CHIANG RAI, THAILAND: THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE
Chiang Rai is one of my favorite areas of Thailand. I’m not sure if it’s the ornate temples scattered throughout the city or the rolling tea plantations that surround the region, but there’s an incredible calm I feel every time I visit. The laid back atmosphere is a welcome change from the chaos of Bangkok and Phuket. And while there isn’t a ton to see in Chiang Rai, the few sights it does have are completely epic. And that’s part of the beauty of this place. You can take the time to experience its treasures because you’re not rushing to see a million things in just a few days. Below is my complete guide to Chiang Rai including the best temples, night markets, restaurants, cafes, hotels, day trip ideas, travel tips and more.
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Mother of Dragons at Wat Huay Pla Kang. OUTFIT DETAILS: Free People dress linked here.
CHIANG RAI TIPS
- TEMPLE DRESS CODE – Dress appropriately for the temples in Chiang Rai. Most require both men and women to cover their legs to below the knees, as well as shoulders.
- CURRENCY – The Thai baht is the currency of Thailand. While a lot of places accept credit card, it’s important to have cash for the night market, tuk tuks, food, etc.
- TOUR GROUPS – The main temples in Chiang Rai are hot spots for tour groups. Best to arrive as early as possible to enjoy a bit of serenity, before crowds pour in.
Wat Rong Suea Ten is the famous Blue Temple of Chiang Rai. OUTFIT DETAILS: Free People dress linked here.
HOW MANY DAYS IN CHIANG RAI?
THREE DAYS. Three full days is plenty of time to visit all the beautiful temples in and around Chiang Rai, experience a tea plantation and enjoy the local night market in the evenings. Add a couple extra days if you want to do any trekking is the surrounding region.
The tea plantations are a serene day trip from Chiang Rai. OUTFIT DETAILS: Free People dress linked here.
The Chou Fong Tea Plantation has a cafe where visitors can enjoy the view after exploring the fields.
This place is an easy one hour drive from Chiang Rai. OUTFIT DETAILS: Free People dress linked here.
WHEN TO VISIT CHIANG RAI
Similar to most of Thailand, high season spans November through February when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is minimal. This is my favorite time of the year in Chiang Rai.
- NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY – High season, best weather, most visitors, peak prices
- JUNE TO OCTOBER – Monsoon season, wettest months to visit, less visitors, lower prices
- MARCH TO MAY – Shoulder season, hottest time of the year
Wat Rong Khun is the ornate White Temple of Chiang Rai.
THINGS TO DO IN CHIANG RAI
101 TEA PLANTATION
The sweeping fields of the 101 Tea Plantation are a one-hour drive from Chiang Rai. The plantation is relatively small, but the panorama of rolling green tea hills is a majestic sight to see. Visitors are invited to walk the tea fields, pick tea leaves and sit down for a tea tasting.
BAAN DAM (HOUSE OF BLACK AND WHITE)
The creation of local artist Thawan Duchanee, Baan Dam is a museum that houses contemporary art pieces. Unlike most sights in Chiang Rai, Baan Dam’s collection of structures is very dark – lots of wood, and lots of black.
CHOU FONG TEA PLANTATION
Another tea plantation, this one is larger and located in the Mae Chan District. It’s a one-hour drive to reach Chou Fong, and then there are several viewpoints to stop at as you cruise through the plantation.
WAT HUAY PLA KUNG
Wat Huay Pla Kung is a soaring temple complex that sits on a hilltop, home to the Goddess of Mercy and her majestic white dragons. This is my favorite spot in all of Chiang Rai.
WAT MING MUANG
A 700-year old temple located in Chiang Rai’s city center. It’s colorful and ornate, known by many as the Crouching Elephant Temple.
WAT RONG KUHN (WHITE TEMPLE)
Arrive at opening to avoid crowds of people – this is the most popular tourist attraction in Chiang Rai. Known affectionately as the White Temple, Wat Rong Kuhn is actually a privately owned art exhibit, designed by local artist Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat. The structure is incredibly ornate in its imagery, and everything is designed in white with flecks of silver. This place gets very crowded.
WAT RONG SUEA TEN (BLUE TEMPLE)
Another place to visit early. This is one of the newer temples in Chiang Rai, but arguably one of the prettiest. Wat Rong Suea Ten is designed with a vibrant blue and gold exterior, and the surreal interior blues seem to glow around a massive white Buddha.
