Difference between revisions of "Chiang Khong"
Revision as of 14:20, 19 January 2013Chiang Khong (เชียงของ) is a town in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand. It is mainly visited as a stop-off point en-route to the ferry crossing to Laos. ContentsUnderstandChiang Khong is the Thai counterpart to the Lao border town of Huay Xai, just across the Mekong. Chiang Khong is a fast growing town with a bridge to Laos about to open. Each month more and more cafe's and bars are opening and land and property is rocketing in value. The village was more recently made famous by cyclist Alan Bate,who broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth by bicycle in 2010. In the village he runs, The Hub Pub, a free cycle museum and the uniquely free, FUNKY BOX HOSTEL, all in Soi 2, just 60 meters from the main road and other bars. Accomodation is also wide and varied and you can stay more upmarket if you wish too. Outside the village, you can follow the mekong, through the mountains to the ancient town of Chiang Saen, the founding town of Lanna culture, buddism and the place where the Emerald Buddha was discovered. Heading South, you can also visit the little know Phu Chi Fah, missed by most foreign tourists! In Chiang Khong, there is a Wednesday and Friday market, a lot of temples, a busy daily market and a 10 km Dam,set in a valley, just 4 km from the village. The best time to visit is from October through to the Thai New year festival of Song Kran in April. Most reviews are now totally out of date, so come and spend a day or two in Chiang Khong and be suprised! Get inFrom Huay Xai in Laos by a short ferry trip (10,000 Kip) across the Mekong (6am to 6pm). Thai Immigration here seems to lack both computers and the annoying cameras now installed in Bangkok's airport and, consequently, is extremely quick. However, arriving by this overland route means that you will only be given a visa-exempt entry valid for 15 days, compared with the 30 days you would get flying into Bangkok. The ferry is at the northern end of Chiang Khong: if you want to move on without stopping in the city, take a tuktuk to the bus station in town for 30 baht per person, or you can walk 3km. From Chiang Rai local buses go regularly (mostly every half hour) from 5.00 AM to 16.00 PM. It should take about 2h but the driver may take it slow and could stop for dinner, so probably 2.30h or more. From Chiang Mai by minibus for 250 baht or by "green bus" (making many stops) for about 200 baht, by public bus is 150-270 bath. anyway the most advised way is to go by bus to Chiang Rai for 94-263 baht (3h) and then take a public bus to Chiang Khong for 65 baht (2.5-3hrs). By bus from other major cities in Northern Thailand and Isaan. Daytime and overnight buses run directly from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) to Chiang Khong every day. There are also 5 overnight buses from Moh Chit which leave at 19.00 pm and arrive at Chiang Khong the next morning at 8.00 am, and one daytime bus which leaves Moh Chit at 7.00 am and arrives in Chiang Khong at 20.00 pm. Get aroundThe riverfront area can be seen on foot but it's worth getting a tuk-tuk or taxi for the trip out to the bus station. Small ferries cross the river every few minutes for about 40 baht (10,000 kip). The border crossing closes at 18:00. If you want to look around Chiang Khong the best way is rent a bike or motorbike to visit local villages and the banks of the Mekong. Motorbikes (manual & automatic) can be rented for 200 baht a day (which also includes a basic map) from the Baan Fai Guesthouse. SeeChiang Khong is often passed through by hordes of tour buses from Chiang Mai on the way to Laos but seldom visited and definitely overlooked. Like many border towns it is bustling with trade yet is tourist friendly without being shamelessly commercial. The pace of life is easy going for the most part (curiously, unlike other parts of the country the tuk-tuk drivers don't hassle you) and although it could be said that there is little to do in the town itself if you are willing to rent a bike or car and travel approximately 60 km you can visit the Opium Museum in the Golden Triangle and the various towns, temples and Hill Tribe villages along the way. The interesting thing to note about Chiang Khong is ethnic diversity of the local Laotian, Thais and Hill tribesman which results in three separate calenders and a variety of festivals held throughout the year. Also of note are the Dragonboat competitions between the Laotians & Thais during the months of October/November & March/April to celebrate the end of the three month Buddhist lent and the Thai new year. If you're staying close to the riverside during the preceding months you can hear the teams vigorously practising along the Mekhong river in the early morning. The H'mong also have a variety of Pagan festivals and (infrequently) hold bull fights on the weekends, which although brutal sounding the fights themselves are more of a display of strength (imagine a sumo wrestling match) and seldom last more than 15 seconds. Expect to see and hear vigorous gambling!
