Silver is their preferred symbol of wealth. Indeed, Akha women wear, besides equally distinctive miniskirts and leggings, unusual headdresses made from plumes and vintage silver coins largely of French Indo-Chinese or British Indian origin. Many such women are accomplished weavers of cloth which they decorate with their own distinctive, predominantly geometric embroidery. Such items number among the more popular souvenirs, and come in the form of purses. Akha silver ware is also a popular purchase, and comprises mainly bracelets, necklaces, belts and pendants.
Most provincial attractions lie north of the provincial capital.
Road travelers can visit major destinations within the space of one day. Chiang Saen was founded by King Mengrai before Chiang Rai and is historically important, because a distinctive style of Buddhist sculpture evolved there during the late thirteenth century. Adjacent to, and almost dwarfed by the chedi, a branch of the National Museum contains bronze Buddha images and artifacts excavated locally. 12 kilometres north of Chiang Saen, a riverside area has been officially designated The Golden Triangle . The spot, known locally as Sop Ruak, precisely marks the convergence of the Mae Sai and Mekong rivers which form the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.