10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai, Thailand 10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai, Thailand

10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Discover Chiang Rai, a unique and underrated destination in Thailand, often missed in favor of more popular destinations like Chiang Mai or Pai. Add this laidback and authentic city to your itinerary, and explore its unparalleled temples, atmospheric night bazaar, hidden cafe culture, and riverfront restaurants. Best of all, breathtaking nature is right on the city’s fringes, with mountainous jungle trails, thundering waterfalls, green valleys, and beautiful fields of flowers just a stone’s throw away. Enjoy all the top things to do in Chiang Rai, Thailand!

Things to do in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai doesn’t have a defined city center, so most of the main sites are spread across the region. Because of this, it’s best to use taxis or rent a motorbike to discover all the top things to do in Chiang Rai.

The city itself is also a great jumping-off point to visit nearby national parks, Doi Tung Mountain, or the Golden Triangle (where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the Mekong River). Alternatively, it’s a great last stop in Thailand before heading to Laos, as there are plenty of connections.

1. Wat Huay Pla Kang (‘Big Buddha’) 

This dazzling white statue is often mistaken for a big Buddha. However, it is actually Guanyin, the smiling ‘Goddess of Mercy’, who blesses health and wealth on visitors. The statue is part of a larger Buddhist temple complex located on a hill about 30 minutes outside of the center of Chiang Rai. Because of its elevation, the site is home to incredible panoramic views of the lush countryside and mountains. Plus, it has a great perspective over the city, helping you to get your bearings in the area. (Also read our Northern Thailand itinerary)

Top things to do in Chiang Rai thailand big buddha

Spend an hour or two here at sunset, when lovely colors light up the statue and the valleys below. Wander around the peaceful complex, admiring the unique mixture of Thai Lanna and Chinese style architecture, including a beautiful pair of Chinese dragons that guard the entrance to the stunning gold pagoda (which looks even more amazing after night falls when it’s lit up).

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10 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai, Thailand

You can go to the top of both the Goddess statue and the gold pagoda. Both of these structures, as well as having lovely symbolic paintings and sculptures inside, offer the best views!

best things to do chiang rai thailand big buddha dragon

2. Baan Dam Museum

Also known as the Black House Museum, this group of over 40 dark wooden structures, set amongst peaceful gardens, was once the former home and studio of internationally renowned Thai artist Thawan Duchanee. The late artist was inspired by the themes of life, death, and nature. As such, most of the artwork in the museum is made from animal bones and skins, making for a spooky experience! 

top things to do in Chiang Rai thailand  Baan Dam Museum

The complex of black buildings includes a stunning temple with beautiful gold detailing, outdoor covered seating areas, and small wooden huts. The interior of the museum has a mysterious and atmospheric feel, created by dark decor, demonic artwork, and macabre furniture made from skulls, antlers, and animal skins. Strangely, the outside is an entirely different experience, with serene gardens filled with vibrant flowers.

Visiting Baan Dam Museum

The museum is a 20-minute drive from the center of Chiang Rai, so it’s best to hail a tuk-tuk in town or rent a motorcycle. The museum is open every day from 9 AM – 5 PM and costs 80 THB (~ 2.50 USD) to enter.

3. Blue Temple 

Discover the famous blue temple in Chiang Rai, a powerful powder blue building with the most intricate silver and gold detailing. Unusually, for most religious buildings, the temple was actually only completed in recent years (2016) and is a stunning example of contemporary Thai architecture.

Top things to do in Chiang Rai thailand Blue temple

The incredibly bright blue color symbolizes purity, wisdom, and lack of materialism and is home to many unique sculptures both externally and internally. Inside, you can also find the wheel of life mural, a Buddhist representation of the cycle of life.   

Visiting the Blue Temple

The Blue Temple is open 8 AM – 5 PM and is free to enter (although donations are welcome). The temple is relatively small, so allow for 30 minutes to 1 hour. We also recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid crowds and see the temple at its quietest.

