I am now in Chiangrai.

I had a chance to go on a trip. I went to Chiangrai on 17th-20th February, 2018 for my work on 17th-18th of this month. So I take this chance to travel after that.

I was here at Chiangrai airport. It was decorated in Thai tradition.

17^th February, 2018

In the first day after work, I went downtown to see light of the city in a dark night. In this period, Chiangrai had an annual festival called "Winter flower festival." It organised 13 times before at the same place called "Suan Tung". Although, some of the flowers had withered, the overall garden was still very beautiful. There were many categories of flowers arranged in different figures such as ladies, hearts, and some words. Many tourists came here to take photos. I had to wait in line in some places to take scene.

Flowers were arranged as figures of beautiful ladies.

Besides, the concert was helded here. A singer on the state entertained audiences very well. She tried to have the audiences participate her on the state. It was fun to see this free concert.

The concert was very crowded.

Along the way through Suan Tung, there was a strange tree roots which grew up naturally on the wall as a picture below. It was something amazing.

After wandering through Suan Tung, I walked through pedestrian street which was a large night market. Many merchants sold clothes, food, and drinks cheaply. Many people bought things along the ways. This market was open only in Saturday and Sunday.

18^th February, 2018

In the second day morning, I went to Wat Rong sue ten, a new temple built with Thai traditional art. The art is created by the craftsmanship named Mr. Salanok, a Chiang Rai local artist. He is a pupil of A. Chalermchai Kositpipat who is an applied art creator. The unique color used is blue. The pattern is in blue with golden patterns motifs.<img src="/f/15473/5aa02793a4a52a195c49d536.jpg">

I took a rest for a while at a café called “Chevit dhammada” and went to work after that.<img src="/f/15473/5aa027c4a4a52a195c49d537.jpg">

At night, I went downtown again to the “Chiangrai night Bazaar” which helded only on Sunday night. There were many local goods which looked very weird but unique. Moreover, a crowded bar was located in the central area. Many foreigners came to relax themselves here.

After that, I walked along the way to the Chiangrai clock tower. Luckily, It was about 9:00 PM which was the time of the Chiangrai clock tower show. A villager told me that the show occurred everyday on 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 PM.The clock tower changed its color beautifully. It was a piece of art with the Buddhist. It is a treasure of Chiang Rai created in commemorating the Queen Sirikij. The construction started in 2005, designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat.

The color of the clock tower was changing.

19^th February, 2018

The third day of the trip is my full day traveling. Today I got up earlier than usual and took a grab taxi to the Chiangrai airport. I rented an eco car with AVIS. I drove my car northward to many tourist attraction sites by Google map.

Firstly, I drove to Wat Huai Pla Khang. This temple is influenced by Guanyin Chinese tradition. The temple is located on the hill. The highlight of this temple is "Lucky Dhammapada", which is a 9-storey pagoda. Chinese Lanna Art is mixed in the red roof and statues of dragons on both sides of the stairs. It is surrounded by 12 small zodiac temple, Wat Huai Pla Khang is a temple that the villagers respect and believe that if anyone has come to visit the place like heaven.

Secondly, I went along Paholyothin Road heading to Rai cha choui Fong, the landmark Point where everyone goes to take a picture with a panoramic view of the tea plantations. From here, I see the area around with tea plantations that bend along the hilly terraces. There isa very beautiful Choui Fong Tea-Cafe’ on the top.

The green tea: so delicious!

Third, I drove along hills heading to Doi Tung Palace. Doi Tung Palace was built on December 26, 1987, when HRH Prince Srinagarindra was 88 years old. She built a house at Doi Tung, developed forest plantation on high mountain called Doi Tung Development Project. Doi Tung Development Project was initiated by cooperation from all government agencies such as the Royal Forest Department, the Royal Irrigation Department In addition to reforestation and rehabilitation of the area, there was also a vocational training to improve the quality of life of hilltribes on Doi Tung. It consisted of the Akha, Lahu, Chinese, and Chinese tribesmen, while maintaining their traditions. It is open daily from 06.30 to 18.00 hrs. Admission is 90 baht.

