Becky is an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast and is now living in France as an expat. When she is not writing about travel gear and various destinations she has visited during her travels, you can find her playing with her two dogs.
Chiang Rai, Thailand remains a sleepy rural town in the northern mountains of the country. While it is a lot more relaxed than its sister town Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai has a lot to offer than just being the chilled out side-kick.
With its pleasant atmosphere, you can spend days here exploring its collection of temples and art while experiencing the diversity of its nightlife and entertainment. To me, there’s just something intriguing about a developing city. It gives you a chance to see its original charm while also getting to see what it’s evolving into.
Located in the mountains, it’s obvious that the natural beauty of Chiang Rai attracts outdoor enthusiasts and travelers alike. Therefore, expect a diverse range of activities and adventures to be had.
This small province is also worth getting to know for its relaxed vibes, good-value accommodation, and great local food. Chiang Rai is all about chilling out and taking it in slowly, savoring each moment as it comes.
Here are the best things to do in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
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As you guessed, trekking and hiking is extremely popular in Chiang Rai and why wouldn’t it be? The area has incredibly diverse landscapes so you could find yourself trekking through the jungle, tea plantations, or villages in the same day.
Some tours that are long treks even include an overnight stay in the tribe villages, so you get this amazing experience as well as taking on the physical challenge. Tribe people are so friendly, so you’ll definitely make some memories cooking, eating and laughing together!
If you’re unsure what treks to do, these are a few popular routes.
Ruta Rio Mae Kon – Chiang Rai
Mae Salong Ban Santi Khiri – Ban Thoet Thai
Bamboo Nest
Akha-hill Waterfall
Ban Pha Soet Phatthana – Ban San Sai Mai
Not really up for a physical challenge? You can easily plan your own walking tour to some pretty cool places. You could even rent motorbikes to cover larger distances and then do your own small trek to one of the many hot springs and waterfalls.
As Chiang Rai is located in Northern Thailand, the temperature is a little bit cooler than the rest of Thailand, allowing flowers and other plants to bloom endlessly.Enjoy this beautiful nature as you explore the area on foot!
While neither attraction is particularly amazing on its own, the surrounding country and views are breathtaking.
It is actually worth just coming to this area for a lazy bike ride or motorcycle journey if you don’t have time for anything else. However, if you do have time, check out these sites.
In a chamber within the side of a limestone cliff, you will find a dusty Buddha statue. This is Tham Tu Pu which takes a steep set of stairs to get to. Further down the same road, you’ll then reach Buddha Cave. Here you’ll see the tiny Buddhist temple, complete with a lone monk and numerous cats. Quirky right?
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While you’re in Chiang Rai, it would be madness to miss the views from Sop Ruak.
Known as “the center of the Golden Triangle,” the trip up to this viewpoint is worth it when you see Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet over the river. For people who don’t enjoy an amazing photo opportunity, it might not be worth the trip but for those of you who do, you can’t miss it.
Travel here by car or bike and climb the few steps to the platform. If you’re really active and want the reward of the view, then you can hike your way to the top!
Other viewpoints to see:
Doi Bo View Point
Doi Tung
Transportation: We recommend downloading the Skyscanner App and using Bookawayor 12Go website to view bus, boat, and train schedules ahead of time. We’ve used these websites all over Asia and it saves us the hassle of lining up in travel agencies or bus stations.
Explore Undiscovered Places
Instead of just booking a trek or using Chiang Rai as a stopover, take some time to explore it.
You’ll soon stumble upon local villages, hidden waterfalls, and areas that just make you feel like you’ve stepped into the wardrobe of Narnia. Hire a motorbike and venture off the main roads and out of town. Explore the realms of the surrounding mountains.
It won’t take you long to feel like you’ve discovered a whole new world, so here are some places to start with:
Like I said, Chiang Rai is a chilled out place so it really doesn’t do the party scene. Most people like to hit the Night Bazaar or Walking Street to have a few beers and street food in the open air.
Rather than flashy clubs and loud pubs, you get to take it slow and listen to live music, socialize over drinks or pool, and generally have a pretty relaxed evening. I don’t know about you but that sounds perfect to me!
Cat Bar is a popular spot for backpackers, probably due to the live jam sessions by the owner and his guitar!
