To see in Chiang Rai

What to see in Chiang Rai

The most famous temple in Chiang Rai is undoubtedly the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun. This is one of the most famous and probably the most surprising temple Thailand! It is located a few kilometers out of Chiang Rai. But in the city, there are also very beautiful temples. Wat Phra Kaew and its magnificent Buddha in front of the red and gold background of the main wihaan or Wat Ched Yod and its slimmer statue or Wat Phra Singh and its beautiful roofs, you will have the choice ! And out of the city, in the mountains, you have plenty of beautiful spots to discover like Doi Chang and its coffee plantations, Doi Tung with its floral park and the royal villa mix between a Swiss chalet and a Lanna house, large tea plantations, some amazing temples and the Golden Triangle. There is also a recent temple with a huge statue of Guan-Im often mistakenly called the Chiang Rai Big Buddha (while it is not a Buddha). There are plenty of places to visit in and around Chiang Rai.
I also listed at the end of the page some good tours, excursions and activities that you can do in Chiang Rai or from Chiang Rai. Click here to see them.

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

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.

Find a room in Chiang Rai

Other places to visit in Chiang Rai

Wat Phra Singh

Cherntawan Meditation Center

Fish Cave Temple (Wat Tham Pla)

Doi Pha Tang

Doi In Cee

Wat Jed Yod

Elephant Valley Thailand

Mae Sai Border market

Phu Chi Fah

Doi Mae Salong

Wat Phra That Pha Ngao

Wat Phra Non

Golden Triangle

Doi Tung

Singha Park

Choui Fong Tea Plantation

Huay Kaew Waterfall

Pha Soet Hot Springs

Rai Mae Fah Luang

Wat Phra That Doi Jom Thong

Wat Doi Ngam Muang

108 pillars of Chiang Rai city

King Meng Rai Monument

Phu Sang Waterfall

Chiang Rai Beach

Other visits suggestions in Chiang Rai

Oub Kham Museum
2 km from downtown, this renowned museum of Chiang Rai has an impressive collection of artifacts of Lanna Kingdom.

Doi Mae Salong
This other mountain in Chiang Rai province is first and foremost famous for its tea production and for the pagoda built as a tribute to the princess mother of King Rama 9. Visitors come for the freshness, the magnificent views and see the tea process (plantations, picking , roasting ...)

Doi Mae Salong
This other mountain in Chiang Rai province is first and foremost famous for its tea production and for the pagoda built as a tribute to the princess mother of King Rama 9. Visitors come for the freshness, the magnificent views and see the tea process (plantations, picking , roasting ...)

Doi Mae Salong
This other mountain in Chiang Rai province is first and foremost famous for its tea production and for the pagoda built as a tribute to the princess mother of King Rama 9. Visitors come for the freshness, the magnificent views and see the tea process (plantations, picking , roasting ...)

Tours 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.

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