Top temples in Chiang Rai Blue temple

4. Chivit Thamma

After visiting the Blue Temple, head to Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, which is located on the river nearby. This tree-house-like building was built over 100 years ago in the traditional Lanna style and is surrounded by serene gardens, beautiful trees, and plenty of green hanging plants. Plus, there’s a terrace where you can sit outside in the sun and enjoy a delicious coffee or a bite to eat.

Getting there: Chivit Thamma is a 30-40 minute drive from the city center. Alternatively, it’s a 5-minute walk from the blue temple.

Chivit Thamma best coffee Chiang Rai thailand

5. White Temple 

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, if not in Asia! This all-white temple is the most important and popular site in Chiang Rai and has a fascinating backstory.

Best temples in Chiang Rai

It was decided to make the temple completely white (with none of the typical gold temple detailing) to symbolize heaven. All of the sculptures you’ll find here represent life, death, and rebirth — important parts of the Buddhist cycle of life. 

white temple chiang rai side view

As you reach the temple, you’ll find a magnificent walkway bordered by snakelike sculptures, dragons, and elephant tusks. Most eerie is the Gate of Heaven, a fascinating sculpture depicting many hands reaching up from the ground.

How to Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai

The White Temple is open every day from 8 AM – 6 PM. It costs 100 THB (~ 2.70 USD) to enter the temple (or it’s free to see the outside). It is just a 20-30 minute drive from the center of Chiang Rai.

sunset in white temple Chiang Rai thailand

6. Khun Korn Waterfall 

Discover the highest waterfall in Chiang Rai! Khun Korn waterfall stands at 70 meters and is found deep in the luscious Namtok Khun Kon Forest Park. Discover the powerful torrent hidden behind a thick mist of water vapor, making for a refreshing experience!

Khun Korn Waterfall Chiang Rai thailand

You can find the beautiful falls at the end of a long bamboo walkway that runs through lush jungle, native plants, and flowers. The hike isn’t difficult; it takes around 30 minutes to cross from the parking lot.

Unfortunately, you can’t swim at the waterfall as it’s located within this protected national park. However, the mist offers a cooling end to your hike. For the best view, head up to the viewing deck to see the huge falls from above. Alternatively, you can walk down to the river base to see it from another perspective.

After you’ve visited the falls, there are plenty of other great hikes within Namtok Khun Khon Forest Park. So, if you’ve got time on your trip, grab your hiking boots and explore the jungle-covered area. For us, this was one of the best things to do in Chiang Rai!

Nature trail sign Chiang Rai Thailand

How to Get to Khun Korn Waterfall

From the center of Chiang Rai, it is approximately a 45-60 minute drive depending on traffic. Once you reach the parking lot, walk about 100 meters past the blocked-off road until you reach the start of the bamboo path. At the entrance, make sure to keep left by passing by a hut (don’t turn right where you cross the bridge). From here, it is a 1.4 km hike to the waterfall.

Namtok Khun Kon Forest Park is open every day from 8 AM – 5 PM, and it’s free to visit! Please note that sometimes, during the rainy season, the falls may be closed due to the heavy downfall of water. 

Chiang Ra

7. Night Market 

Like many cities in Thailand, night markets are one of the most integral parts of local life! Visiting the Night Market on a Saturday is one of the best things to do in Chiang Rai, with its myriad of stalls that offer everything from cute handicrafts to mouth-watering street food.

things to do chiang rai thailand night market street food

There are multiple markets in Chiang Rai, so there’s always an option. However, the Saturday night market, located in the heart of the city, is the most popular with locals. What makes this market even more special is the lack of tourists; it’s a popular spot for locals to spend the evening with friends and family, eat dinner, listen to live music, and soak up the atmosphere of a Saturday night in the city.

