Chiang Rai is a city in northern Thailand that was founded in 1296 and served as the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. It is now one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, known for attractions like Phu Chi Fah, the Sunday Market, and Wat Rung Kun, also called the White Temple. The town of Mae Sai is a major border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar, while Chiang Khong is mainly visited as a stopover point en route to Laos via the Fourth Friendship Bridge.