Chiang Rai Historic Sites

The ancient city of Chiang Saen is situated on the banks of the Mekong River. It is thought to be built around 1328 by King Sean Phu when he decided to relocate the capital of Lana to this location and then renamed the city after himself.

The city has witnessed many rulers and administrations during the conflict of the Burmese and the Siamese. King Rama I, after completely driving out the Burmese in 1804, leveled the city so as to decrease its value in the eyes of Burma.

In 1881, King Rama V ordered the descendents of the original citizens to re-occupy Chiang Saen.

Today, it serves as a halting spot for many tourists visiting Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. One can easily spot many ruins of moats and walls that were built in ancient times.

Wat Chedi Luang is a temple with a large chedi which may have served as a main temple around 650 years ago. The National Museum makes a good starting point for visitors wanting to explore the area.

Wat Pa Sak is a temple located just outside the western gates of the city. A forest of teak trees encloses it. Wat Pharathat Chom kitti has recently been restored and gives a splendid view of the city along with the river.