Thailand

In the far north of Thailand, the Golden Triangle is a paradise for adventure lovers, trekkers, and those interested in tribal culture. Here's a rundown of the main attractions at this destination!

Introduction

Illegal opium trafficking and associated criminal practices have long plagued tourism in the Golden Triangle. Not anymore. By trusting local travel agents, one can safely explore this rural and mountainous region. Nestled at the confluence of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, traversing the Golden Triangle opens doors to an unexplored and unknown world. Collect viewpoints along the Mekong River. Trek through high plateaus perfumed with poppies and wildflowers. Visit the Akha, Hmong, or Karen tribes, whose language, lifestyle, hairstyles, and traditional attire embody rich cultural heritage. An unusual destination for honeymooners, the Golden Triangle offers hiking and cultural experiences.

History

The Golden Triangle refers to a historical area in Southeast Asia at the junction of the Laotian, Thai, and Burmese borders. Three words immediately come to mind when speaking of this place: opium, folklore, and underdevelopment.

The region's economy has long been tied to opium, which was introduced in the mid-1920s. The drug was exchanged for gold or weapons. China controlled much of this illicit trade until the Communist Party seized power. Yunnan Province underwent a cleanup: drug traffickers were executed, addicts were treated in rehabilitation centers, and poppy farmers were forced to switch to other cash crops. This shifted the opium epicenter from southern Chinese villages to the Golden Triangle. Alongside Afghanistan's Golden Crescent, it became one of the world's major opium-producing regions in the latter half of the 20th century.

From northeastern Myanmar, opium and heroin extraction plants are transported by donkeys and horses to Thai refineries. Most of the finished products are then distributed along the border to various towns in northern Thailand and further transported through an extensive distribution network to Bangkok for international markets.

Despite governmental efforts to curb drug trafficking, results have been mixed. While tea, corn, and coffee plantations thrive in northern Siam, signaling a decline in opium, poppy cultivation remains predominant in Myanmar.

Today

Traveling to the Golden Triangle is a dream for globetrotters and backpackers alike. This vast rural area of 950,000 square kilometers embraces its adventurous side with river landscapes, high mountains, and verdant hills. It satisfies adventure seekers with its cultural melting pot. The warmth, kindness, and hospitality of the locals will warm your heart. Besides visiting extraordinary ethnic villages, you'll support sustainable tourism, whose revenues benefit participating families. Indeed, the vast majority of opium growers live below the poverty line.

Sightseeing and activities in the region

The Golden Triangle boasts picturesque and authentic old towns. Tourists are encouraged to visit Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Saen. The golf capital, Chiang Mai, blends tradition and modernity incredibly well. Chiang Rai serves as the gateway to the Golden Triangle. Located along the Mekong River, it introduces visitors to northern Thailand. Buddhist or Khmer ruins transport you to another era. In Chiang Saen, you're already at the doorstep of Laos and Myanmar.

Religious Heritage tour

The city of Chiang Sen features high-quality pagodas:

Wat Phra That Doi Pu Khao

This 18th-century Buddhist monument is among Thailand's oldest of its kind. Perched beautifully on a rocky hill, it sits just behind the Golden Triangle View Point. The panoramic view of the Mekong and its surroundings is worth capturing.

Wat Phra That Chedi Luang

A stone's throw from the National Museum, this temple deserves attention. Built around 1331 and expanded 184 years later, only the stupa survived the ravages of time. No other religious monument in Chiang Rai rises higher than this 88-meter-high stupa, with a circular base of 24 meters ending in a conical summit. It wholly reflects Lanna art!

Wat Phra That Pha Ngao

Photographers shouldn't miss this icon of Chiang Saen, with its immaculate white stupa built on a rock overlooking the Mekong River and Laos' neighboring towns. Inside the temple, invaluable literary heritage—tales, poems, and Buddhist philosophical treatises from around the world—is reverently preserved in wooden chests. Each country has its own chest with a distinct sculpture. The third peculiarity of the temple is spiritual. Villagers visit Wat Phra That Pha Ngao when they fall ill. They believe that worshiping the Buddha's relics inside promotes recovery.

Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong

Founded over 530 years ago, this historic temple charms with its flamboyant Viharn, accessed by a flight of stairs lined with multi-headed nagas. The three-segment roof plan is characteristic of old northern Thai temples. Inside the Viharn, the majestic 1.2-ton Buddha is a tourist highlight. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the stupa, whose plaster has faded.

