Chiang Khan District : Beautiful City of Memories

    
 “Chiang khan” is a very small and peaceful district in the northern part of Loei Province, Northeast Thailand, 579 km away from its capital, Bangkok. The area stands alongside the banks of the Mekong River separating Thailand from Laos.In the past, Laotian people, mainly Luang Prabang immigrants, moved to Chiang Khan bringing along their traditions and culture. Chiang Khan and Luang Prabang can almost be considered as  twin cities, culturally, linguistically and historically speaking.

       Nowadays, Chiang Khan’s popularity has grown among Thai tourists who seem to be discovering or rediscovering a region that had been neglected by tourists years before.This recent renewal of interest can be partly explained by the increasing number of websites dealing with travel experiences, tourism...One of the first websites that promoted the region and made it more attractive to the eye of the tourist is a very famous Thai website named : www.pantip.com where people can post and share their experiences, pictures and many other things on forums. Since then, Chiang Khan has been unofficially renamed the “ Beautiful City of Memories” whose principal place of attraction  is undoubtedly  the “old wooden houses”.Those old wooden houses are located on Chai Khong Road and will give you a living and authentic moment of history since most of them have been kept as is (some houses are over 100 years old).

        More and more tourists are visiting Chiang Khan.Year after year, this little part of Thailand seems to bring satisfaction and joy to those in quest for a more rural aspect of Thai lifestyle, to those who want to take the time to live more authentic moments, in an almost idyllic place, far from noise pollution and the stressful urban way of life.

       “Peace” is the word that will pop up to your mind when you think about Chiang Khan. Time, there, seems to spin slowly; the hospitality of  the locals, their gentleness and politeness is remarkable. It’s an experience that can’t be experienced in big cities.

         Nowadays, more than half of the wooden houses on Chai Khong Road have been refurbished or converted into restaurants, souvenir shops...to respond to the increasing number of tourists.Most shops have opted for the “made in Chiang Khan” marketing strategy which puts the emphasis on local products such as : textiles (t-shirts, scarves, shorts...), postcards, souvenirs...

       If you wish to stay there for a few days, you might be interested in staying in a “homestay”( located on Sri Chiang Khan Street or on Chai Khong Road) rather than in a hotel.This practice can be a very efficient way to immerse yourself in Thai rural lifestyle for you will have the chance to live with the homeowner(s) at a lower cost for a couple of days.

Here is a list of the various attractions you might be interested in when travelling in Chiang Khan :

· Kaeng Kood Koo (at about 3 km away from Chiang Khan)

         This place, located near the Mekong River, offers an astonishing view on big blocks of stones (immersed in the river) that become visible depending on the level of the river, which gives very different perspectives of that landscape throughout the year.

There, you'll enjoy eating by the river (I advise you to try the local Tom Yum Pla, a dish prepared with fish from the Mekong River), walking around and sailing on the Mekong River...

Don't forget to taste the most famous dessert in the place: coconut dessert (Maprow Keow).

The best period of the year to go there is between February to May since the level of the river is low and that it is at that time that the view on the stones are spectacular.

·   Pu Toke (at about 3 km away from Chiang Khan)

        This mountain is very appreciated by tourists since it is from that place that you can have the most beautiful view on Chiang Khan and the Mekong River during the day. In the morning, Pu Toke reveals all its charms under a veil of mist.

I advise you to contact a “qualified” person before trying to go up to the mountain by yourself.

It is strongly recommended that you use public transportation to visit it. Driving there, on your own,can be risky. Preferably avoid the use of a mountain bike or a motorcycle to go up there.

·  Wat Tha Kaek

This very nice temple is located along the Mekong River, 2 km away from Chiang Khan churches. It's a worth a visit.

 

www.agilenttour.com

·  Wat Phra Phutthabat Phu Kwai Ngoen

         This temple is located in Tambon Bu Hom, Chiang Khan. Every year, on the 15^th day of the 3^rd lunar month, the temple organizes an annual ceremony.

www.chiangkhan.com

How to go to Chiang Khan :

By bus :

        trips between Bangkok and Loei are organised every day. You'll find both types of buses : ordinary buses and air-conditioned buses. The trip generally lasts 10 hours. For more details, contact :Northeastern Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road.( Mo Chit 2) Tel. (02) 936-0667, 936-0657.

By air plane :

Limited company Nok Air has flights Bangkok - Loei every day. If you're interested, please contact the following number: 1318.