Chiang Saen Travel Package Tours, Thailand Tour Information Hotel Guide

CHIANG SAEN OVERVIEW

Chiang Saen is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. The neighboring districts are (from the east clockwise) Chiang Khong, Doi Luang, Mae Chan, Mae Sai of Chiang Rai Province. To the north are Shan State of Myanmar and Bokeo provinces of Laos.

History
The ancient Chiang Saen sits dreaming sleepily on the banks of the mighty Mae Khong river. Who would ever imagine its former days of power and glory? Yet, believe it or not, this quiet district town, gate way to the "Golden Triangle", was once the centre of power of the long - gone Lanna Kingdom.
Though the time origins of this enormously old town are shrouded in the mists of time, it is certain that it predates the later and more influential cities of Chiangmai and Chiangrai. About 1,450 years ago, one of the earliest of the Tai chieftains, King Singhanuwat -- drove his armies south from Yunnan and settled at the site of present day Chiang Saen. His newly established capital was called either Nakhapun Singhanuwat Nakorn or Yonok Nakorn Chaiburi Sri Chiang Saen. With in one hundred years this fortified outpost had expanded dramatically to become the hub of a self-contained kingdom called Haevan Nakorn Ngern Yang Chiarburi Sri Chiang Saen.
The next 600 years of history is lost in the tale of Chiang Saen. These were turbulent times in many ways, and earthquakes and a succession of feudal wars have all been cited as the causes of this gap in the city's story.
With the advent of King Mengrai, some 700 years ago, the focus of history brings Chiang Saen to the fore of events once again. King Mengrai and his dynasty had mostly concentrated their efforts in establishing Chiangmai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, with occasional shifts of direction leading to short interludes of predominance of Chiangrai. Yet, whenever trouble threatened the fabric of this long-gone kingdom. Mengrai and his heirs chose to regroup in Chiang Saen, the birthplace of King Mengrai himself. His lineal ancestors further developed one city of Chiang Saen into one of the best fortified towns of its age as defence against a series of invaders from the north. The present shape of the city dates from those times when King Saen Pu and his father Kam Fu, both of king Mengrai's direct line, developed the city into one of the finest fortified towns of its age.
Chiang Saen has since its inception been under the influence of Buddhism, and its most substantial ancient buildings reflect this. Many of the finest building of these bygone times are, sadly, little more than dilapidated ruins poking forlornly through a green cloak of vegetation, but there are still many fine examples of preserved or renovated temples and stupas that reflect the architectural history of Chiang Saen. These structures clearly tell the story of external 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.