Mekong River Cruise

Cruising the Mekong is a top attraction for pleasure seekers in the Golden Triangle. Drifting on its waters, passengers traverse landscapes of varied countryside hues: the green of rice paddies, the red of poppies, the yellowing of tea flowers… To ensure passengers enjoy themselves, boatmen make frequent stops. Take this opportunity to witness monk almsgiving ceremonies, stroll through local markets, taste fruits or excellent produce, or even visit a ceramics workshop. Even if you're not the romantic type, the sunset over the river will captivate you.

Cultural Heritage

• Chiang Sen National Museum: The museum's rich collection makes it a must-visit in the city. Notable pieces include musical instruments, paintings, terracotta ceramics, and ancient artifacts dating back over 15,000 years. A definite stop during your stay in Chiang Sen.
• Opium Museum: Located near the Viewpoint, tourists are encouraged to visit the Opium Museum. It's two kilometers away in the village of Sop Ruak, near Chiang Rai. Enjoy the exhibition on the stages of opium production: how it's cultivated, harvested, and extracted from plants before being converted into a hallucinogenic product. You'll learn about gang leaders who enriched themselves in this shady business. As part of its educational mission, the prestigious museum also raises awareness about the dangers of opium consumption, both in terms of health and carbon footprint. Entrance fee: 2.8 €.
• Golden Triangle viewpoint or Golden Triangle Park: Located outside the city center, this famous spot is a key part of Chiang Saen's tourist landscape. Not for its futuristic boat-shaped building design. Nor solely for the golden Buddha in a lotus position overlooking it, though these add a romantic charm. The reason tourists flock to the Golden Triangle Viewpoint lies in its location on the banks of the Mekong. From this vantage point, Laos, Myanmar, and the surroundings of Chiang Saen merge into a memorable perspective found nowhere else.

Meeting Hill tribes

Hiking provides an opportunity to meet hill tribes and immerse yourself in their folklore. From Chiang Mai, take the road to Karen villages as you climb the hills. Akha villages await north of Chiang Rai, on the way between Mae Chan and Doi Mae Salong. Endless tea gardens herald the realm of the Lahu. Also, visit the Karen village of Ruamit and Hmong villages near the Laos border.

The Karen

Settled in the region since the Mon-Khmer empire, the Karen make up a significant portion of the Golden Triangle's ethnic groups. Their diet includes fruits and wild vegetables gathered by women in the forest. Despite mass Christianization by British missionaries in the 20th century, the Karen have not abandoned their ancestral faith. If you encounter an elderly person dancing wildly during your visit to a Karen village, don't be surprised: they call this a shamanic trance. They are nature worshipers, terrace rice cultivators, and incorrigible betel nut chewers.

The Akha

Unlike their Karen neighbors, the Akha are not accustomed to receiving strangers. Thus, they enthusiastically practice the law of hospitality whenever the opportunity arises. Upon entering an Akha village, you'll be struck by bamboo huts lining the path. Women wear brightly colored attire. In terms of livelihood, the Akha practice slash-and-burn agriculture, a tradition since ancient times. Agricultural extension workers still need approval from tribal leaders to introduce crop covers and soil rotation.

The Lahu

Approaching a Lahu hamlet, you may pass through tea, cotton, or vegetable herb plantations. The tribe forms a sedentary rural society. Speaking with lineage authorities, you'll learn the history of the Lahu, who were once proud tiger hunters. They often wear capes in black or yellow with delicate embroidery. During your village reconnaissance, you can participate in local activities such as feeding backyard pigs, picking tea, or threshing rice. The cultural richness of these people inspired ethnologist David Bradley's book "Lahu Dialects" (1999). Each New Year, the Lahu pay homage to Aue Za, the god of their ancestors, by sacrificing livestock and offering harvest products. Unforgettable!

The Lisu

Descendants of Tibetan immigrants scattered across Southeast Asia, share cultural traits with the Han people of Yunnan Province, China. The identity of this person is expressed through music and the wearing of colorful wrist, ear, and back jewelry to display financial or social status. Celebrate the folk festival of the New Year, witness the spirit invocation ritual, buy textiles like the famous shoulder bag, etc. You'll surely enjoy this cultural immersion!

When to visit the Golden Triangle?

The Golden Triangle is part of northern Thailand, where the climate is much rainier than in the Gulf of Thailand. The period from April to November is marked by continuous rainfall. Advice: Choose your travel dates between the last month and the first two months of the year. Even during the cool season, don't forget to bring rain gear.

How to get there?

Foreign nationals wishing to visit the Golden Triangle should fly to Chiang Rai. From there, they can take a regional bus to Chiang Saen, a three-hour journey. Ticket price: around 50 baht, or 1.4 euros.

For a gentle introduction to the region and to move at your own pace, it's best to use motorcycle, scooter, or car rental services in Chiang Rai.