Top places to visit in Chiang Rai

• Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai

  Temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h

  Ancient temple that once housed the revered Emerald Buddha. The current jade replica is equally beautiful.

• Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

  Temple · 4.6 rating · about 1 h

  Striking electric-blue temple with intricate naga serpent carvings and golden Buddha. More serene than the White Temple.

• Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

  Temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 100

  Iconic all-white contemporary Buddhist temple designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. One of Thailand's most photographed landmarks.

• Golden Triangle Viewpoint

  Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 1 h

  Confluence of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar where the Mekong and Ruak rivers meet. Historic opium trade hub.

• Wat Huay Pla Kang

  Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h

  Hilltop temple crowned by a colossal white Guan Yin statue with an elevator viewpoint.

• Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

  Market · 4.2 rating · about 2 h

  Evening market with hill-tribe handicrafts, silverware, silk textiles and street food.

• Singha Park Chiang Rai

  Nature · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h

  8,000-rai agricultural park with flower gardens, tea fields, fruit orchards and animal zones.

• Chiang Saen Historic Town

  Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 100

  Ancient walled Lanna city on the Mekong with 13th-century ruins including Wat Pa Sak.

• Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang Garden

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry THB 90

  Former residence of the Princess Mother at 1,200 m elevation, surrounded by spectacular flower gardens.

• Phu Chi Fah Viewpoint

  Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 20

  Dramatic 1,628 m cliff-top sunrise viewpoint. Sea-of-clouds at dawn in cool season.

• Mae Kok Riverfront

  Nature · 4.1 rating · about 1 h

  Riverside promenade and longtail-boat departure point through hill-tribe country.

• Mae Fah Luang Art & Culture Park

  Museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry THB 200

  Outstanding Lanna antiques and Buddhist art in beautiful teak pavilions and gardens.

Things to do

• White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) Visit Cultural · 2 h · from THB 100 per person
• Golden Triangle Day Trip from Chiang Rai Cultural · 8 h · from THB 1,200 per person
• Doi Mae Salong Tea Country Tour Sightseeing · 8 h · from THB 760 per person
• Singha Park Bike & Tea Tour Adventure · 3 h · from THB 410 per person
• Chiang Rai Night Bazaar & Clock Tower Visit Shopping · 2.5 h · from THB 170 per person
• Blue Temple & Black House (Baan Dam) Combined Tour Cultural · 3 h · from THB 520 per person
• Phu Chi Fa Sunrise Trek Adventure · 10 h · from THB 860 per person
• Choui Fong Tea Plantation Visit Sightseeing · 4 h · from THB 520 per person

Day trips and tours

• White Temple, Blue Temple & Black House Day Tour 8 h · from THB 710
• Golden Triangle & Doi Tung Full-Day Tour 10 h · from THB 1,100

Where to stay in Chiang Rai

• City Center about THB 2,000 per night

  Main commercial area with mid-range accommodation

Hotels

• Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle 5-star · THB 40,000 to THB 90,000 per night
• Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort 5-star · THB 18,000 to THB 40,000 per night
• Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, Thailand 5-star
• The Riverie by Katathani 5-star · THB 2,500 to THB 6,000 per night
• The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort 4-star · THB 2,000 to THB 4,500 per night
• Mercy Hostel 2-star · THB 300 to THB 800 per night

Where to eat

• Larb Sanam Keela Northern Thai, Lanna · about THB 180 per person
• Lu Lam Northern Thai, Lanna · about THB 350 per person
• Phu Lae Restaurant Northern Thai, Thai · about THB 350 per person
• Salungkham Northern Thai, Lanna · about THB 350 per person
• Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House Bistro & Bar European, Thai, Cafe · about THB 350 per person
• Melt In Your Mouth Cafe, Thai, International · about THB 350 per person
• Khao Soi Phor Jai Northern Thai, Khao Soi · about THB 180 per person
• Khao Soi Vijittra Northern Thai, Khao Soi · about THB 180 per person

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Shared Taxi main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Generic tourist overcharge

  Major tourist zones

  Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.

  How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.

Best time to visit Chiang Rai

• May 34°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for May: 226.5 mm, 14.5 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG RAI (WMO 48303)).
• Jun 33°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for June: 186.2 mm, 14.6 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG RAI (WMO 48303)).
• Jul 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for July: 317.6 mm, 19.6 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG RAI (WMO 48303)).
• Aug 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for August: 372.9 mm, 20.5 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG RAI (WMO 48303)).
• Sep 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 275.1 mm, 14.7 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHIANG RAI (WMO 48303)).

More in Thailand

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• Phuket
• Chiang Mai
• Krabi
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