With the scorching heat like this, going outside would melt my fat away, so I'd rather sit here and write a review to cool down. I'm picking up a trip I took at the end of last year. Choosing a cool place (from what I encountered only in the morning, haha) to beat the heat, it's none other than the "Chiang Khan" trip. It's very easy to travel, just take a bus and you'll arrive in Chiang Khan...

Let's get right to it, a quick review in case anyone wants to go this year-end, so you can start saving money and planning your trip now.

* This review was paid for by the reviewer.
** Travel to the area on October 21-23, 2016 (travel on the night of October 20, 2016)
*** The approximate cost is included in the content...go by bus, return by plane (book during the promotion for 590 baht) eat to the fullest, including snacks from leaving home until returning home for 3 days and 2 nights, a total of 4,070, which I remember because I wrote it down.
**** The pictures in this post were taken by iPhone SE and Sony a5000 using VSCO and Phonto applications for editing.

Travel

Bangkok - Chiang Khan

This trip opened my eyes. I've lived near Rangsit since I was born and just found out that there's a Rangsit Bus Terminal not far from Future Park. If you take a songthaew from Future Park, get off at the overpass before the Royal Mint. The bus fare for the State Transport Organization (BKS) is 400 baht per person. You can also get to Phu Kradueng on this bus. When you buy your ticket, let the staff know that you're getting off at Chiang Khan. The seats are comfortable with electric massage and blankets are provided.

Chiang Khan - Loei Airport

For those who prefer to return by tour bus, the ticket booth is located near the municipal fresh market. As for us, we returned by plane. With the help of a friend who shared the cost of the fare, we used a taxi service from Loei City. The driver, whose name is Brother So, picked us up in Chiang Khan. He also offers tour guide services. The fare to the airport is 550 baht. Brother So's phone number is 062-5129558.

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We arrived in Chiang Khan at around 6:30 AM. The tour bus dropped us off at the Chiang Khan Municipal Fresh Market. If you're hungry, there are plenty of food options available, but we had a more important destination in mind. Our friend who arrived yesterday told us that the fog was thick on Phu Tok this morning, so we took the Skylab car to a motorbike rental shop. The Skylab car costs 40 baht, but if you're not in a hurry, you can walk. The motorbike rental shop is located on Soi 9, opposite the Luk Phochana restaurant. The rental fee is 250 baht per day.

If you're not comfortable riding a motorbike, you can hire a skylab instead. The price can be negotiated on the spot.

During the car rental, I kept the peaceful morning atmosphere of Chiang Khan. Alms giving with sticky rice is another activity that most tourists must do when they come here. But the picture I saw was of the villagers giving alms.

Phu Thok... a sea of mist that is very easy to reach

Phu Tok is about 7 kilometers from Chiang Khan. The asphalt road is flat with some rough sections and potholes. If you are riding a motorcycle yourself in the early morning or when there is fog, please be careful when driving.

Private cars are not allowed to be parked at the top of the mountain. There is a shuttle service available for 25 baht per person (round trip). At the pick-up point, there are food stalls selling food at reasonable prices. I had a warm rice sandwich while enjoying the mist. When I got off the shuttle, I could see the sea of mist right away. No need to walk far or get tired. Children and the elderly can also come up, but it depends on the weather conditions. Today, the weather in Chiang Khan is pleasant and not too cold.

The first day of the sea of mist

We arrived late, the sun was already bright, so the picture looked backlit.

Day Two of the Sea of Mist

The fog came as expected today. We rushed to arrive early in the morning to catch the sunrise. We were able to take clearer pictures of the sea of fog than yesterday because we arrived before the sun had risen. Therefore, the pictures were not as backlit.

Wooden House on Phu Thok Hill

After enjoying the sea of mist, it's time to find something to fill your stomach. Not far from the Phu Thok car service point, "Baan Mai Phu Thok" offers food and accommodation. It's a wooden house decorated with antique items and wooden chairs. We ordered fried eggs, porridge, Coke, and hot Ovaltine (self-brewed). Drinking water is self-service. This meal cost 130 baht.

Continuing to explore Chiang Khan by motorbike for a little while longer, the sun was already starting to shine brightly before nine o'clock, and the cool, comfortable air had disappeared.

At first, you might be confused by the alleys, but imagine the Mekong River, the Mekong River Road, and Sri Chiang Khan Road running parallel to each other in a horizontal line, intersected by small alleys, alleys 1-20, as shown in the picture.

