The world-famous Golden Triangle refers to the point where the borders of three countries -- Laos, Thailand and Myanmar meet. It is located about 8 to 9 kilometers north of the old town of Chiang Saen and lies along the road which runs parallel to the Mae Khong River. This area is locally referred to as Sop Ruak.
Tourists can actually stand here and watch the Mae Khong River meeting the Ruak River flowing in from Burma, creating the widely popular ‘Golden Triangle’. They can just relax and enjoy the view of the lush green rice fields, pristine natural beauty and the distant mountains from this point. The view of the Golden Triangle becomes all the more clear and distinct when one climbs over the Doi Chiang Miang by the side of the Mekong River.
A very interesting place to visit within the Golden Triangle Park is the ‘Hall of Opium’, where tourists can learn about a wide variety of issues related to opium such as its history, its natural properties, its uses, stories of the opium wars, and the problems caused by opium (along with a mild message about refraining from opium smoking and trading).