| THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE - NORTHERN | | | | formations e.g. Big Cave, Fish Cave. Please visit |
| THAILAND. | | | | for more pictures and information. |
| The name evokes an impression that illicit drugs | | | | Of course, if you are a nature lover, go to the |
| are the activity of this area. Yes, it was once a | | | | mountains. Doi Tung - it has a sacred hilltop |
| notorious place. However, with strict enforcement | | | | Buddhist shrine built in 911 AD and it is believed |
| by various countries particularly the United States | | | | that the left collar bones of Lord Buddha is |
| and Thailand playing an important role of | | | | enshrined in the twin pagodas. On your way up, |
| eradicating the drug menace by educating the | | | | enjoy the panoramic view then drop in to visit |
| many hill-tribes to have a permanent settlement | | | | the Akha and Lahu hill-tribe village famous for their |
| instead of the slash and burn to grow crops. | | | | hand woven textiles and silver jewelries. Not |
| Schools were built to educate their children on the | | | | satisfied with one mountain? Venture to Thailand's |
| Thai curriculum and welfare. | | | | little Switzerland, the Doi Mae Salong, incidentally |
| Chiangrai is 785 km north of Bangkok and is in | | | | "doi" means mountain. It sits on an elevation of |
| the midst of mountains and hills. Across the great | | | | 6000 feet above sea level. The air is cool and |
| Mekong river is Myanmar and Laos, thus the | | | | refreshing throughout the year. The settlers are |
| name "Golden Triangle". All nationalities can cross | | | | ethnic Chinese descendants of the KMT nationalist |
| over to these countries easily by road, boats or | | | | army who took refuge in Thailand to escape |
| air with valid passports and visa. Being the first to | | | | from the Communist forces of Mainland China |
| establish into a city by King Mengrai of the Lanna | | | | more than 50 years ago. The settlement has its |
| Kingdom, it has many ancient ruins. There are | | | | own Christian churches, Buddhist temples, schools, |
| many activities you can indulge like visiting the | | | | locally produced oolong black tea, shops and |
| only handcrafted White Temple in Thailand; the | | | | restaurants. |
| ever changing flowers in the most beautiful | | | | You are welcome to experience first hand the |
| botanical garden; Hill-tribe, Opium or the National | | | | local foods, way of life and customs of the |
| museum; elephant riding; shopping for foodstuff; | | | | Northern Thai through a village home stay. |
| clothing; jewelries; handicrafts or ride on a long | | | | If you have enjoyed reading this article, please |
| propeller boat on the Mekong river; explore the | | | | forward it to a friend. |
| natural rock formation and caves with spectacular | | | | |