Commencing its arduous journey from Qinghai Province near the Chinese and Tibetan border Mekong River first crosses China’s Yunnan Province and forms a natural border between Laos and Myanmar as well as Laos and Thailand, before it travels to Cambodia and Vietnam’s southern reaches and empties into the South China Sea. Home to one of the richest regions of biodiversity on the globe the Mekong basin is only second to the Amazon in terms of its biodiversity heritage. In fact, the Greater Mekong Sub region supports a whopping 1,200 bird species, 20,000 plant varieties, 850 fish species, 800 reptiles and 430 mammals. More than 145 new species of fish, birds, reptiles and mammals were discovered in this region in 2009 that were previously unknown to scientists.
The Mekong River is also home to the largest variety of enormous fish species in the globe with no other river possessing such massive and magnificent aquatic creatures. The highlights include the giant river carp of 70kg and a length of 1.5 metres as well as the Mekong freshwater stingray which has an impressive wingspan of 14 feet. Other large and lavish creatures inhabiting the Mekong include the highly common Mekong giant catfish, the Siamese giant carp and the giant pangasius, all of whom grow into 3m long 300kg marine animals when they reach adulthood.
Owing to its rich natural heritage the Mekong Region is blessed with 16 eco regions. This is coincidentally the biggest concentration of eco regions in Asia proper as declared by the World Wildlife Fund Global 200 initiative.
Travellers on the lookout for luxury Chiang Rai resorts will be more than pleased with the stylish Anantara Golden Triangle, Thailand. Ideally located within 10km of ancient capital Chiang Saen and with an elephant camp on-site this elegant rest is one of the most conveniently placed Chiang Rai hotels in Thailand.