WAT SANG KAEW PHOTHIYAN
A one-hour drive from Chiang Rai, Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan is a relatively new temple complex bursting with color and detail. There’s so much going on with the golden dragons, elephant-head nagas and statues of monks and Ganesha, that it’s almost overwhelming.
Lallita Cafe is the new social media hot spot in Chiang Rai. OUTFIT DETAILS: Free People set linked here.
Found the tastiest warm, fresh scones at Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar.
CHIANG RAI RESTAURANTS
BARRAB RESTAURANT
Popular little gem that is small, but serves up some of the best northern Thai cuisine in Chiang Rai.
CAT ‘N’ A CUP CAT CAFE
A cat lover’s paradise located very close to the Night Market. The cafe is clean, spacious and filled with more than a dozen absolutely beautiful cats – all are well fed, well cared for and the breeds are really quite beautiful.
CHIANG RAI NIGHT BAZAAR
It’s not the largest night market in Thailand (in fact, it’s quite small), but it’s still one of my favorites. Dozens of food stalls surround a sea of tables and fairy lights where locals and tourists alike flock for pad thai, fried fish, hot pot, curry, rice dishes, stir fry and more. The food options are endless, and very cheap.
CHIVIT THAMMA DA COFFEE HOUSE
A lovely white colonial house that has been transformed into a charming cafe restaurant. Chivit Thamma offers a full menu, but specialty is desserts and coffee. The fresh scones and passion fruit smoothies are particularly divine.
CREPE CORNER
If you’re craving Western food for breakfast, Crepe Corner serves up a satisfying selection of fresh crepes with all the fixin’s including Nutella, honey, vanilla, mango, egg, chocolate, peanut butter and more.
KUNDA CAFE
A popular vegan spot in Chiang Rai. Kunda Cafe offers a simple menu that includes vegan burgers, salads, chocolate vegan cake, a natural tonic and a smoothie of the day.
LALITTA CAFÉ
Technically, this is a restaurant, but the fairytale gardens make Lalitta Cafe more of an experience. The mystical fog, waterfall and vibrant fauna look straight out of a storybook.
Breakfast feast at Anantara Golden Triangle.
The infinity pool overlooks views of The Golden Triangle.
CHIANG RAI HOTELS
This sprawling mountainside sanctuary sits perched above the Ruak and Mekong Rivers surrounded by lush jungle and bamboo forest. The resort boasts views of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, the three countries that make up the Golden Triangle. 40 rooms and 21 suites are scattered across the expansive property, all with sweeping views of the valley below. Anantara Golden Triangle is also home to a three-story open-air spa where guests can enjoy a variety of treatments in their teakwood suites.
Unlike Chiang Mai, the luxury options in Chiang Rai are far and few between. For just a few days in town, the Le Meridien is clean, modern and the prices are very reasonable. The property location is very central, ideal for Night Market runs in the evening, as well as day trips around the region.
Charming little property located in the heart of Chiang Rai. Mora Boutique Hotel is nothing fancy, but the black and white colonial design is cute, and the space is very clean and well kept.
It’s a one-hour drive to reach Wat Sang Kaew Phothiyan from Chiang Rai, but chances are you’ll have the colorful temple to yourself.
GET TO CHIANG RAI
From Bangkok, Chiang Rai is a quick one-hour flight, and there are several budget air carrier options. If you are traveling to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai, the most affordable option is the direct VIP bus. I’ve used Green Bus Thailand – the company schedules buses almost every hour starting at 8 AM, and the ride is smooth and comfortable. Price is approximately 320 baht, one way.
Wat Huay Pla Kang is much more serene compared to the White Temple, and just as beautiful.
GET AROUND CHIANG RAI
- HIRE A GUIDE – If you plan two to spend three days of temple hopping and sightseeing, the easiest thing to do is hire a guide or driver for the day. The guide I booked is Khun Liu, and she is kind, hospitable and highly knowledgeable about the region and its history. Her WhattsApp contact information is +66 83 296 0268.
- GRAB TAXI – Grab is the Uber of Thailand. Download the app to have handy for any transportation needs, as well as food delivery.
- TUK TUKS – For short distances within the city centre, tuk tuks are a cheap and easy option, but they are not suitable for longer day trips out to the temples and tea fields.
All the Thai classics – pad thai, mango sticky rice and a passion fruit smoothie.
