Golden Triangle
Golden Triangle
3.5
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This was originally the opium-growing region of northern India Thailand, eastern Burma and western Laos, but is now mainly a tourist attraction.
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- BelleBucheon, South Korea873 contributionsInteresting Place to VisitCame here because I have read about the Golden Triangle and drug trade in college and wanted to see it in person. It's like the Four Corners but more complicated because its 3 countries divided by the Mekong River. Of course it looked so different now than pictured in my college books. You see the Lao side, Myanmar side while standing on the Thai side. They're all a stone's throw away. There's a huge Buddha statue too and souvenir shops. Stop by here and go to the Hall of Opium and Mae Sai border to make it worth your day.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 February 2024
- STD66Plymouth, Minnesota26 contributionsWell worth a visit but avoid burning season, if possible.A good look out point of the Golden triangles three countries. Not too many tourists, so it was easy to take photos. The pollution did spoil the air and view. We took a boat ride on the Mekong and were unexpectedly dropped off in a Laos special economic zone for as long as we wanted. We didn’t stay long but it was an unexpected bonus to set foot in Laos.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 March 2024
- Suzana M16 contributionsUnmissable tour!The Golden Triangle is the triple border where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. We took a boat ride for 45 minutes, stopping at the island of Don Sao, which belongs to Laos. We visited the 212 House of Opium and learned about the history of opium. Unmissable tour!Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 16 March 2024
- macedonboyGlasgow, United Kingdom186,190 contributionsInteresting, But Not All That ExcitingMy group visited the golden triangle as the final stop of our guided tour around the border areas. For somewhere so far from the major population centres, I was surprised by how busy it is in Chiang Sean. The Golden Triangle Viewpoint was the best place to get a bird's eye view of the river and the border of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Excellent things to see here are the Giant Golden Buddha and the Opium Museum.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 17 April 2024
- oak2wnOakland, California1,269 contributions3.5 ratingKinda cool to say you've been to the Golden Triangle. You'll see the Golden Triangle Buddha here. Laos is directly across the river, and Myanmar is just to the left when you are looking at the river. Was in town too late to see some of the other things in town. We had dinner nearby, along the river. How close were we to Laos (the border is in the river)? My phone carrier sent a text that read, "Welcome to Laos" (even though we were eating in Thailand).Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 15 September 2024
- Radhika IPrinceton, New Jersey113 contributionsBeautiful triangle viewsBeautiful place with so much to see around. It’s on a high elevation thus the views are amazing. You can see the three countries from the top. A huge Buddha statue is amazing. A perfect tourist spot for sunset/ sunrise. Several shops selling souvenirs, food and drinks. It’s a must see if you’re in Chiang Rai.Visited December 2024Travelled with familyWritten 14 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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3.5
1,108 reviews
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Frida-SaoPaulo
Sao Paulo, SP8,579 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Golden Triangle - Thailand's border with Laos and Myanmar. I don't know if I would do all this traveling again... there's nothing pretty to see... the Maekong River looks muddy!!! You can't see anything in Myanmar and on the Laos side there are several buildings built by a Chinese businessman!!

Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy S
Clanfield, UK635 contributions
Jun 2023
This is a lovely, relatively unspoiled area of Thailand across from Myanmar and Laos.
The small city of Chiang Saen is delightful - the modern town has been built up around the ruins of the old medieval city and there are building remains all over intersperced among the new builds. For me a better historical visit than Chiang Mai, with fare fewer people.
Do take a long neck boat trip on the Mekong if you are able - its well worth the ride.
The small city of Chiang Saen is delightful - the modern town has been built up around the ruins of the old medieval city and there are building remains all over intersperced among the new builds. For me a better historical visit than Chiang Mai, with fare fewer people.