Sleep... by the Mekong River in Chiang Khan

For those who have never been to Chiang Khan, the first thing that comes to mind is "wooden houses". Therefore, the concept for choosing accommodation this time is "a wooden house by the Mekong River, affordable and unique". I don't care about amenities, so I decided on "Baan Chan Kiang at Chiang Khan" located between Soi 13-14. There are only a few rooms available. As far as I remember, there are Chan Bon, Chan Klang, and Chan Lang rooms for 550 baht per night. They are fan rooms with shared bathrooms (except for Chan Klang room which has a private bathroom). We were aiming for the Chan Bon room because of the Mekong River view, but unfortunately... the room available was the Chan Lang room. In front of the house is a coffee shop with a cute sitting area. Walk out and you'll find the walking street.

I planned to leave my luggage and go for a bike ride before checking in in the afternoon. But the aunt hurried to clean the room. By 10:30 am, I was already lying in the room, feeling bloated. "The room on the lower floor"

The view from the room...if it's the upper balcony room, the view will be better.

Let's take a look at the shared bathroom. There are 2 rooms. I don't know if the bathroom is narrow or I have long legs, but when I sit down, my knees hit the door. It's a very compact bathroom.

...A house on the outskirts at night...

***Overall, I liked it. The price was cheap. The bedroom had a lot of dust and insects, but it was something we could accept. The coordination between booking and during the stay was smooth. The shared bathroom was clean, but one room was a bit narrow.****
Chiang Khan is the best!

Chiang Khan has a lot of food to offer. From here on, I will be sharing the food we ate during our 2 nights and 3 days trip. Some of the dishes I have never tried before. Let's begin!

Jit Som Tam

In Chiang Khan, there is a som tam with a strange name "Tam Dong Daeng", a som tam with vermicelli noodles squeezed into a shape similar to short, white lod chong. We ordered Tam Sua Dong Daeng, Khao Soi Dong Daeng, Som Tam Thai, Moo Yor, Nam Tok and friends. The Tam Sua with Dong Daeng vermicelli was a bit too sweet, but the others were spicy and delicious, matching the spiciness of the sun outside the shop. Coordinates: Chit Som Tam

Auntie Pat's Hotpot

This restaurant is located in the middle of Soi 10 and has been open for over 70 years. It is a long-standing restaurant in Chiang Khan. I went there specifically to eat "Jumb Nua" and I would say it's the most delicious dish of my trip. It looks like sukiyaki with crushed peanuts, pink sauce, bean sprouts and morning glory. It also has another name, "Lhong Song". They also have Khao Piek or Vietnamese Kuy Teav and desserts. The shop opens from around 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, but it might sell out before that, so hurry up because it's really delicious. A bowl of Vietnamese Kuy Teav and Jumb Nua costs 70 baht. Coordinates: Jumb Nua Yaipat

Som Tum Mae Toi

This is a hidden gem of a restaurant, recommended by locals for its delicious som tam (spicy papaya salad). Located in a secluded alleyway, it's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. Som Tam Mae Toi is a humble eatery with just a few tables, offering a shady respite under the tamarind trees by the Mekong River. The som tam here is truly authentic and flavorful, sure to satisfy your taste buds.

The recommended menu is "Kua Kling Moo (Spicy Stir-Fried Pork with Roasted Chili Paste) and Homemade Sai Oua (Northern Thai Sausage)". Kua Kling Moo is similar to a spicy minced pork salad with roasted peanuts, but you can adjust the spiciness level. However, I don't like peanuts, so I ordered Som Tam Thai with crispy pork instead on my second visit. Sai Oua is another favorite dish, perfectly dry and flavorful. I always order extra whenever I visit. Yum Moo Yor (Spicy Minced Pork Salad) at this restaurant has a unique taste compared to others. The dressing is black, and I guess it's made with soy sauce. Everything was delicious. Location: Som Tam Mae Toi

Khao Poon Nam Jaew Mae Bua Wan

Khao pun nam jaew is another dish that I tried for the first time in Chiang Khan. It's similar to noodle soup, but the noodles are made of rice vermicelli. It comes with pork offal and costs 40 baht per bowl. I didn't find this dish to be particularly special. It's good for a light breakfast, as the broth is easy to drink. However, one bowl wasn't enough to fill me up. TT Location: Khao Pun Nam Jaew Mae Bua Wan

Auntie Wae's Fermented Pork Salad

It was such a treat to have this spicy dish! I usually eat fermented pork salad, but Auntie Aew's version is something special. Her small stall is located in an alley next to the wall of Wat Si Khun Muang. The auntie is very lovely and speaks softly. After ordering, you can pick fresh vegetables from a plate and wait. I asked the auntie for a spicy version, and it was perfect! The rice was fluffy, topped with crispy fried eggs and chewy pork skin. One plate wasn't enough, so I had to take some home. They also have drinks available. Two plates of fermented pork salad and iced tea cost only 80 baht. Location: Auntie Aew's Fermented Pork Salad

Topped off with my favorite cup cakes (why do I have so many favorite dishes? I'm confused) I found them while looking for a shop that sells fermented sausage, I can't remember the location. This perfectly concluded my meal for this time.