Opening times and entry fee: The market opens at sunset (around 6 PM) and stays open until late. Make sure to bring some cash, as many of the vendors don’t accept card payments.

street artist chiang rai night market thailand

8. Cafe Culture 

There is a surprising cafe culture in Chiang Rai, with loads of cute spots hidden all over the city. Northern Thailand is home to the best coffee plantations in the country, so like Chiang Mai and Pai, Chiang Rai has made the most of having fantastic locally sourced coffee.

Head to the river for loads of great cafes and nice views of the water. Here you’ll find all kinds of eateries, from English-style cottages serving traditional dishes to modern establishments serving up international favorites. And all of them, of course, serve great coffee! Some of our favorites for a delicious brew are:

  • Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House
  • Doi Chang Coffee
  • Akha Ama Coffee
  • Ban Mai Chay Nam
  • Norn Nung Len Cafe
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chiang rai best cafe coffee cookies

9. Chiang Rai Clock Tower 

This beautiful golden clock tower, built to commemorate the King’s birthday, is the centerpiece of the city. Designed by the same person who created the White Temple, the clock tower acts as a roundabout, often surrounded by a sea of motorcycles and tuk-tuks.

clock tower sunset Chiang Rai thailand

10. Phayao Viewpoint (Phu Langka)

Discover some of the most incredible views in Chiang Rai at the Phayao Viewpoint! This large platform sits atop a high mountain ridge overlooking a stunningly beautiful valley. We’d recommend staying the night here if you can, so you can wake up to a truly spectacular sunrise, with panoramic views of the mountains and low-lying clouds below.

things to do in Chiang rai viewpoint thailand sunset

You can stay nearby in the tiny village where the viewpoint is located. The houses line one street, and you’ll find a few cafes and restaurants (serving food in the morning and evening). Please note that there are barely accommodations on any hotel booking sites. We booked ours by looking on Google Maps and messaging them via FB. 

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viewpoints in Chiang Rai limestone thailand

Tip: Make sure to bring layers with you, as it’s slightly cooler up here in the mountains. You should also bring good footwear if you want to make the most of the beautiful hiking trails in the surrounding area.

restaurant with view phayao viewpoint thailand Chiang Rai

Getting to Phayao Viewpoint

The 3-hour drive to the viewpoint is an experience in itself, taking you through beautiful rice paddies, verdant farm fields, and scenic roads. There are multiple routes, but the most direct takes just over 2 hours on the highway. However, traffic is much busier, so we recommend taking one of the alternatives. 

Leave in the morning to avoid the midday heat, and on the way, stop at great coffee spots like Magic Mountain Cafe, Route 1148 Cafe, Paragraph Cafe, Cafe’ine, and Small Frame Coffee House. Many of these have fantastic views, and it’s a great place to meet locals, particularly as this route is popular with local Thai motorbikers. In fact, when we went in December 2022, only locals were driving this route, and they were so surprised to see us! 

Remember that not many people speak English. Because of this, it’s best to download Google Translate Thai language offline. Although, typically, 4G connections do work in this area. 

Best Cafes and Restaurants in Chiang Rai

There are some fantastic restaurants in Chiang Rai, and the city’s booming coffee culture means there is no shortage of cute cafes to discover. Head to the night markets for budget-friendly and delicious street food. Here you can try typical Northern Thai dishes, like Khao soi (spicy noodle soup) or Gaeng hang lay (aromatic curry), all made with fresh, locally-grown ingredients.

Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Chiang Rai:

  • Klean Cafe
  • Chivit Thamma
  • La Ola
  • Surf and Turf
  • The Hungry Nest
  • Tamachat Vegetarian
  • KUNDA Vegan Burger
  • Coffeenergy
  • Favola at Le Méridien
  • Melt In Your Mouth
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street food market thailand

Where to Stay in Chiang Rai

There are all types of accommodations in Chiang Rai, from budget-friendly hostels in the center to more scenic options along the river. Down by the riverside, you’ll find more upmarket options, with some high-end resorts and boutique hotels. 

