Chiang Rai is a city in Northern Thailand, where you can avoid the crowds while exploring the region, visiting remote hill tribes, and checking out the Golden Triangle, the former center of the world’s opium trade. Planning a trip to Chiang Rai in Thailand? This detailed Chiang Rai travel guide with travel tips will help you discover the city and its best things to do.
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Chiang Rai was established by King Meng Rai in 1262 as the first capital of the Lanna Kingdom. The capital was later relocated to Chiang Mai, and since then, Chiang Rai has been overshadowed by its sister city.
Nowadays, the city is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area. In the region, you can find ancient temples, wonderful nature in the jungle, magnificent mountain scenery, and hill tribe villages.
Things to do in Chiang Rai
The city in Northern Thailand and its surroundings have plenty of tourist attractions and other things to do in Chiang Rai for travelers to spend at least several days.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) is located outside the city of Chiang Rai. It’s a unique modern temple designed and built by a famous local artist. A beautiful white temple is decorated with silver glittering pieces of mirrors. There are large mural paintings of Buddha and unusual icons from modern culture, such as spaceships and Superman, inside the temple. Work on the temple is not completed as new elements and structures are constantly added.
White Temple can be visited independently by getting there on a bus, departing from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1.
A visit to Wat Rong Khun is also included in the itinerary of almost every tour around the city. If your time in Northern Thailand is very limited, the White Temple and other main attractions of the city can also be visited on a day trip from Chiang Mai.
Baan Dam (Black House/Black Temple)
Despite the well-established name of Black Temple, this Chiang Rai tourist attraction is not really a temple. The Black House, by local people more commonly referred to by the name "Baan Dam", is an exhibition or an open-air museum of nearly 40 traditional style houses.
While the White Temple symbolizes heaven, Baan Dam could be hell. There are a number of works of art inspired by Buddhist teachings about death, age, illness, and suffering through the media of animal bones, skulls, animal skins, and hunting tools of primitive peoples in the houses. The Black House is surrounded by trees that create a mysterious and dark atmosphere.
You can include a visit to Baan Dam as part of your itinerary on the Chiang Rai Full-Day Customizable Private Tour.
Wang Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
The Blue Temple is more often referred to by locals with the name "Wang Rong Suea Ten”, which means "Dancing Tiger Temple". This temple, the construction of which started in October 2005 and ended in January 2016, consists of very vibrant blue colors.
The temple is a masterpiece of Phuttha Kabkaew, a student of Chalermchai Kositpipat, the creator of the White Temple. The purpose of the blue color in the temple is that blue means wisdom, eternity, healing, and purity in Buddhist teaching.
The Blue Temple is also visited on the majority of city tours, such as this Chiang Rai Popular Sightseeing Tour.
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Wat Huay Pla Kang, sometimes called the Red Temple or Lady's Buddha Temple, is the place where you can see the famous 9-floor pagoda and the 12 structures that surround it. There's also the giant Buddha statue, which is the biggest Buddha statue in Chiang Rai. You can get inside the statue and go up to enjoy great scenic views from up there.
Wat Huay Pla Klang can be visited on this Famous Temples & Lalita Cafe’ Private Tour.
Wat Phra Kaew
Even if it is not visited on usual tours, actually Wat Phra Kaew is the most important temple in Chiang Rai, where the Emerald Buddha is housed. The legend says that the lightning split the temple in two, and the Buddha was found. The original Emerald Buddha statue is currently residing in Bangkok, in the temple of the same name that is located in the territory of the Grand Palace. Here you can see the copy made by Chinese artist.
Next door, there is a wooden building, which houses a small museum where you can admire objects from the Lanna culture and the history of Buddhism.
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle (locally known as Sop Ruak) is a place where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma) come together on the banks of the Mekong River. This area once was the hub of opium production and trading.
