Chiang Mai is a city in mountainous northern Thailand. Founded in 1296, it was capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. Its Old City area still retains vestiges of walls and moats from its history as a cultural and religious center. It’s also home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang, adorned with carved serpents. The “physical” Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. A marker stands at the spot from where you can view these three countries. The Golden Triangle region has historically been known for opium production and smuggling. In the 20th century, the mountainous area at the intersection of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos was the world's largest opium-producing region. We travelled to little villages, Mae Sai border; trekked up mountains and drifted down the Mekong River to Chiang Saen on bamboo rafts which we accessed on elephant back. Remote and wonderful.