We stayed at Baan Ga-Cha Villa, which we would recommend for a bigger group. Although, renting a motorcycle is necessary as it’s a little way out of the center. 

Temple facade thailand

How Many Days in Chiang Rai?

We recommend staying 3-4 days in Chiang Rai to see all the city’s famous temples and museums. This also gives you enough time to explore the many cafes and night markets. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to discover the beautiful surrounding countryside (Doi Tung Mountain). 

How to Visit Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai has an international airport that is easily accessible from other parts of Thailand, with daily flights from Bangkok. The airport is approximately 15-20 minutes from the city center (taxi = 200-300 THB). 

Find flights to Chiang Rai ✈️

Many people choose to visit on a tour from the popular destination of Chiang Mai, which is a 3-hour drive away. A tour from here includes your return transportation, a guide, and entry to all the most important sites in Chiang Rai.

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Getting From Chiang Rai to Laos

Chiang Rai is also a popular place for people to start their trip to Laos or visit the Golden Triangle. You can find many tour companies offering these trips in the city center. To get to Laos, most people take a bus to Luang Prabang or Vientiane, which takes approximately 8-12 hours. There are daily services operating. Some people choose to arrange a private car instead, which, although more expensive, does offer more comfort. Alternatively, you can fly from Chiang Rai to Vientiane (several flights a day).

temple of laos

Getting Around Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a small city, and most places you are likely to visit, like the Night Bazaar and the Clock Tower, are within walking distance of each other. Renting a bicycle is also a good option if you like to get around faster and explore a little further outside of the center. However, if you want to see some of the temples further afield or head into the mountains, you will need to rent a car or scooter or take taxis. 

Grab

When driving with taxis, we mostly used the Grab taxi app to get around the city of Chiang Rai, as it’s the most convenient, and you can see the price beforehand.

Tuk-Tuk or Songthaew

These are both cheap and convenient options for getting around and can be hailed from the street. Songthaews are the red shared taxis that are more affordable than tuk-tuks but can be a bit slower.

tuktuk iin thailand

Rent a Car or Motorcycle

Renting your own transport means you can explore at your own pace and be flexible about which places you want to visit and when. We rented scooters from B-Rider, and another good one is Nice Rental.  

vintage motorbike thailand

How Much Does Chiang Rai Cost?

Overall, Chiang Rai is a very affordable place to visit, particularly if you are staying in hostels and eating out at local restaurants or from local street food vendors. Since many of the region’s main attractions are outside of the city center, the main thing you need to budget for is transport, whether that is taking tuk-tuks or songthaews or car rental.

Costs of Traveling in Chiang Rai

Travel on a budget in Chiang Rai, from $120 − $150 USD weekly per person, mid-range $270 − $340 USD, and high-end from $340 − $480 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

Best Time to Visit Chiang Rai

The best time to visit Chiang Rai is during the cool season, from October to February. Bear in mind that this is also the high season, so although Chiang Rai is not the most touristy place in Thailand, it will be busier, and prices may be higher. The average annual temperature is around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it will be cooler the higher up into the mountains you go. 

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor
☀️
26°C
Jan
☀️
28°C
Feb
☀️
32°C
Mar
🌤
32°C
Apr
🌦️
32°C
May
🌦️
31°C
Jun
🌧️
30°C
Jul
🌧️
30°C
Aug
🌧️
30°C
Sep
🌦️
29°C
Oct
☀️
28°C
Nov
☀️
26°C
Dec
Also see: Best Time to visit Thailand

From the end of December to mid-January, many beautiful pink flowers blossom on the trees, making for even more spectacular scenery. Head to Singha Park or Doi Tung Mountain for fantastic natural displays.

16/11/2023 https://www.saltinourhair.com/thailand/chiang-rai/
Blog comments (1)

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  • Joel Barlow

    It’s Huai Pla Kaang – fish bone valley, not Huay Pla Klang (central fish valley”)

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