Next to the palace, There is the garden named Mae Fah Luang in front of Doi Tung Villa. It has an area of 10 rai which become a garden of cold winter flowers such as Salvia Petunia Begonia roses, flowers, auspicious trees, perennials and more than 70 species of wood sculpture. It is open daily from 06.30 to 18.00 hrs. Admission is 90 baht.

Inspirational Hall is an exhibition building near the palace that tells the story of each member of the Mahidol tokens that inspire each other. The story will reflect the philosophy of work and works resulting from the long vision of the royal family for Thai people have a better life. There are 7 exhibition rooms. Open daily from 08.00-17.00 hrs. Admission is 90 baht.

Fourth, I continued driving along hills heading to Phra That Doi Tung. Phra That Doi Tung is the most famous relics of Chiang Rai. It is beautiful and is located in a mountain, about 2,000 meters above sea level. Doi Tung relics is a golden pagoda with two pairs in the shape of a castle with a small round bell and set on square base Clay Tile. The symbol of the pagoda is an elephant (Kunchorn.) In addition, there is an annual festival helded at the Doi Tung Phra That. Buddhists from both neighboring Thailand and neighboring countries such as Chiang Tung, Shan State Myanmar Luang Prabang Vientiane people, come to worship every year. In the winter, the atmosphere around the relic is especially beautiful because it is covered by white mist all over.<img src="/f/15473/5aa029eea4a52a195c49d541.jpg">

Fifth, I continued driving along hills heading to Doi Chang Mubarak Arboretum or Mae Fah Luang Arboretum. This place has many rare species of flowers, especially Millennium Roses. The variety of plants from many countries in Asia, Europe, North America and Australia are gathered here. It was planted until the beautiful flowers here. In the early January – February, it became one of the most beautiful forest because of flower bloom.<img src="/f/15473/5aa02a34a4a52a195c49d542.jpg">

It was about 16:30 PM now. I went back to the Black house Museum

The house is full of trees and consists of 36 houses with different characteristics. These houses are not built for living, but are built for the collection of various items. Patterned carve is one of the most beautiful places to show Lanna unique and valuable art preserved in Chiang Rai.

It is nearly sunset. I went to eat at a food house near the Black house Museum. Finally, I went to a night market in town. But I did not find any items to buy. Hence, I went to my place to take a rest. Although I felt tired, I felt really happy for my trip with my eco car.

.

20^th February, 2018

It was the last day of my trip. I went intown to see two temples. The first one was Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), located on Trirat Road, Chiang Rai city center. This temple has discovered the Emerald Buddha or the Emerald Buddha statue. It is enshrined at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) in Bangkok. At present, Wat Phra Kaew, Chiang Rai is the place where Jade Buddha was built, which was rebuilt on the occasion of HRH Princess Srinagarindra. The 90th Birthday Anniversary. The last one was Wat Phra Singh, a priceless temple of Chiang Rai. It has been preserved "Phra Phuttha Sihing" or "Phra Sing," Buddha sacred statue.

Wat Phra Kaew

It was 9:00 AM. I went southward to Wat Rong Khun. This temple was designed and created by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who created a passion for creating unique works of art. He mixed dis idea with the Lanna Dharma, both in harmony with the glass stucco and large wall painters. The characteristic of the temple is in white like a heaven. Stained glass is a shining silver. The Great Naga with a strange ivory is amazing. The murals inside the temple are all handmade arts.

Next, I went to Boonrawd or Singha Park which is the farm of Boonrod Co., Singh Beer in the same route as Wat Rong Khun. It is a beautiful agricultural tourism. The Boonrod Farm is a colorful and beautiful winter garden with more than 600 rai of farmland.

It was nearly mid-day, I went to the airport to get to Bangkok, my home town. This is one of my wonderful trip in many years.