Do take a long neck boat trip on the Mekong if you are able - its well worth the ride.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J7Corvallis
Corvallis, OR31 contributions
Jan 2020
Our trip to the Golden Triangle began at 6:30 AM and ended back in Chiang Mai at 10:30 PM. A very long day. A significant section of the highway is under construction, at least in January 2020. If you’re staying overnight at Laos Vegas (local Thai jab at the casino across the Mekong in Laos) or elsewhere nearby, there is enough in the area for a day+ of sight-seeing. Otherwise, we would not recommend a day trip from Chiang Mai.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Travelling Social Worker in Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand46 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This is a nice day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Saen probably about 4 hours drive so get up early especially if you want to pass through some of the attractions in Chiang Rai. This place has alot of history here with alot of old temple ruins around the area and old walls in this town. The golden triangle is just a great place to get a photo saying you have been on the border of 3 countries. There is also alot of tourist shops around the area as well. If you are looking for some nice food though I would say go up the road to the Flow Cafe which also has a hotel connected to it as it has delicious coffee, desserts and also a range of other food options where you can relax and sit by the river. You can cross the river by boat here to Laos or Myanmar and Laos has a casino across the river if that's what you are into but the visa is a little pricey for westerns crossing the river just for a day trip. If you stay overnight on the Saturday then check out the Saturday markets in Chiang Saen town centre which are interesting to explore. And the sunday markets that follow. Overall it is interesting to visit here. Though honestly not much good food I could find here apart from Flow which is probably the best I found. But of course the street food on Saturday night is good. See my youtube The Travelling Social Worker in Thailand for a more videos on my trips here and my Tiktik TTSWThailand.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RIchard035
Northwood, UK1,348 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
You can take a small boat cruise around the Meekong river from Chiang Saen from where you can get great views of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Not only did we get the views of the scenery in the three countries, but we learned about the large city in Laos that has been built up around a casino. We were a bit concerned about mosquitos on the river but our guide told us not to worry as they couldn't keep up with the boat!
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie B
Vertou, France6 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The site is not of much interest... a few shops along a road, a Buddha, a few modern statues...
On one side a landscape that is still protected, on the other a whole city of skyscrapers rising from the ground! The authenticity of the place has disappeared!
Only the opium museum is really worth the detour.
On one side a landscape that is still protected, on the other a whole city of skyscrapers rising from the ground! The authenticity of the place has disappeared!
Only the opium museum is really worth the detour.

Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Krabi Province, Thailand135 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Great local town especially on Saturday evenings when they have the
Walking Street Market.
The only drawback are the casinos being built across the river in neigboring
Laos. All Chinese owned. What was once a pastoral serene landscape is now
a skyline of mass construction of Casinos, hotels and other high rise apartments.
Boom Box music often blares across the river into the quiet Golden Triangle area
of Thailand. I would not recommend renting a hotel room North of Chiang Saen.
Walking Street Market.
The only drawback are the casinos being built across the river in neigboring
Laos. All Chinese owned. What was once a pastoral serene landscape is now
a skyline of mass construction of Casinos, hotels and other high rise apartments.
Boom Box music often blares across the river into the quiet Golden Triangle area
of Thailand. I would not recommend renting a hotel room North of Chiang Saen.
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArenJo
Saint Cloud, FL814 contributions
Jan 2020
It was pretty cool to see the island where Opium gets traded as it doesn't belong to any country. Then it was cool stopping over in Laos for an hour at the market. The Chinese are building a casino over there as well that I'm sure eventually tourists will be taken to.
Written 6 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mika
Milan, Italy173 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Interesting place to visit after reading the whole story a bit. Of these places. Since the place itself is not beautiful it is more of a symbolic place. Golden Triangle between Laos, Thailand and Burma. We took a boat trip and touched down in Laos where there are a crowd of stalls.
Via boat we passed by Burma but the most interesting place is certainly the high point where there are temples and a clear view of the triangle.
Via boat we passed by Burma but the most interesting place is certainly the high point where there are temples and a clear view of the triangle.

Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melkeet
Ipoh, Malaysia1,383 contributions
Jan 2020
We reached this area on a taxi tour to the golden triangle and the old temples in Chiang Saen. The Golden Triangle area is located in Chiang Rai Province of northern Thailand and is a border town. There is a triangle shape formed, at the meeting of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Locally this area is known as Sop Ruak, derived from the meeting of the Mekong with the Ruak River. This area has been known historically for the growth and trading of opium. Over the years, due to its location where 3 nations have its border within a single sight, it have become famous as a tourist destination for more reasons than one. We spent about half an hour at the site to look around and capture some photographs.
