Chiang Rai in Thailand

เชียงราย
Northern Thailand
823 km from Bangkok
Province of Chiang Rai
Population : 75 000

Budget

Recomm. stay

3 jours minimum

Visits

General Information about Chiang Rai

Capital town of the most northern province of Thailand, Chiang Rai is a city of the famous Golden Triangle area. It is the starting point for treks and excursions into the jungle and mountains to meet the hill tribes. The most famous monument here is the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun. Located a few kilometers from Lao and Burmanese borders, Chiang Rai is also a gateway to these countries. Those who want to experience the wilderness of Thailand often come here. Trekking, rafting, taking care of elephants, cycling, river cruises, discovery of the hill tribes and all kinds of activities in the nature are proposed.

Accommodations in Chiang Rai

To sleep in Chiang Rai, there are many guesthouses with a very good quality/price ratio. One of the best in Thailand. They are scattered across the city but you will find a some of them near Wat Ched Yod and Ched Yod Road, the street that leads to the temple or on Santirach Road where there are 4 or 5 guest houses in a radius of 100 meters. You can find any category of accommodation in Chiang Rai. Even totally outdated places whith prices that may seem attractive even for the modest level of comfort but you will find much better rooms in guesthouses at the same price. I have experienced it.

Find accommodation in Chiang Rai

My recommandations

People often ask me what accommodations I recommaend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Chiang Rai.

Baan Rub Aroon Guesthouse

Guesthouse in Chiang Rai

Chat House

Guesthouse in Chiang Rai

Angels Chambres d hôtes

Guesthouse in Chiang Rai

See all accommodations in Chiang Rai

Practical information about Chiang Rai

There is no railway station in Chiang Rai, you can only reach the city by plane or bus. A bus ride from Bangkok takes around 11 hours but the plane is clearly the best option to come to Chiang Rai from Bangkok. Note that Green Bus buses are the only option to come from Chiang Mai, there is no minivan or other bus company connecting the two cities, so I recommend you to book your bus ticket in advance, at least the day before, otherwise you will probably wait 2 to 3 hours before taking place in a bus to Chiang Rai (online booking HERE).

Tours & activities in Chiang Rai and around

This selection includes tours, excursions and activities that I have personally tested or were tested by people I fully trust but also offers by recognized agencies or websites known for their seriousness and quality but from who I only have tested one or two of their offers (I then indicate (ad) below the photo). Feel free to give me feedback on these services to ensure that they are good quality otherwise I may remove it from the list.

TakeMeTour (Ad)

See Sunset at White Temple with Heartmade Meal in a Farm

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, we'll visit the fanciful Blue Temple, have organic lunch and Blue Latte at the farm restaurant Sawan Bon Din (Heaven on Earth), Black house, Singha Park and see the vanilla sunset (weather pemitting) at the White temple.

TakeMeTour (Ad)

Doi Tung Royal Villa & White Temple with Signature Northern Meal

We'll start at White Temple, then let's have Northern Thai-style lunch at a local's favorite restaurant. After that, we'll go to Doi Tung Development Project, an area aimed to preserve nature and better the lives of local hill tribes. From flower garden to Tree Top Walk and visiting Akha people, Doi Tung Development Project is a great place to enjoy nature and learn about a local way of life.

TakeMeTour (Ad)

Blue Temple, White Temple, Black House, Lotus Temple & Best Khao Soi

Visit some of most beautiful temples in the world, one all white and one all blue! We'll also go to the unique Black House museum, also the lotus temple unseen in Thailand and have one of the best Khao Soi in Chiang Rai for lunch.

TakeMeTour (Ad)

Discover White Temple & Choui Fong Tea Plantation in Chiang Rai

White Temple one of the most famous temple in Thailand, Blue Temple, Singha Park and visit the buildings that are attractive especially for architects at Choui Fong Tea Plantation. You can see panoramic view of mountains and tea plantation.

How to get around in Chiang Rai ?

Generally travelers choose tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxis to get around in Chiang Rai. There are also some rare air-conditioned taxis. To visit the city, there is a free tram going on a circuit through the most interesting attractions. There are two bus terminals in Chiang Rai. One is ten kilometers from the city and hosts the bus to the other provinces (the Green Bus them serve both terminals) and one is in the city near Chiang Rai night market. A local bus connects the two terminals for 15 baht but only leaves when it is full. Since mid October 2018, there is a new bus service connectiong Chiang Rai airport to both bus terminals and Chiang Rai city.
To get out of the city, there are local buses leaving for one of the city bus terminals. There is a the bus to White Temple for instance. You can also use GRAB app (similar to UBER but UBER does not operate in Southestern Asia any more) to order a transportation.

How to ask in Thai to go to Chiang Rai ?

