Chiang Rai is a slightly smaller and less popular destination in Northen Thailand than traveler-loved Chiang Mai.
The city is ideal for an intensive one day trip from Chiang Mai, or a slightly more relaxed two days. During that time, you will be able to visit both of the most popular temples as soon as they open and avoid the crowds, as well as Night Bazaar, and some cute cafes in the city center.
In this post, you’ll learn about the must visit places in Chiang Rai.
Let’s be honest, Chiang Rai gained its popularity because of the amazing White Temple and this was also our main destination of the trip. Which we must admit did not disappoint, the temple is truly delightful and beautiful.
However, the city itself is not large and is also far less charming than Chiang Mai. So, two full days were enough to visit all the places we had on our list, and not to rush from one place to another.
White Temple is by far the most beautiful temple in Chiang Rai and one of the most interesting in all of Thailand.
But the place is not really a temple, it’s more a Buddhist temple-style art exhibition. It’s the private property of Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed, built and opened the place to visitors in 1997.
A bridge leads to the main building, which is enclosed by a fence of thorns, intertwined with various kinds of monsters.
On either side of the bridge are numerous outstretched hands, which symbolize unbridled desire. And the bridge symbolizes that the way to happiness is to give up temptation, greed and lust.
After crossing the bridge, visitors reach the „gates of heaven“ guarded by two beings who decide the fate of the dead.
The main building is an all-white structure with embedded fragments of mirrored glass, which shimmer incredibly in the sun. The building is full of amazing details, and the entire body of the building embodies design elements of classical Thai architecture.
The interior of the temple is just as interesting as the exterior. The decor turns to a fiery orange. Murals depict fiery flames and faces of demons interspersed with Western idols such as Michael Jackson, Freddy Kruger, Terminator, Hello Kitty, Pikachu, Sailor Moon and Harry Potter.
On the main wall, above the entrance door, is a painting of a dragon.
The white temple is beautiful and it is really worth coming to Chiang Rai, if only to see the temple. However, since it is privately owned, entry is not cheap and you should expect to pay $2.90 (THB 100).
Although the place is not a real temple, it is still necessary to dress appropriately. Women in particular must have their shoulders and knees covered.
The best time to visit these temples is right after they open, as the place is incredibly popular. So to avoid the crowds check the opening time on Google and be there a few moments earlier.
This charming temple is also called the Temple of the Dancing Tiger. Legend has it, that about 100 years ago tigers roamed freely in this area when it was abandoned.
The Blue Temple stands where another temple once stood, but was rebuilt in 2005 – 2016 by Puth Kabkaew, who was a student of the eccentric artist who built the White Temple.
The entire temple, both outside and inside is painted blue, which is an unusual color when it comes to temples, as they are mostly gold and possibly maroon. The color blue, however, is associated with purity, wisdom and the absence of materialism to which Buddhists aspire.
Inside, both the walls and the ceiling are painted, the walls with scenes from the Buddha’s life, while the ceiling with fanciful patterns. In the center of the temple sits a statue of the Buddha made of white porcelain, and the back of the temple is decorated with a statue of the standing Buddha.
Entrance to the area around and into the temple is completely free, but remember to dress appropriately and remove your shoes before entering the temple.
The Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai, may not be as big as the one in Chiang Rai, or one of the night markets in Bangkok, but after visiting the sights, it is the perfect place to eat something.
The selection is large, so everyone will leave with a full belly, especially if you are also tempted by tasty desserts such as Roti or Mango Sticky Rice.
Yummy!
In addition to the food craze, at Night Market you can also buy interesting clothes or souvenirs for loved ones. Many people sell handicrafts, so you have the opportunity to buy something completely unique.
Is there anything cuter than a cafe full of cats?
At Cat ‘n’ A Cup you’ll not only get a good cup of coffee, but you’ll also play with the cute furries. Although cats generally go their separate ways, some of the resident cats at this cafe definitely seek a path into the laps of visitors, ready to be stroked.
The easiest way to get to Chiang Rai is by bus, which will get you to Chiang Rai in a few hours from places like Chiang Mai, for a reasonable price. Check your bus connection to Chiang Rai.
You can also get to Chiang Rai by air, for example from Bangkok. Check your flight connection to Chiang Rai.
As in almost every Asian country, the cheapest and fastest means of transportation is a rented scooter. Remember, however, that in order to drive on the roads of both Thailand and other countries in Asia such as Laos, Vietnam or Malaysia, an international driver’s license is required.
Before renting a vehicle, check Google reviews carefully to avoid any scams.
If you don’t feel up to driving on crowded roads in Thailand on a scooter, choose the convenient and safe option that is Grab.
If you want easy access on your feet to most restaurants and the Night Bazaar, it’s best to book your accommodation in a centrally located area. Check your options in Chiang Rai .
However, prices for such accommodations are a bit higher, so if you want a budget option, a bit further from the center check Baan Pordeedin . The price of this hotel is attractive, the place is clean and breakfast is also included in the price.
The best time to visit Chiang Rai is between October and March, just after the rainy season. Temperatures are cooler then.
Remember that between March and April, nearby countries such as Laos begin the burning season. The air is heavily polluted then and it is difficult to breathe.
Chiang Rai is not one of the largest cities, so if you want to visit only the city and the main attractions you can do it even in one day.
However, if you do not want to rush, prefer to feel the atmosphere of the city and have more time for the main attractions, the optimal time to visit Chiang Rai is two days.
For your Thailand visit you will need a visa on arrival, and it’s free. It allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days. Check the current Thailand visa requirements well in advance.
During our stay in Thailand we used an AIS Sim card . Super fast and reliable internet, good coverage and great service. We can highly recommend it! Just don’t buy the SIM card at the airport, as it is a lot cheaper in the city.
The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.
Accommodation: $18 / night
Restaurant: $5 – $7 / meal
Snack: $0.50 – $1 / meal
Pleasure: $2 – $5 / meal
Taxi: $2 – $3 / ride
Activity: $3 / event