Walking Street (Eat) Chiang Khan

In the evening, shops and people started to bustle along the Mekong River Road. We walked until we were sweating. Although there was fog in the morning, it didn't mean that the weather was always cool. However, the weather was not an obstacle to eating. There were many things for sale, such as T-shirts with the word "Chiang Khan" printed on them, or puns on the word "Loei", which is the name of the province, such as "Love it, love it", "Remember it". There were also winter clothes, handicrafts, art, and various souvenirs.

Chiang Khan whistles, choose the size you like that suits you.

We don't care about what was mentioned above. Our eyes are only looking for food.

Start with "Rice with stir-fried minced pork and basil with a fried egg"

Starting with the basics, haha. We came all the way to Chiang Khan to eat stir-fried basil with rice. We wanted something filling because we still had a lot of energy to use. But today was a long weekend, so the shops were full of tourists. It took several rounds of frustration before we finally got our stir-fried basil. Four plates of stir-fried basil and one cup of tom yum soup, including water, came to a little over 60 baht per person (split between four people).

Let's continue with "Gangster with stuffing"

The fried dough sticks with fillings are a must-try. You can choose between pork and banana fillings. We opted for the pork filling, which came with vegetables, minced pork, and glass noodles. It was absolutely delicious, with a perfectly sweet dipping sauce. The fried dough sticks were crispy and not oily, and the overall taste was reminiscent of fried spring rolls. Each piece costs 30 baht.

"Khao Jii" grilled over charcoal, eaten hot. Be careful, it's hot! 10 baht per skewer.

"Shiitake Pork Sausage" 10 baht per stick

Another menu I wanted to try was the "Mekong River Prawn Skewers" at 10 baht per skewer. But for some reason, I felt it was fishy, or maybe I just don't know how to eat it. I don't usually eat shrimp heads, and the heads of these prawns were bigger than their bodies. I really tried, though.

Another 10 baht menu, "Baked banana stuffed with young coconut". The baked banana is already delicious, but it also has young coconut and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a fragrant, sweet, and delicious appetizer.

Turning into the shop "Pad Thai Ploy Saeng" felt like I hadn't eaten Pad Kra Pao before. Did I really need to eat this much? I chose to follow my stomach rather than my heart. I was hungry after all...

The ancient recipe of Pad Thai with a radiant glow. There are some seats available for dining. The atmosphere of the restaurant is relaxing, but the weather is not so pleasant. We had Pad Thai while sweating profusely. The Pad Thai has chewy noodles and comes with medium-sized shrimp and crispy wontons. We ate it without any seasoning. Each dish costs 40 baht.

In reality, there are other snacks available, but they are quite ordinary, so I will stop here. It is very difficult to find trash cans on the walking street. You have to collect your trash in a bag and throw it away at your accommodation, or ask a shop to dispose of it for you. We don't know if there are no trash cans or if we just couldn't find them.

...This day isn't over yet... ... Hehehe Must be hit by the spinning story

This is a bar where you can relax by the Mekong River. They sell food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages. The alcoholic drinks have cool names and unusual appearances. The names are so strange that I wondered what they were, but the staff gave me a brief explanation that helped me understand. They have hot liquor, blended liquor, cocktails, beer, and more. Some of the drinks are served in syringes, test tubes, or buckets. We ordered a "Pan Pak," which is blended liquor served in a beer bottle. You can choose the flavor of the blended liquor and the type of beer.

Ta-daaaa... a light menu but a large size, I like it. Lots of straws, anyone have more straws than this? Hmm? ... This cup costs 198 baht.

The office is open every Friday.

This must be a shop... I don't know what kind of shop it is, but I know it's the strangest one in Chiang Khan. It's like they're not trying to sell anything. The shop is strange, the people are strange. At first, we thought it was a cafe and a souvenir shop. The first time we went, P'Nim, the owner, told us that she wasn't open today because she had guests. Come back later. (P'Nim told us later that it was a subtle way of telling us to leave. We thought we wouldn't come back, but we were wrong ^^) The next day, we went again and met P'Games, another owner. He asked us, "Hey, what's your name?" We laughed and thought to ourselves, "What kind of owner talks to customers like that?" "If you want to eat something, go make it yourself." Wow! Another peak. But we liked it. P'Games came to teach us how to make coffee. We could put anything we wanted in it, so we got a hot chocolate with honey. How many people greet someone they just met with a hug?

Our coffee and cocoa are made by our brother Games. If it's not delicious, it's not his fault because we made it ourselves. Brother Games said so, haha.

