Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Arrive around 7 p.m. and you'll understand why this tower is photographed more than almost anything else in the city center. A free light and music show takes place at 7, 8, and 9 p.m., each lasting about seven minutes. The golden decorations change color as traffic flows around the roundabout. After all, it is a roundabout. While you shouldn't spend the whole day just for this, if you're having dinner in town anyway, the few minutes are well spent.

The design is by Chalermchai Kositpipat, the same artist who designed the White Temple. This is evident in the intricate gold patterns and the northern Thai style. The tower was erected in 2005 to commemorate the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. While it appears less imposing in daylight, the streets radiating from it are lined with cafes, bakeries, bars, and shops. This makes the tower a popular meeting place in Chiang Rai and an ideal starting point for a stroll through the city center.