BANGKOK, 16 November 2010 – Chiang Rai officials say they are optimistic that as many as 200,000 tourists, a mix of Thais and foreigners, will visit the province, this December, mainly to admire a sea of mist on a mountain range near the border with Laos.
Chiang Rai’s main attractions are nature, or heritage based, related to hill tribe village lifestyle. Soft adventure tourism, elephant treks and boat trips on the River Kok, sightseeing along the Mekong River in the Golden Triangle area, visits to the Opium Museum and the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sai are the priorities for international visitors.
But Thai domestic travellers also book trips to Phu Chi Fa, a mountain peak rising 1,628 metres high and offering a viewpoint to admire the rugged landscape along the Thai-Lao border.
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Chiang-Rai.jpgThe mountain ranges are covered at this time of the year with a “sea of fog” from dawn until around 0900 daily. Temperatures drop to around 8 degrees Celsius in the morning and evenings. Camping in national parks is a viable option.
Phu Chi Fa mountain range is on the border of Chiang Rai Province and Laos, 144 km east of Chiang Rai town. It takes about two hours to reach the mountain by mini-buses.
Locals claim the peak is shaped like a finger pointing to the sky hence the mountain’s name “Phu Chi Fa” (mountain pointing at the sky).
The thought that Thais travel north to enjoy chilly weather and don North Face winter garb prompts a smile from hardy European travellers. Chiang Rai’s cool season fits a spring climate in Europe, ideal for wearing “three season clothing, not winter woolies.
But unlike Chiang Mai, 120 km to the southwest, Chiang Rai still remains a relatively laid-back destination not overly popular with foreign tourists. This means its shopping malls are less in your face and hotels still deliver classic hospitality at prices that are remarkably low. When these factors are coupled with its nature, heritage attractions and a cool climate, December through to February, the province has not trouble attracting domestic travellers and expatriate residents in Bangkok.
The break from city pollution, noise and humidity is a major selling point for Chiang Rai province. According to the Chiang Rai Meteorological Department the temperature on ground at Tum Bon Ban Du, Muang district, near Phu Chi Fa mountain range hovers around 13 to 14 degrees Celsius with a mid-day top of 28 degrees Celsius.
Phu Chi Fa National Park and places nearby have around 3,000 rooms available with overnight rates for two people at around Bt500.
Tub Tao district has arranged 10 zones open to campers with tent rental costing around Bt250 per day. Travellers bringing their own tents pay just Bt50.
BACKGROUND
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand situated on the Kok River basin 416 metres above sea level. It is about 785 km from Bangkok.
The average elevation of the province is 580 metres. The north of the province belongs to the so-called Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
The province’s mountains rise 1,500 to 2,000 metres above the sea. The province borders the Mekong River to the north and east. About 90 km of the province is adjacent to the river.
Climate: The weather differs dramatically between summer and winter. In December temperatures drop to 8 degrees Celsius but raise to 35 degrees Celsius in April. The best time to visit is from mid-November through to end of February.
The town has a population of around 62,000.
Tourism: About 1,680,000 tourists visit Chiang Rai annually, but there are less than 300,000 foreigners.
There are 200 hotels in Chiang Rai province and around 20 hotels near Phu Chi Fa.
Phu Chi Fa
Location: Chiang Rai province, 144 km east of the provincial town.
Height: 1,200-1,628 metres, an average slope 40%
Climate: Three seasons; summer (March-May), wet (June-October) and cool (September-February).
Bron:TTRweekly
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