 Chiang
Saen travel information and local guide
 Chiang
Saen was an ancient capital of Lan Na Thai (Kingdom of One
Million Rice Fields) which dominated northern Thailand from
the late 1200’s. It was founded by a nephew of King Mengrai,
Saenphu, before Chiang Rai and is historically important,
because a distinctive style of Buddhist sculpture evolved
here during the late thirteenth century.
Chiang Saen, today is only a small village set amongst ruins,
but it was once home to the future King Mengrai, founder of
the Kingdom of Lanna. The remaining earthen ramparts are a
mere fraction of the city's original walls as Chiang Saen
was burnt to the ground in the 1700's when Thai forces finally
drove out the Burmese, who had ruled there since 1558.
The few hundred years of history is lost in the tale of Chiang
Saen. These were turbulent times in many ways. Earthquakes
and a succession of feudal wars have all been cited as the
causes of the gap in the city's history.
Deserted until 1861, it was only when King Rama IV (King
Mongkhut) ordered a Lumpoon prince to repopulate the site
with people from nearby towns that it flourished once more.
Chiang Saen has since its inception been under the influence
of Buddhism, and its most substantial ancient buildings reflect
this. Many of the finest buildings from these bygone times
are, sadly, little more than dilapidated ruins poking forlornly
through the greenery of surrounding vegetation, but there
are still many fine examples of preserved or renovated temples
that reflect the architectural history of Chiang Saen.
These structures clearly depict the influences on building
styles during the city's past, and Khmer, Singhalese, Lao
and Sukhothai forms, corresponding with different periods
in Chiang Saen's history, are all represented.
 The
main sites of historical and architectural interest in the
town are Wat Pa Sak, the teak forest temple, built in the
time of King Saen Phu about 600 years ago and Wat Chedi Luang,
built at about the same time. This impressive building is
typical of the architecture and religious art of old Chiang
Saen. Other temples of interest in the city are Wat Moong
Muang, Wat Pra Buad and Wat Pra Jao Larn Tong, housing a Buddha
image of the same name in the genuine Chiang Saen art style.
 Watching
over the city, perched on a hill to the north, is Wat Pra
That Chom Kitti, which predates the Lanna Kingdom by over
one hundred years. From here there are panoramic views of
the city, the Mae Khong River and the surrounding lands. Wat
Pha Ngao the temple of the cliff of shadow, was only recently
moved to the site of an ancient, long-deserted temple.
Apart from its ruins and its proximity to the famous and
infamous "Golden Triangle" where Myanmar, Laos and
Thailand meet, Chiang Saen is a perfect starting point for
expeditions into the surrounding lands.
Today, the town offers swimming, boating, and fishing at
Chiang Saen Lake and houses a branch of the National Museum.
Its popularity increases yearly with visitors seeking an escape
from the cosmopolitan world and due to its position on the
famed Mekong River may one day, again prosper as boat traffic
to and from China becomes more firmly established and this
vital trade route may flourish once more.
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