19° 45′ N, 99° 40′ E
Overview
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1. Wat Huay Pla Kang: Goddess of Mercy
Practical
The entrance fee for Wat Hueay Pla Kang is free.
The elevator is 40 THB.
Daily open from 07:00 am until 09:00 pm
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2. The White Temple - Wat Rong Khun
The White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun, is hands down the most popular attraction in Chiang Rai—and for good reason. It’s one of the most beautiful and unique temples in Thailand, and at the same time a bit bizarre. The all-white design represents heaven, and it’s packed with fascinating details. Designed by visionary Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, construction began in 1997, and it was opened to the public not long after.
Why do we also find this temple a bit bizarre? Well, some of the statues around the temple represent various things such as death and rebirth, but also inside the temple, you’ll find paintings in which contemporary things are featured, such as the minions.
Practical
The entrance fee for Wat Rong Khun is 100 THB.
Daily open from 08:00 am until 05:00 pm
Tip: Save your bathroom break until your visit to the white temple. On the temple site of Wat Rong Khun, you find one of the most striking toilets in the world. It’s completely covered in gold, full of details in the same style as the white temple.
3. The Blue Temple - Wat Rong Suea Ten
You will find many beautiful sculptures in and around the temple, including some that represent the tigers. It might not be the most authentic temple in Thailand, but definitely unique and one of the best things to do in Chiang Rai.
We recommend you to visit as early as possible to beat the crowds as it is, just like the White Temple, one of the top things to do in Chiang Rai.
Practical
The entrance fee for Wat Rong Suea Ten is free.
Daily open from 07:00 am until 08:00 pm
4. Chiang Rai Night Markets and Bazaar
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Chiang Rai and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
via Booking.com
5. Black House - Baan Dam Museum
Practical
The entrance fee for Baan Dam Museum is 80 THB.
Daily open from 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Tip: A cool feature of the museum is that you can scan a QR code for various paintings with your mobile phone, which brings the works to life!
6. Wat Phra Kaew
The temple was discovered in 1434, but no one knows exactly when it was founded. It was originally home to the famous Emerald Buddha, which is now moved to the Wat Phra Kaew Temple in the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Luckily, there’s now a replica called Phra Kaew Morakot, made of green jade. On the temple site, you also find a prayer hall and a museum that illustrate many aspects of religious art in Lanna over hundreds of years.
Practical
The entrance fee for Wat Phra Kaew is free.
The temple is daily open from 06:00 am until 06:00 pm.
The museum is daily open from 09:00 am until 05:00 pm.
7. Khun Korn Waterfall
Khun Korn Waterfall is a must-see spot in Chiang Rai, especially if you love nature and hiking. It’s the tallest waterfall in the area, surrounded by lush forest, and it’s an awesome place to escape the city for a bit.
The waterfall is located about a 30-minute drive from the center of Chiang Rai. The journey starts off mostly on the highway, but once you leave the main road, it turns into a scenic drive through charming villages and lush, green landscapes.
To get to the waterfall, you’ll take a scenic hike through the jungle along some bamboo bridges, which takes around 30 minutes. The trail is well-marked, pretty easy, and totally worth it when you arrive at the 70-meter-high waterfall. It’s a great spot to relax, take a dip, and enjoy the natural beauty of Chiang Rai.
8. Choui Fong Tea Plantation
The Choui Fong Tea Plantation is Chiang Rai’s largest tea plantation, located a one-hour drive from the center. The plantation focuses on producing high-quality tea leaves from a variety of tea types and visiting these lush green rolling fields is definitely one of the best things to do in Chiang Rai.
Practical
The entrance fee for the Choui Fong Tea Plantation is free.
The tea plantation is daily open from 08:30 am until 05:30 pm.
9. Chiang Rai Clock Tower
Extra: Chiang Rai Flower Festival
The Chiang Rai Flower Festival is a beautiful and colorful event held every year, usually in December and January. During this festival, the 75th Anniversary Flag and Lamp Park, the main park of Chiang Rai, is filled with colorful floral displays and flower sculptures.
You can wander through themed gardens filled with thousands of vibrant blooms, from orchids to tulips.
There are also live performances, food stalls, and local crafts. It’s completely free, so there’s no reason not to visit if you’re in town during the event!
Practical Information
Best time to visit Chiang Rai
Generally, Thailand knows 3 seasons: wet season (May to October/November), cool season (November to February) and hot season (March to May).
Therefore, the best time to visit Chiang Rai is between November and January, during cool season, when the temperatures are more pleasant to explore and there’s less rain. Know that this period is also high tourist season, so you can expect bigger crowds and higher prices.
You should definitely avoid traveling to northern Thailand during the burning season, usually during February and March. This is when the local farmers burn the trash from their fields, causing the air to become completely polluted and visibility to become very poor.
How to get to Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has its own International Airport, with direct flights arriving from other parts of Thailand, such as Bangkok, and major cities in Asia. The airport is located only a 15-20 minute drive from the center of Chiang Rai.
If you are traveling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, you can take a 3-hour bus ride or you can join a day trip.
If you would like to discover more places in Thailand, it is also recommended to rent a car. The roads are generally in good condition and you can travel through the country with much more freedom.
How to get around in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a small city, and most of the interesting places inside the city center are within walking distance from each other.
However, some of the best things to do in Chiang Rai are located a bit further from the center. To visit these places, you can rent a scooter, take a taxi or Grab, or join a tour. Prices for a motorbike rental vary from 200 – 400 THB per day, depending on the model.
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Where to Stay in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai offers all kinds of accommodations, such as hotels, luxury resorts, hostels and guesthouses for every budget. Probably the most popular area to stay in inside city center, close to the clock tower, where you find a wide variety of restaurants and bars. Also the night markets are within walking distance.
If you are looking for a more quiet getaway, you can stay in one of the beautiful mountain resorts outside the city center or the more high-end resorts near the riverside.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Chiang Rai and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
via Booking.com
How many days for Chiang Rai
Around 2 to 3 full days in Chiang Rai should give you enough time to see all the city’s beautiful temples, explore the surroundings, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere in the city.
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However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