The Golden Triangle is known for its beautiful scenery, as from the viewpoint you can see the three neighboring countries and the mighty Mekong River. There’s also a large golden Buddha image on a boat, an ancient temple on a hill, and the House of Opium Museum in the area. It’s possible to take a boat trip on the Mekong River or a short boat ride to an island in Laos Don Sao, where the local market can be visited without a visa for Laos.
The Golden Triangle is a popular spot in the area and is often part of tours such as this Chiang Rai Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour.
Trekking to Hill Tribe Villages
Jungle trekking is a very popular experience in Chiang Rai province, as you can explore the mountains along various hiking trails. Most of these trails lead to the villages of diverse hill tribes, many of whom maintain their traditional lifestyles.
A visit to Long Neck Village is a popular stop on the tours around the province. However, it is only suitable if you don't mind that the place is ruined by mass tourism.
For a more exceptional experience, join one of the jungle trekking tours that include a visit to authentic hill tribe villages such as Akha and Lahu.
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is the city’s main night market, located near the old bus station. Here you will find a wide range of goods for tourists, from handmade items, clothes, and jewelry to shoes and many other items embroidered by the hill tribes of Northern Thailand. We would recommend negotiating with a smile on your face to get the best price.
Even if you are not into shopping, Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is still worth visiting, as this night market is also a great place to eat dinner. There are several bars and a large food court, where you can try authentic Thai food. There is also a big stage for evening shows, such as live music played by local artists and dancing in national costumes, to keep you entertained.
Other Chiang Rai attractions
The extended list of Chiang Rai tourist attractions will help you to find the best things to do in the city and province.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
If you want to explore the city and its surroundings conveniently, you should stay in the center of the city - best hotels are located there. Discover the best hotels in Chiang Rai city center.
To have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the night with elephants, consider staying at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. This luxury resort is nestled amongst bamboo forest, lush gardens, and rice paddies. Each room features a balcony with views of the Mekong River, and you can enjoy one of the three activities offered by the resort, including spa treatment, elephant camp experience, or countryside tour.
A bit out of the city, you can find nice resorts such as this Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, where you can enjoy being surrounded by amazing nature.
To get the best deal on accommodation, make sure to compare hotel deals on Booking.com with often better special offers on Agoda.
How to get to Chiang Rai
You can reach Chiang Rai by air or by bus.
Flights to Chiang Rai
Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) is located about 10 kilometers from the city. The airport mainly receives domestic flights from Bangkok. Domestic low-cost and full-service carriers serve the airport, offering a good variety of flights.
Flight deals can be found here: Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
From the airport, you can reach the city by a public bus service, CR Bus. Another option is booking a private CEI Airport transfer.
Bus to Chiang Rai
Long-distance buses of various companies connect the city with Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and other major cities in Thailand. In Bangkok, buses to Chiang Rai leave from Mo Chit Bus Terminal.
Bus schedules can be found, and bus tickets can be booked here:
Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Buses of the company Greenbus from Chiang Mai arrive at the centrally located Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1. However, most long-distance buses end their trip at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, which is situated a few kilometers out from the city center. CR Bus connects both bus terminals with the city center and airport.
Other transportation options
More transportation options for a trip can be found, and transport tickets can be booked by this search form.
Weather in Chiang Rai
Between November and May, the weather is mostly dry with little rain expected for much of this time. The dry season here is broken up into the periods of cool season (November to February) and hot season (March to May), when it is not unusual for the temperature to reach up to 40°C.
The wet season is from May to October. The rain usually comes in the form of short showers, lasting an hour or two. As the rainy season progresses, the rain can become heavier and more constant, traditionally reaching peak levels in August and September.
For the best time to visit the area, check our guide to the weather in Chiang Rai.
Destinations after Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai, the largest city in Northern Thailand, is the most popular choice after visiting the area.
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the largest city in the country, with tons of things to do and see, so you can easily spend days or weeks there and not get bored.
Sukhothai is the site where you can see lots of ancient temple ruins from old times.
Luang Prabang, the famous ancient city in Laos, can also be visited by taking a slow boat along the river or by getting to Laos via the Chiang Saen Border Crossing.