I want to go to Chiang Rai / Yak paï ti Chiang Rai.
Where is Chiang Rai ? / Chiang Rai you ti naï ?

Must-visits in Chiang Rai

White Temple or Wat Rong Khun

วัดร่องขุ่น

My opinion :

This temple is different from those we are used to cross in Thailand with their gilding and strong colors. Wat Rong Khun is completely white. It is located 13 km in the South of Chiang Rai at the intersection of highway to Chiang Mai and highway to Phayao.

Wat Phra Kaew

วัดพระแก้ว

My opinion :

In Lanna style, it housed the statue of Emerald that now is in Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok and has a copy of it.

Wat Rong Suea Ten - Blue Temple

วัดร่องเสือเต้น

My opinion :

Wat Rong Seua Ten is also known as the blue temple because it is its dominant color. A little outside Chiang Rai city, its interior with a magnificent white Buddha is just magnificent. Still little known by tourists because very recent, its popularity will certainly go growing very fast !

Black House (Baan Dam)

บ้านดำ

My opinion :

As the name suggests it is a black house, actuallly several houses built by a Thai artist. It is probably the second best known place in Chiang Rai (it is a few kilometers outside the city) although its decoration consisting of skeletons and skulls of animals can disturb some visitors.

Wat Huay Pla Kung (Big Buddha)

วัดห้วยปลากั้ง

My opinion :

The temple is often mistakenly called Chiang Rai's Big Buddha, but its impressive white statue does not represent Lord Buddha, but Guan Yin, the goddess of Mercy. TAnyway, this recent temple, partly still under construction, worths a visit ! Located a few kilometers from the city, it is really beautiful!

Doi Chang

ดอยช้าง

My opinion :

This mountain offers beautiful sceneries and is known throughout Thailand for its coffee, the most famous and most delicious coffee in Thailand. Going up there, you can meet the hill tribes that grow the coffee plant and see the whole process of its transformation and of course enjoy great views, or maybe discover some surprises....

Sunday Walking Street

สันโค้งถนนคนม่วน

My opinion :

This big night market, set up in a street in the center of Chiang Rai becoming pedestrian for the occasion, is one of the things I love the most about Thailand. It is a funny and friendly place for shopping but also and above all to come for dinner and discover the Thai Street Food, one of the best and most tasteful in the world.

Saturday Walking Street

ถนนคนเดินเชียงราย

My opinion :

Another big night market that settles in a street in the center of Chiang Rai beoming pedestrian to accommodate for a few hours vendors of all kinds (clothes, souvenirs, vegetables, artcrafts) and of course many Street food stalls

Elephant Valley Thailand

My opinion :

This elephant sanctuary opened in 2016. It offers a truly respectful and responsible meeting with the elephants experience. You will not ride them, you will not wash them, you will not watch them do tricks to entertain you, you will just observe them live their elephant life at a reasonable distance. The goal of this park is to let elephants be elephants and that's why I recommend it.

Night Bazaar

ไนท์บาซาร์

My opinion :

This night market takes place every night in Chiang Rai city right next to the Bus Terminal Number 1. You can certainly do a little shopping there but it is especially to come have dinner for cheap in a simple and typical atmosphere that I recommend it.

Wat Saeng Kaew Pothiyan

วัดแสงแก้วโพธิญาณ

My opinion :

This recent temple, its construction started in 2006, is about 50 kilometers from Chiang Rai city. It clearly worths the detour as it is certainly one of the most beautiful and impressive temples in the province.

Other places to see in Chiang Rai

Wat Phra Singh

Wat Jed Yod

Wat Phra That Doi Jom Thong

Wat Phra Non

Wat Doi Ngam Muang

108 pillars of Chiang Rai city

King Meng Rai Monument

Doi Tung

Singha Park

Choui Fong Tea Plantation

Mae Sai Border market

Cherntawan Meditation Center

Fish Cave Temple (Wat Tham Pla)

Phu Chi Fah

Doi Pha Tang

Phu Sang Waterfall

Doi In Cee

Huay Kaew Waterfall

Pha Soet Hot Springs

Golden Triangle

Doi Mae Salong

Wat Phra That Pha Ngao

Chiang Rai Beach

Rai Mae Fah Luang

Weather & climate in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai has a tropical humid and dry climate. The winters are dry and warm although in recent years there have been some waves of cold in December and January (temperatures between 14 and 18 °C in the plain but for Thailand it is cold). Temperatures rise until April, the hottest month here. The monsoon season extends from late April to October, with heavy rains and cooler temperatures during the day.

It is only in July-August that coming to Chiang Rai is not really advised because of the risk of rains. Be careful in winter (December to March), morning temperatures can be quite cool, bring a sweater in your luggage and even a warm jacket if you plan to go in the mountains.

See weather forecast in Chiang Rai

When to go to Chiang Rai ?

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