The coolest seating area is under the Thunbergia grandiflora archway, next to a small, self-made pond and a set of peony-patterned chairs made by Nim. When the Thunbergia grandiflora emits a faint fragrance, accompanied by the sound of running water, as the owner intended, this corner is the first place visitors will turn to sit and relax.

Our travel plans changed. Instead of going to Phu Ruea, we decided to stay in Chiang Khan for another night. We listened to P'Game and P'Nim tell stories about Chiang Khan, mentioning many people we didn't know. In the evening, there was a small gathering with the owners of nearby houses. But that's what made us see Chiang Khan from many different perspectives. We learned that Chiang Khan still has a group of cool people who love houses, antiques, and preserving the stories of Chiang Khan. The stories gradually unfolded before we parted ways that night. P'Game turned off the house lights and told us to look up at the sky. We saw "Chiang Khan under the stars." Chiang Khan is cool because of people like them. We got back to our room almost at two in the morning.

In reality, what does this shop sell? In concrete terms, it sells drinks, breakfast, and special menus from Chef Games. There are also cute souvenirs made by Chef Nim, such as postcards and cool T-shirts. But the intangible thing that we can feel is friendship. Thank you for the hug and this perspective of Chiang Khan.

Don't be surprised if the house doesn't look like the pictures in the review. The accommodation changes its appearance all the time. This seems to be normal for this house. "Asawin Phrechanakhan", the train of Chiang Khan.

"The Knight of Phra Nakhon" is a tram that looks like a train. When we went (October 2016), it was still under construction. I found out about it from Game again. Not only did I bother him at home, but I also followed him to work. The starting station of the train is at the Chiang Khan Police Station. The idea is to make the police station a check-in point and a tourist attraction, creating a good relationship between the police and the people. From what I heard from the train drivers, the Chiang Khan police station officers wear old-fashioned police uniforms. They look really cool when you search them on Google. The service will be free! We are not sure about the service route. The "Knight of Phra Nakhon" should be in service now. Has anyone ever been on it? Please share your photos.

Riding a rented motorbike along the Mekong River

Aside from the sea of mist and the walking street, Chiang Khan also has other attractions, such as temples, riverside communities like Ban Pha Baen, and Kaeng Kut Ku. We rode a motorcycle to Ban Pha Baen following the advice of P'Nim and P'Games. We didn't know what we were going to do there, but we went anyway.

Kaeng Kut Ku

Located about 3 kilometers from Chiang Khan town, it is a rock rapids in the middle of the river. The best time to visit Kaeng Khut Khu is from February to May because it is the dry season and the islands are clearly visible. We went in October and Kaeng Khut Khu looked like this.

A must-try souvenir is the candied coconut, which comes in various grades. We prefer the soft type, which is very delicious.

Path to Tham Pha Baen Temple

According to N'Nim and N'Game, Ban Pha Baen has a beautiful sunrise viewpoint, so we rode our motorbikes to see it for ourselves. On the way, we saw the "Green Chiang Khan".

The rough route I remember is that opposite the Pha Baen School there will be a village. Ride inside.

The village opens up to a view like this, but you might not be able to see the sunset because the mountains are blocking it.

Riding a motorbike back, I came across a sign pointing the way to Tham Pha Baen Temple. Out of curiosity, I followed the sign. The path was very mysterious. Some sections were dusty and there were no other vehicles on the road, not even oncoming traffic. I almost gave up several times, but I thought to myself, "I've come this far, I have to see it through to the end."

Finally, we arrived at a very quiet temple. We felt a bit scared and wanted to go back as soon as we arrived. We stood by the motorbike, turning around until the monk told us that we had arrived and should go and worship the Buddha first. So we walked up the stairs to worship the Buddha in the cave. Inside, there were Buddha statues to worship, but women were not allowed to go up. We didn't know that Chiang Khan also had a cave. We didn't stay at the temple for long because we had to hurry back to catch the sunset.

Watching the sunset at the Mekong River

Chiang Khan is a town located on the banks of the Mekong River. A must-visit for a relaxing atmosphere by the river. If Phu Tok is the place to watch the sunrise, the sunset must be seen by the Mekong River. Behind the house, the edge of the field is a bit overgrown with trees. Walking along the Mekong River for a short distance, there is a point to watch the sunset without anything blocking it.

That's all for our story in Chiang Khan...

We didn't feel that Chiang Khan was as slow as we had heard. Perhaps it was because our daily lives are too rushed. It depends on how you look at it... For us, Chiang Khan is a spicy city, especially with its wide variety of food that we couldn't finish eating. There are cool people who make Chiang Khan a city worth exploring, and there is beautiful nature that is perfect for relaxation. Everything blends together perfectly...

Thank you for reading this far.

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