'''Chiang Khong''' (????????) is in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand.
Understand
Chiang Khong is the Thai counterpart to the Lao border town of Huay Xai, just across the Mekong. Chiang Khong is a small, sleepy town with one main road and no night life. It has a Friday market, a lot of temples, a craft village with a busy market and a temple. The best time to visit is from October to January, or on the April 18 Giant Catfish Festival when baby giant catfish are taken to the Mekong river.
Get in
'''Buses''' arrive from Chiang Rai every 30 minutes from 5.00 AM to 16.00 PM and 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 around
The 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 20 baht (50,000 kip). The border crossing closes at 20:00.
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.
See
H'mong Village (10 km.)
Nam Chang Dam for fishing and swimming (7 Km.)
Thai Lue village with cloth weaving(15 Km.)
Waterfall (near to H'mong village)
Thai sauna at Baanrimtaling
The Chiang Khong Fishery Station is able to inseminate and breed this largest fresh-water fish. Fingerlings bred here have been released in several rivers.
Learn Thai cooking at Baanrimtaling
Visit the golden triangle by motorbike - 1 day trip(60 Km.)
Visit a rustic village near the Mekong Village.
Temples in Chiang Khong:
Wat Sri don Chai
Wat Sob som
Wat Prakeaw
Wat Luang
Wat Hat Krai
Wat Hou weing
Wat Tung Duk
Buy
There 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 first because there are no ATMs in Huey Xai, though there is a bank near the riverfront. Outside of banking hours it may be possible to cash a traveller's cheque with a local shop or hotel.
Sukhawadee (???????) 84/1 Ban Had Bai Tel: 0 5365 0975 (cotton)
Eat
'''Rimnam Guesthouse and Restaurant''' 166/1 moo 12 [http://www.geocities.com/rimnamhotel]. River view.
'''Baanrimtaling Home stay & Restaurant''' have a Vegetarian food and good Thai curry, call 053-791613, 084-6155490 '''Learning Thai cooking''' How to make Curry, Pad Thai, Tomyam. After cooking you have your own dinner.
''' Visit a small market at Baan Hat Krai village to see catfish for sale and some produce from the jungle, for example mushrooms and river weeds from the Mekong.
'''Bamboo Riverside Guesthouse''' - is not existent anymore. They closed.
'''Restaurant above Boom Guesthouse on the other side of the street''' - Is run for 25 years by a very nice lady who does even some talking with the falangs. And good food too!
Nang Nuan (??????) Ban Hat Khrai, Tel: 0 5379 1271 (Thai food)
Drink
There 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.
Tee Pee Bar. ear Madam Pub. Best described as a "rat hole" By Jip at the Bamboo Riverside Guesthouse. Offering the standard fare of traveller music (Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Oasis and others).
Sleep
'''Bamboo Riverside Guesthouse''' (????? ??????????? ??????????) 71/1 Mu 1 Hua Wiang (Tel: 0 5379 1621 E-mail: Saweepatts@hotmail.com), 10 rooms: 150-250 baht
'''Ban Fai Guesthouse''' (???????? ??????????) 108 Mu 8 Ban Wiang Kaew, Tambon Wiang (Tel: 0 5379 1394), 9 rooms: 80-150 baht
'''Ban Rim Khong''' (??????????) 278/3 Mu 7 Ban Had Krai, Tambon Wiang (Tel: 0 8 1281 9966, Tel & Fax:0 5379 1269), 4 rooms: 200-400 baht
'''Ban Rim Taling''' (????????????) 99/4 Mu 3 Ban Sopsom Tambon Wiang (Tel: 0 5379 1613, 08 4615 5490), [http://www.baanrimtaling.com], 10 rooms: 200-450 baht. Room with hot shower, Bungalow, Mekong River view. 400m from bus stop/7-Eleven towards Wat Sob.
'''Ban Tammila''' (??????????) 113 Mu 8 Tambon Wiang (Tel & Fax: 0 5379 1234), 9 rooms: 200-500 baht
'''Boom Guesthouse''' Rooms from 250 baht. But nice style. Everything in wood, including the terasse with view over the mekong.
'''Chom Khong Guesthouse''' tel. ''+66''-53655661
'''Chiang Khong River View Hotel''' 141 Moo 12; tel. ''+66''-53791375 [http://www.chiangkhong.com/riverviewhotel.htm] Hot showers, river views, some rooms with air-con. 350-600 baht.
'''Nam Khong Gueshouse''' 408 Moo 1; tel. ''+66''-53655102
'''Rimnam Guesthouse and Restaurant''' 166/1 moo 12 [http://www.geocities.com/rimnamhotel] 350-500 baht.
'''SP Guesthouse''' 409 Moo 1; tel. ''+66''-53791767 [http://www.geocities.com/spguesthouse/] Dorms, single and double rooms, and one two-person guest hut. 80-200 baht.
Stay safe
There have been reports from travellers that there are wild/feral dogs which come out in this town late at night.
Get out
'''Laos''' - most guesthouses can arrange a package deal with food and overnight accommodation in Pakbeng for the trip to Luang Prabang, but it is fairly simple to do as an independent traveller as well. It's worth crossing the border a day early and spending the night in Huay Xai to be up and ready to catch a boat down the river first thing in the morning.
Golden Triangle - 55 km by road, pop into Chiang Saen on the way or cruise up the Mekong instead