Frequently Asked Questions about traveling to Chiang Rai

FAQ Chiang Rai - Questions and Answers

Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions people have when planning a trip to Chiang Rai. We provide brief responses. To learn more, we invite you to explore all our pages about Chiang Rai to get comprehensive and detailed information.

Sommaire

• What are the main tourist attractions in Chiang Rai?
• Where to stay in Chiang Rai?
• What tours to do in and around Chiang Rai?
• When is the best time to visit Chiang Rai?
• How to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai or Bangkok?
• How to get around Chiang Rai?

What are the main tourist attractions in Chiang Rai?

The must-see places in Chiang Rai are:

• The White Temple or Wat Rong Khun, which is the most famous and unmissable monument in Chiang Rai
• The Wat Rong Suea Ten, also called the Blue Temple, is also very beautiful
• The Black House or Baan Dam Museum, a somewhat pyechelic place that doesn't appeal to everyone
• The Golden Triangle region, bordering three countries, where you can take a boat trip on the Mekong River

These are the monuments that everyone will recommend in Chiang Rai, but you can find plenty of other interesting places on our page on visits to do in Chiang Rai!

Where to stay in Chiang Rai?

Tourists often choose a hotel in Chiang Rai, in the city. It's true that it's convenient for visiting the temples in the center and getting to the Night Bazaar or the Walking Streets on weekends. But there are some nice places offering a lovely setting outside the city, like this guesthouse in Chiang Rai, run by a French-Thai couple.

What tours to do in and around Chiang Rai?

The selection of excursions in Chiang Rai is quite extensive, but they mainly focus on its magnificent mountains for treks, farm stays, getaways to the Golden Triangle, visits to tea or coffee plantations, and moments with mountain tribes such as the Akha, Karen, or Lisu. It's also possible to have a respectful encounter with elephants.

To organize your excursions, I recommend contacting this French-speaking agency based in Chiang Rai!

When is the best time to visit Chiang Rai?

You'll probably read everywhere that the best time to visit Chiang Rai is when it's not raining (December to March), but I personally think the province is at its most beautiful from July to mid-August. It's certainly the rainy season, but if there are showers, it's also the beginning of the rice-growing season and a time when nature is lush and the landscapes magnificent. Otherwise, the weather trends in Chiang Rai are:

• November to February: Cool and dry weather, ideal for sightseeing (but burnt, generally between mid-February and mid-April).
• March-April: Very hot months.
• May to October: Rainy season but lush greenery.

How to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai or Bangkok?

To get to Chiang Rai, you can choose between bus and plane, but trains don't yet serve the city. Tourists generally travel from Chiang Mai using Greenbus, which has a monopoly on transfers between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. However, you can find all the options on the page dedicated to transport to Chiang Rai.

How to get around Chiang Rai?

The means of transportation for getting around Chiang Rai are:

• Tuk-tuks: Available in the city, but few at night.
• Songthaews (shared pickup trucks): Slow but economical for reaching certain villages or the White Temple.
• Local buses: Serve most towns in the province.
• Scooter or car rental: An international driving license is required (along with a motorcycle license if renting a scooter).