You can visit individually via motorcycle/car or contact 'Asian Oasis' for stays at the Lanjia Lodge inside the village and can arrange tours. The recommended time to visit is after 2pm when the villagers return from the fields.
Be aware that this is a lengthy trip to make by a small bike and it advisable to depart no later than 9am to be back before it gets dark at around 5:30pm.
BuyThere are several ATMs in the town - Kasikorn Bank, GSB, Siam Commercial Bank, Krung Thai Bank and a new machine in front of the 7/11 at the bus station. All banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday but you should be able to use the ATMs. If you are heading to Laos get your money here because in houay xai the maximum withdrawal per transaction is 700,000kip and exchange rates from baht to kip are quite ok. Laos currency (kip) can only be officially exchanged inside Laos. Thai banks will not exchange Laos currency. Chiang Khong ATM will not disburse kip. Chiang Khong moneychangers will exchange for a fee. The Laos bank in Huay Xai and the ATM there will disburse kip. Thai baht and US dollars are readily accepted in Laos. At good rates. Laos visas are more economical if bought with US dollars instead of baht. As of October,2012, it costs $30 USD ($31 on holidays) to enter Laos on a 30 day visa on arrival, Be sure to bring photos to avoid extra costs. Eat
DrinkThere are very few bars as such in Chiang Khong. Your best bet for evening entertainment is a Big Chang beer/Singha Beer at your guesthouse. Sleep
They also rent manual and automatic bikes for 200 baht a day and include a basic map of the surrounding area.
Although there is possibly better value for money and location inside the town the owners (an American named Don & his wife) are your best source of information in Chiang Khong and the surrounding area. Don is a very affable and knowledgeable man on both Thai culture and the local hill tribes and they can advise you on visas, politics, religion, customs and everything in between! BaanRimTaling Dorms, Single and Double Rooms, and Bungalows, all with hot shower. Guesthouse overlooks Mekong River and the view from the restaurant veranda is stunning. Popular with Europeans. 400m from bus stop/7-Eleven towards Wat Sob Som. Directions on green sign at 7/11. Free pickup at bus stop. Free ride to border in morning. Free internet and wifi.
Stay safeThere have been reports from travellers that there are wild/feral dogs which come out in this town late at night. It seems very popular for guides on the pre booked slow boat trip to try encourage people to switch to the bus to Luang Prabang for the same price. They tell horror stories of floods, mosquito hordes, unexpected third nights spent on the slow boat and crooks in Pak Beng. Presumably this is designed so they can pocket the difference between the cheaper bus ticket and the slow boat you already paid for when you pre booked. On our trip (July 2011) around 80% of the group decided to take the bus instead. Many other groups on the slow boat commented that this was also the case in their groups. Don't Fall for it!! Get out
Getting to the slow boat requires an exit stamp from Thailand Immigration(about 5 minutes), crossing the river (about 5 minutes), getting a Laos visa (about 20 minutes), and go upriver about 1km. Walk or tuk-tuk. Prices for the two day slow boat to Luang Prabang vary. As of April 2012 tickets bought in Chiang Khong cost 1180 baht. However as soon as you clear immigration in Huay Xai they can be bought for 950 baht and allegedly even cheaper from the boat pier itself. Thai baht, US dollar and Lao Kip are all accepted at least as far as Luang Prabang.
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