;
as of 2 years ago there were 53 guesthouses here (more hotelish than homestays);
there are 3 special temples in the immediate area; among the 71 listed 'temples' (which i often call 'just a pile of bricks')
1) wat paang ngao; 4 km south of the main city
2) wat chom kitti , in the village of the same name on the west fringe of the city
3) wat cheddi luang ; inside the city walls
the city exists in the current location due to the mighty mekong ( technically called Mae Khong) and the resultant port accesses;
the main street drives the city altho we now have a bypass road on the city fringes;
weakness of the city, per se, is western food or more specifically, the lack thereof, the district has a couple places but they are not in the city;
the biggest compliments to the city, buttressed by my own experiences and observations, are that people tend to spend more time here than they originally planned; if the planned 2 day/nights, they stay 4, etc;
my take is the area is good for a quality 3 days; locals can do it less time but factor in the hit-and-miss of non-locals;
not obvious is the night-face that occurs; many mobile vendors come out at night (seating is available) where there is essentially nothing to see in the daytime;
along the river as well as the center of town on the main street;
often playing games with the other locals: to the question of 'what is the biggest problem in Chiang Saen city ?'; their answers usually boil down to 'we don't have any'
joe cummings,lonely planet founder, described Chiang Saen as a 'sleepy town'; when i asked him about that he said 'was a long time ago';
the small city , on the mekong river, self-described as ' the gateway to the golden triangle', the village of which is 8 km north, is where the smarter tourists stay overnights;
then day trips to the heart of the golden triangle;
as of 2 years ago there were 53 guesthouses here (more hotelish than homestays);
there are 3 special temples in the immediate area; among the 71 listed 'temples' (which i often call 'just a pile of bricks')
1) wat paang ngao; 4 km south of the main city
2) wat chom kitti , in the village of the same name on the west fringe of the city
3) wat cheddi luang ; inside the city walls
the city exists in the current location due to the mighty mekong ( technically called Mae Khong) and the resultant port accesses;
the main street drives the city altho we now have a bypass road on the city fringes;
weakness of the city, per se, is western food or more specifically, the lack thereof, the district has a couple places but they are not in the city;
the biggest compliments to the city, buttressed by my own experiences and observations, are that people tend to spend more time here than they originally planned; if the planned 2 day/nights, they stay 4, etc;
my take is the area is good for a quality 3 days; locals can do it less time but factor in the hit-and-miss of non-locals;
not obvious is the night-face that occurs; many mobile vendors come out at night (seating is available) where there is essentially nothing to see in the daytime;
along the river as well as the center of town on the main street;
often playing games with the other locals: to the question of 'what is the biggest problem in Chiang Saen city ?'; their answers usually boil down to 'we don't have any'
Written 28 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Captain_Rob_D
Calgary, Canada4,689 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
This small town on the banks of the Mekong River is warm and friendly. Not a bustling metropolis like Bangkok, but a much calmer place to relax and discover the history. We loved dining from the market on the banks of the river, and eating catfish and tilapia roasted on an open fire with salt making the skin crispy and tasty.
The city has a lot of history, including the recently ended opium trade, and the local hilltribes add colour and energy to the place. The Hall of Opium museum is a top pick to visit as it covers the history of why the opium trade originated in this area and what the Princess Mother, the late mother of the present King Rama IX, did to help stop this problem. There is so much to do here, we liked our hotel had free bike rental included and so we made many excursions by bike around and discovered things that will always remain in our pleasant memories of Chiang Saen.
The city has a lot of history, including the recently ended opium trade, and the local hilltribes add colour and energy to the place. The Hall of Opium museum is a top pick to visit as it covers the history of why the opium trade originated in this area and what the Princess Mother, the late mother of the present King Rama IX, did to help stop this problem. There is so much to do here, we liked our hotel had free bike rental included and so we made many excursions by bike around and discovered things that will always remain in our pleasant memories of Chiang Saen.
Written 11 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carolynf869
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam108 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
If you want to experience authentic Thailand, as well as have the opportunity to visit historical temples, Chiang Saen is definitely worth a visit. There is not anything extremely flashy or modern for those who are seeking that type of thing, but there is a nice national museum worth visiting, and temples of all kinds can be found all over the city (check out Wat Pa Sak right outside of the city walls and Wat Chedi Luang on the main street...but there are also so many others that are fun to explore). Chiang Saen is right along the Mekong River, so after visiting the temples and wandering around the market on the main street, you can enjoy dinner from street vendors along the river. Chiang Saen is very close to Golden Triangle, so you can visit both in the same day, but I very much prefer Chiang Saen as it is less touristy.
Written 6 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WileyCoyote2
Aberdeen, UK376 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Easily accessible by Green Bus.
Lots of old temples,artifacts and great views of the river.
Market town but has all you need : inexpensive restsurants with tasty food,banks to exchange into baht,local food market (Sundays close off 2 streets and general market)
Even a small Tesco/ Lotus
Lots of old temples,artifacts and great views of the river.
Market town but has all you need : inexpensive restsurants with tasty food,banks to exchange into baht,local food market (Sundays close off 2 streets and general market)
Even a small Tesco/ Lotus
Written 6 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oonoiookIA
Iowa City34 contributions
Dec 2018
Chiang Saen is a nice old town. There are many temples.
We visited temples here on the way back from the golden triangle to Chiang Rai.
Good to visit.
We visited temples here on the way back from the golden triangle to Chiang Rai.
Good to visit.
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelBug42
Yamba, Australia39 contributions
Feb 2019
A short local bus ride from Chiang Rai, Chiang Saen provides a glimpse into traditional Thai life and gives an understanding of the role of the mighty Mekong in history. We stayed at a lovely little place on the river and enjoyed watching the barges and daily action. The Opium Museum is worth a stop and my children were mesmerized (and a little scared) by the graphic stories and interactives. The town itself is what I consider a typcial small Thai town, not a lot in the way of tourist activities, but a worthwhile visit anyhow.
Written 19 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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