This charming, sleepy city is the more laid-back alternative to bustling Chiang Mai and the capital of Chiang Rai province.

Besides its beguilingly slow pace, friendly locals and the beautiful setting amidst rolling rainforest-covered hills, Chiang Rai also encompasses a treasure chest of cultural and historical gems.

Don’t miss a visit to Wat Rong Khun,' The White Temple' – a contemporary architectural highlight with an exquisitely ornate, snow-coloured façade – or to the historic Wat Phra Sin, with its traditional Lanna-style interior.

There are also several interesting museums to explore, including the quirky Oub Kham Museum, with its collection of fascinating and often bizarre historical relics from the wider Lanna region; and the Hilltribe Museum and Education Centre, which provides excellent insight into the various hill-tribe ethnicities in the area.