Ride the Chiang Rai Loop
My favorite experience in Thailand is riding the Mae Hong Son loop by motorbike, so I would jump at the chance to do this in Chiang Rai.
On this 470km scenic drive, you will ride along main roads to winding mountain roads and in some places along riverside roads and through small villages. There is nothing like zipping past all these amazing landscapes with the sun on your face and the wind in your hair!
Check out this website, set up by expat bikers based in Chiang Mai, for trip ideas.
Although small, Chiang Rai has a crazy dining scene! Seriously, you will find anything you want here.
As well as the typical street food stalls, you will find a massive range of European cuisine, from pizzas and fish & chips to Mediterranean tapas and Swedish baked goods. It might sound crazy, but it’s all down to the active expat community.
For Asian and budget eateries, head to Banpaprakan Road, West of the Clock Tower. This road is lined with family-run restaurants which are crazy good.
For more culturally diverse dishes, Jet Yod and Phaholyothin Roads are full of all your homemade and comfort treats. Who knew you could get homemade ravioli and shepherd’s pie in Asia?
While in Northern Thailand, a hot piping bowl of Khao Soi is a MUST!
With Asia comes temples — by now you’ve probably realized that they kind of coincide. As a traveler, you must have seen many, but with every temple comes a different history and you remember why you can’t get enough.
In Chiang Rai, the temples are very spread out so there are many that tourists don’t tend to venture to. Spend a day temple hunting and you’ll come across some beauties all to yourself!
Here are our top picks for temples to visit. Rightfully so, the White Temple tops the list as it is one of the most spectacular temples in Thailand.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) – this temple is supposed to have the most beautiful toilet in Thailand. Not even kidding. Go check it out and see why!
Wat Huai Pla Kung – a mammoth triangular temple topped with a giant Buddha!
Wat Phra That Doi Tung – mountain temples have the best views!
Doi In Cee – a hidden gem away from the tourists with 777 steps to the top!
Insider Tips:Â For all the temples in Chiang Rai, you can easily get to them by songthaew or hiring bikes. When visiting temples, we always say to remember to be respectful. Cover your shoulders and knees with a light scarf, and always ask permission if you want to take pictures of people. Oh, and sunblock, a water bottle and a fan are great to have!
Mae Fah Luang Art & Culture Park
If you are into art and culture, Mae Fah Luang houses one of Thailand’s biggest collections of Lanna artifacts. The compound itself also boasts antiques, contemporary art, and stunning murals.
Even without all of these interesting collections that ooze history, the grounds themselves are so charming. Full of Buddhist temples and other structures, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely walk.
Located 4km west of Chiang Rai center, you can get a tuk-tuk or taxi here for about 100 THB.
Climb Phu Chi Fa
Although not entirely in Chiang Rai, if you have a few days to spare, a side trip to Phu Chi Fa Mountain is a must.
Located 2-3 hours away from Chiang Mai, you can stand above a sea of clouds looking out to Laos. While the hike itself is fairly easy, the views are incredible and definitely worth it. For full details on how to get there, check out our article.
Tip: If you’re short on time but still keen to see Chiang Rai’s highlights, consider taking a guided day trip from Chiang Mai. This tour includes a visit to the famous White Temple, a stop at the Golden Triangle as well as a boat ride down the Mekong River.
Another little town with so much to see and do! Chiang Rai may not be as well-known as Chiang Mai, but it is definitely worth the trip.
Now all is left is to go and get active, experience its culture and eat the food!
If you’ve had enough of this place, you can travel from Chiang Rai to Laos by the border town of Huay Xai. From there, you can carry on adventuring in Laos.
Looking for more information on Thailand? Check out our other articles
2 thoughts on “Chiang Rai, Thailand: Best Things to Do and See”
I was in Chiang Rai for a few days this summer and liked the temples in town as well.
Although most people forget about them and only see the ones outside of the city like the white temple.
x
Yeah! A lot of people take quick trips to Chiang Rai just to see the white temple, completely forgetting about the other places. Glad you got to explore more of it! @stephaniestraveldiary:disqus
I was in Chiang Rai for a few days this summer and liked the temples in town as well.
Although most people forget about them and only see the ones outside of the city like the white temple.
x
Yeah! A lot of people take quick trips to Chiang Rai just to see the white temple, completely forgetting about the other places. Glad you got to explore more of it! @stephaniestraveldiary:disqus