Chiang Rai Things to Do

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This temple is located on a small hill to the northwest of the town centre, near the river. It features a golden chedi that was constructed with a mixture of Bhu-kam (ancient Burma) and Lanna style. It is around 14 meters high, the lotus-petal base, the body, the bell, the top part of the Chedi are decorated with a gold foil. According to the Yonok Chronicle, the Chedi was originally built in the year 940 A.D. during the reign of Phraya Ruen Kaew, Prince of Chiang Rai, to house the Lord Buddha's relics, but this the current chedi probably dates from the 14th century.

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This is the most highly revered wat in Chiang Rai. Legend has it that in 1434 the stupa was struck by lightning and fell apart to reveal the Emerald Buddha. From that moment on, the statue travelled, visiting Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Kamphaeng Phet, Chiang Mai, Lampang and Vientiane over a period of more than 300 years. Today it rests in Bangkok in the temple of the same name. An almost but not exact replica was made from Canadian jade in celebration of the Queen Mother's 90th birthday in 1990 and it is now housed on site. With its lush gardens and large stands of bamboo (it was once known as the Bamboo Forest monastery), Wat Phra Kaew has peaceful grounds plus a pond plays host to massive turtles.

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Constructed around 1385 by King Mahaphrom, this wat is regarded as a fine example of Lanna-style architecture. Note the twin sets of peacocks that flank the bot entrance and the white bunnies straight out of Alice in Wonderland at the back of the compound entranceway, along with the tree which has a Buddha for each day of the week standing around it. The wat once contained the Phra Phutthasihing, an important Theravada Buddha image which is now stored at Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai. A copy sits in its place.

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The Hill Tribe Museum is funded by famed Thai philanthropist Meechai's PDA and serves as a handy place to visit for anyone considering trekking from Chiang Rai. The museum includes a brief overview and photographic display covering some of the hill tribes you are more likely to visit. A lengthy opium exhibit featuring opium weights and other tit bits is also worth a browse. Exhibits include typical clothing from six major tribes plus their housing styles, tools, utensils and traditional hunting, fishing and agricultural equipment. A slideshow is available upon request. Your admission includes a complimentary drink at the Cabbages and Condoms restaurant on the ground floor.

Open: 9am-6pm. Admission: 50 baht.

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This is a new clock tower built to commemorate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday and to replace an old and tatty version. It's gold, gaudy, brash and something of an assault on the eyes, but it really comes into its own at night. It doesn't do its tricks every evening and the timings seem a bit sporadic, but if you are passing the Clock Tower one night it may just give you a light show to remember. Every colour and hue is used, from lime green to outrageous pink as the Tower performs its own version of a bad disco. The show lasts for about 20 minutes and seems to start at around 8pm.

A nice place to stop off and stretch your legs on the drive to Chiang Rai. There are places to eat. The artist who is building this complex has a gallery on the premises. Visit wanjim-thailand.blogspot.com.

Wat Rong Khun is very different to any of temple you are likely to see in Thailand. A lifetime project of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the temple has a fine blend of traditional Buddhist art with contemporary themes. The temple is almost entirely white – no other colours are used at all. It is though decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass which add substantially to the temple’s spacious and airy feel. Designed to be viewed in moonlight, if you can manage to get there when the moon is out it’s worth the effort – very nice indeed. This temple is certainly worth a visit unless you have limited time.
Chalermchai Kositpipat seems very popular amongst the Thai. There is a picture exibithion as well. Furthermore there is a golden toilet and a lot of funny signs.

Wat Rong Khun is a buddhist temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. Construction began in 1998 and is expected to end in 2008...but I dont think so. They are still building.
Wat Rong Khun is different from any other temples in Thailand as the "Ubosot" ( consecrated assembly hall ) has White Color and White Glass. The white color stands for the Lord Buddha’s purity; the white glass stands for the Lord Buddha’s wisdom that shines brightly all over the earth and the universe.
**from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Rong_Khun **