Written 29 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ravi n
Vijayawada, India
Please help me I want to go to thailand last week of this month ....what about weather condition of thailand at this month
Written 14 June 2019
Hi, if you want to go to the beach area for holidays, it may be advisable to stay in your resort/hotel and always bring a big umbrella or be prepared to wait it out for the heavy rains to stop before you go out and enjoy again. I have gone during June before and if you are the type that can stop and wait for the rains to stop, you can go there for holiday. During this season, hotels are not that expensive.
Written 17 June 2019
yes you can go to golden triangle
Written 23 June 2019
We are interested in visiting the Lao island of Donsao by taking the boat across from the Thai border. I read somewhere that you had to leave your passport somewhere before you entered Laos. Is this true or do I get to hold on to my passport? Thanks!
Written 17 December 2018
For my experience, you can have you passport with you. No need to leave it with the border officer.😊
Written 6 January 2019
Hello,
How much does it cost for a boat ride for 4 people ? And how long will the boat ride be?
Written 11 November 2018
around 1000 bhatt. but go as group so it becomes cheaper. you can get down in laos for a shopping
Written 12 November 2018
yokechengfong
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Do we need to apply for a visa before travel to golden triangle
Written 16 July 2018
No. Just pay 30 baht and hand over your passport. The Laos entry stamp is done on a piece of paper (not in your passport).
Needless to say it didn’t feel like we were in Laos. You can’t enter Laos proper from the island without getting a proper visa anyway. I’ll never go back, horrible place, lesson learned!
Written 21 January 2019
¿Cómo puedo ir y volver en transporte público en un día de Chiang Mai al Triángulo de Oro?
Written 25 April 2017
Am besten mit dem Bus (Großer Busbahnhof Chiangmai), fahren täglich mehrere Busse nach bis Chiangsean. (Goldenes Dreieck).
Written 7 June 2017
Bonjour, nous allons à Chiang Saen en octobre, je prépare mon itinéraire, nous visitons la région en scooter combien de jours me conseiller vous sur place merci de votre réponse.
Written 19 July 2016
Bonjour,
Il est difficile pour moi aussi de vous donner un avis car, notre séjour était dans le cadre d'un circuit touristique. Nous sommes restés que 2 jours dans cette zone là. Pour moi, ce n'était pas la zone la mieux de Thaïlande que j'ai pu découvrir. La province de Chiang Maï est pour moi 100 fois mieux.
En tout cas, pour essayer de répondre à ta question, nous avons pu dans cette province faire un balade à dos d'éléphants dans la jungle avec une rencontre avec les "femmes girafes". C'est quelques choses de très touristique, et parfois controversé, mais il faut le faire au moins une fois, je pense. Sinon, si vous voulez être au contact avec les éléphants, il existe un camps d'accueil des éléphants sauvés de camps touristiques où ils étaient maltraités. Les excursions ne se font pas sur eux, mais à côté d'eux.
Tu peux aussi aller à la rencontre de peuples montagnards pour descendre la rivière KoK, voir une pépinière d’orchidées, ou une plantation d'ananas (qui développe l'économie locale à la place de la culture de pavots).
Pour finir, vous pouvez aussi vous rapprocher du Triangle d'Or pour voir 3 pays en même temps, séparé par le MEKONG. Il y a de quoi avoir un jolie point de vue pour de superbes photos, un temple au sommet de la colline qui surplombe le fleuve et quelques boutiques assez sympa.
Pour l'ensemble de ces idées, avec votre moyen de locomotion, il faut que comptiez entre 3 bons jours au moins.
J'espère avoir été utile.
Cdlt
Tom
Written 21 July 2016
Sounds pretty forgettable and am wondering why so many make the trip.
Written 21 June 2016
have been here a few times its amazing, take a boat ride to Laos, climb the hill behind the hall of opium at the top not only is there brilliant views but a very very very old temple its quite unique
Written 26 June 2016
Hi. How does one get to the Golden Triangle from Chiang Rai town and back? Thank you.
Written 26 April 2015
About how many hours will the tour last?
Written 12 February 2015
You can leave Chiangmai before 7 am, stop by at the hot springs,have lunch on reaching the golden triangle and then take the boat to Laos. You can be back in Chiangmai by 9pm. This is possible only if you have your own vehicle. You may need to stay overnight somewhere if you are going by public /shared transportation.
Written 14 February 2015
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