When we are exhausted from work, study, tired of the hustle and bustle, or the same old daily routine, our solution to this problem is to pack our bags and go on a trip. This trip was also born out of this boredom.
Let's get down to business. When we started feeling bored, we decided to find a place to travel. And we came up with this plan to visit "Chiang Khan," a small, classic district in Loei Province.
The first night began with a journey from Bangkok. We boarded a bus at Mo Chit operated by Air Muang Loei, which cost 502 baht per person (we got a 10% discount for booking a round trip). The bus departed at 2 pm and took approximately 9 hours to reach Chiang Khan. We arrived around 5 am, feeling groggy from sleeping the entire way. After getting off the bus, we stood there dazed and confused for a moment before an uncle approached us and asked where we were headed (he was a driver for a skylab, a type of three-wheeled taxi). Based on our research, we asked him to take us to Phu Tok first. The round-trip fare was 100 baht per person. He dropped us off at the entrance of Phu Tok and gave us his phone number so we could call him when we were ready to be picked up. We bought tickets for a pickup truck ride up the mountain for 25 baht each and were soon at the summit of Phu Tok before sunrise. The atmosphere was incredible, with perfect weather and a breathtaking sea of fog welcoming us.
We explored Phu Tok before sunrise. The view, the mist, and the cool morning air made us feel truly refreshed.
As we sat and admired the sea of mist, we waited for the sunrise. The pre-dawn light was already beautiful, but as the sun rose, the scene became even more breathtaking. It made me realize that if I had continued my old, busy, and boring life, I would never have witnessed such a sight.
The morning sunlight amidst the sea of mist is so beautiful that it makes you forget the fatigue of the journey.
The crisp air, wildflowers, a sea of mist, and the sunlight—a truly harmonious scene.
The thicker the fog, the more beautiful it becomes.
If you enjoy taking photos, this is the place to capture stunning images. You won't be disappointed (as long as the weather is good, haha).
Picturesque views from various angles at the Phu Thok Sea of Mist.
Although it wasn't yet freezing when we arrived, there were quite a few tourists. As the sun grew stronger, tourists gradually began to descend from the mountaintop, and we followed suit.
After descending from Phu Tok, we contacted the same uncle to pick us up and take us to the accommodation we had booked a few days prior. If you plan to visit during peak season, it's highly recommended to book your accommodation well in advance, as most places tend to be fully booked. Upon checking in and freshening up, we started feeling hungry. We ventured out to the walking street in search of food. However, as it was still early morning, not many shops were open. We managed to find a stall selling fried eggs, which we enjoyed as a light breakfast.
After a satisfying meal, it's time to rest and recharge after the journey.
After a long and restful sleep, we woke up at 3 pm feeling refreshed and energized. We decided to take a walk along the Mekong River and soak up the afternoon sun.
The banks of the Mekong River in Chiang Khan are well-maintained, offering a pleasant riverside promenade. Some visitors choose to cycle along the path, enjoying the scenic views.
The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.
At the end of the riverside path, there is a place to sit and relax while enjoying the view of the Mekong River and the clear sky. Take a break and then continue your journey.
Across the river is Laos. Locals say you can take a boat to visit Laos, but we didn't go. While waiting for the sun to set, we took photos of the riverside scenery. There was no need to rush.
We sat and took photos until the sun began to set. Turning to the sky, the sunset over the river was truly magnificent.
As dusk settled, we strolled along the Chiang Khan Walking Street, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. The street came alive as darkness enveloped the town, with an increasing number of people browsing through the stalls. From souvenirs to local delicacies, the street offered a plethora of options for shopaholics and foodies alike.
Chiang Khan Walking Street offers a wide variety of delicious street food options. Food enthusiasts will not be disappointed by the abundance of tasty treats available. Among the must-try dishes are "Kung Sieb," grilled river prawns skewered on sticks, which exude an enticing aroma and boast a delightful flavor. We indulged in several skewers ourselves. Another highly recommended dish is "Pla Thong Ko Yai Sai," a deep-fried fish cake stuffed with various ingredients. We found ourselves returning for multiple servings of this delicacy.
There were many other delicious foods available, such as candied coconut, rice noodles, rice vermicelli with spicy dipping sauce, dried bananas, and Mieng Kam (a traditional Thai appetizer). We were so focused on eating that we didn't take pictures of everything.
As we walked around, we started to gather some souvenirs. We continued to stroll and take pictures before heading back to our accommodation for the night. This concludes our first day in Chiang Khan.
The next morning, we woke up at 5:00 AM, showered, and got dressed. The first activity of the day was to offer sticky rice to the monks. Some accommodations provide sets of clothes for this purpose, but for those who don't have them, there are shops selling them and setting up mats for us to sit on while offering alms.
The morning alms offering period sees a continuous stream of monks from various temples arriving from 6 am until late morning, around 7 am. Locals also come out early to offer alms.
Another interesting aspect of Chiang Khan is the wooden houses, buildings, and guesthouses along the walking street. These structures are built with wood to blend in with the traditional atmosphere of Chiang Khan. This is another charm that makes Chiang Khan a popular tourist destination. Many guesthouses are decorated in a vintage style, making them visually appealing. Here are some pictures to showcase their beauty.
The morning mist over the Mekong River creates a refreshing atmosphere, inviting visitors to stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the cool breeze.
We strolled leisurely from the cool morning into the warming afternoon, returning to our accommodation, Baan Rommitr, for a light snack. We then indulged in a lunch of sticky rice, papaya salad, and grilled chicken (which was devoured before we could even take a picture!).
After a satisfying meal, we relaxed and digested our food for a while. As it was the last afternoon of our trip, we decided to make the most of it and head out for a walk in the sunshine.
The afternoon atmosphere in Chiang Khan is remarkably peaceful, almost eerily quiet. There are hardly any pedestrians, and only a few souvenir shops are open.
Finally, before heading back, after walking all the way to the end of the walking street, there was a cozy cafe called "Chiang Kan Tea" located near the Mekong Riverfront. I decided to stop by for a bit.
As the sun set on our final day, our trip came to an end. We took a final stroll to soak in the atmosphere before returning to our accommodation to prepare for our return to Bangkok. We had booked our return bus tickets for 7 pm.
Our "Chiang Khan" trip concluded with a sense of contentment, thanks to the diverse experiences offered by this classic Thai slow-life town. It recharged us with the energy to continue our daily lives. We highly recommend this destination to anyone who hasn't visited yet. You won't be disappointed.
Finally, I would like to leave you with the travel and photography page, https://www.facebook.com/journeygallery/ for your reference. For those who enjoyed this review or found it helpful for your travels, please share it with others. If I have the opportunity to travel to other places, I will come back and share my experiences with you again. Goodbye!
Note: This review is a rewritten article from my old Pantip post. So, if you have read or seen pictures from this review before, don't be surprised.
Journey Gallery
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 11:19 AM