The mountains to the west, including Doi Mae Salong, Doi Chang and Doi Tung (Doi means mountain in the northern dialect if you hadn’t guessed), are truly spectacular but descend abruptly into a wide valley, broken with occasional low hills and karst formations that stretches to the province’s, and country’s, eastern border with Laos – the Mekong River. This is the location of the riverbank towns; touristy, kitsch Sob Ruak – officially designated the Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen – ancient city and river port, and cutesy Chiang Khong – guesthouse-laden entry point into Laos and starting point for boat journeys to Luang Prabang