Top places to visit in Chiang Rai

• Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai

  temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

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

• Golden Triangle Viewpoint

  tourist_attraction · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

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

• Singha Park Chiang Rai

  tourist_attraction · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry

  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 · check the fee at the gate

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

• Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang Garden

  royal-villa · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

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

• Phu Chi Fah Viewpoint

  national_park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

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

• Mae Kok Riverfront

  river · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

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

• Mae Fah Luang Art & Culture Park

  Museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Chiang Rai

Airport: Chiang Rai (CEI)

How visitors arrive in Chiang Rai

• Flight from Bangkok By air from Bangkok · common

  Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport sits a short distance from the centre; the guide lists domestic flights to Bangkok, Hat Yai and Phuket. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Chiang Mai By road from Chiang Mai · common

  Long-distance buses from Chiang Mai and elsewhere in Thailand use the new bus station south of the centre; a shared shuttle also runs from Chiang Mai. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to Chiang Mai, then road By train from Chiang Mai · possible

  There is no train to Chiang Rai itself; the nearest station is in Chiang Mai, so rail travellers continue by bus. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Boat down the Kok River By ferry from Thaton · possible

  River boats link Chiang Rai with Thaton, a route taken more for the scenery than as a main way in. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Airport bus to town

  An air-conditioned bus links Chiang Rai airport with central Chiang Rai. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Prepaid taxi desk

  Airport taxis can be arranged at service points in the arrivals hall. Ask for the price before you set off and keep any slip you are given. Source: chiangrai.airportthai.co.th

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Songthaew between bus terminals

  Long-distance buses use the New Bus Station south of town; a songthaew connects it to the Old Bus Station in the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental useful for some trips

  Some guesthouses in Chiang Rai rent motorbikes, a handy way to make trips out into the surrounding province.

• Shared Taxi main way to get around

  Songthaews and tuk-tuks make up most of Chiang Rai's public transport, and songthaews shuttle between the two bus terminals.

• Walking

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

• Jan 26°C
• Feb 29°C
• Mar 33°C
• Apr 35°C
• May 34°C
• Jun 33°C
• Jul 31°C
• Aug 31°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 29°C
• Nov 27°C
• Dec 25°C

More in Thailand

• Bangkok
• Pattaya
• Phuket
• Chiang Mai
• Krabi
• Surat Thani (Koh Samui)

Frequently asked questions about Chiang Rai

How many days do you need in Chiang Rai?

A typical trip to Chiang Rai is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Chiang Rai?

The highest-rated places in our Chiang Rai guide are Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai, Wat Huay Pla Kang, Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang Garden, Phu Chi Fah Viewpoint, Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple).

Where should I stay in Chiang Rai?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Chiang Rai: City Center.

How do I get around Chiang Rai?

Ways to get around Chiang Rai covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Shared taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Chiang Rai?

Scams reported to us for Chiang Rai include Generic tourist overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Chiang Rai?

Average daytime highs in Chiang Rai run from 25°C in Dec to 35°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Chiang Rai?

The nearest airport to Chiang Rai has the code CEI.