My tour guide Jimmy drove me around the countryside in a nice Toyota one day as we rocked out to his Thai rock and roll CD's.
Driving northwest from Chiang Rai into the mountains, after the hill tribe village we went through the village of Mae Salong and the hill above it (Doi Mae Salong) where a wonderful, peaceful Buddhist wot (temple) is located. This area was my favorite of the day.
From there then back to the flatlands, north to the Myanmar border at the city of Mae Sai (too big for me). Then southeast along the border to Sop Ruak where there is a giant golden Buddha outdoors along the river (very cool). This is the Golden Triangle area where the Mekong River comes in from the north and meets the Thai border river, creating a spot where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at one spot.
Then down the river to see the old Buddhist temple ruins at Chiang Saen and back to Chiang Rai.
