Chiang Rai Travel Guide

  Wat Jet Yot
by Willettsworld
 
  • Wat Jet Yot
      Wat Jet Yot
    by Willettsworld
  •   Chiang Rai
    by toumpiotis
  • The White Temple
      The White Temple
    by yipsufen
  •   Chiang Rai
    by TheIsland
  • Clock Tower Chiang Rai
      Clock Tower Chiang Rai
    by lotharscheer
 

Pro

mim95 profile photo

  Beautiful mountains and fascinating ethnic minority and Chinese cultures 


Con

GeoExped profile photo

  The roads can be a bit of a nightmare, but its the same all over Asia. 


In a nutshell

yipsufen profile photo

  Small charming city that provides perfect base for exploring scenic & cultural attractions 

 

Explore Chiang Rai

Things to Do  

Mekong River

Mekong River, Chiang Rai

 solopes Says:  The most significant moment in Chiang Rai was a boat ride along the Mekong river. Passing between Laos and Burma, closed countries at that time, provided a feeling of excitement, enhanced by some Laotian kids swimming in the muddy and dangerous waters to approach the boat,... 

outdoor rock climbing and zip lines near town

outdoor rock climbing and zip lines near town, Chiang Rai

 bombax Says:  Just 3 Km nw of downtown Chiang Rai (northernmost Thailand), there's a wonderfull adventure park called Boomerang. Beautiful limestone cliffs bordering the property have been fixed with 'top-rope' anchors for climbing. Top quality equipment is available on-site for a modest... 

Thermal Water

Thermal Water, Chiang Rai

 solopes Says:  Chiang Rai has many thermal springs, where water comes at high temperatures. In the way from Chiang Mai, it's possible to stop and see water and vapor springing from the soil, or the people boiling eggs in dug trenches. 

WAT RONG KHUN (White Temple)

WAT RONG KHUN  (White Temple), Chiang Rai

 balhannah Says:  This Temple takes your breath away when you first see it, it is BEAUTIFUL!It's a modern Temple that was designed and built by artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat started quite rescently in 1998, so it is not old. THE ARTIST SAID..... "It is my strong intention to build a temple... 

The Black House

The Black House, Chiang Rai

 theo1006 Says:  The Black House, alias Baan Si Dum, alias the Baandum Museum is not on the itinery of most tours. We just happened to read a Time article in the White Temple souvenir shop that referred also to the Black House, and asked our driver to take us there.If you see the one, you... 

Oub Kham Museum

Oub Kham Museum, Chiang Rai

 theo1006 Says:  Another private museum. But unlike mr Paithun who established his boat museum in Ayuthaya through a lifetime of hard work, the founder of the Oub Kham Museum - Khun Julasak  Suriyachai - seems to have the money and leasure to travel and collect pieces for his museum from all... 

A most unusual place of worship.

A most unusual place of worship., Chiang Rai

 planxty Says:  In my travels I have been in literally thousands of churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, synagogues etc. but Wat Rong Khun is really the most unusual of them all. It has little history, having only been started in 1999 and is the brainchild of a famous Thai artist called... 

A magnificent waterfall.

A magnificent waterfall., Chiang Rai

 planxty Says:  A magnificent waterfall.OK, I have to start this tip off with an apology. Due to reasons far too boring to go into here, I was without my camera for a couple of days, so the photo attached is merely of the sign leading to the Khun Kon waterfall. Frankly, when I recovered my... 

Hotels  

Dusit Island Resort

 4 Reviews and 68 Opinions  We stayed at the Dusit in April 2007. The hotel facilities were 5 star but the best thing about the... 

Anantara Resort & Spa Golden Triangle

 2 Reviews and 237 Opinions  Very nice hotel, located so, that you have a wonderful view on the Mekong River and the Golden... 

Restaurants  

Cabbages and Condoms: Food and Safe Sex

Cabbages and Condoms: Food and Safe Sex, Chiang Rai

 Phalaenopsis03 Says:  I missed my chance to eat at C&C in Bangkok, but redeemed myself in Chiang Rai - and I'm glad I did. The food was yummy and the atmosphere was most amusing. I mean, how could it not with a slogan, "Our food is guaranteed not to make you pregnant." Our table ordered two types... 

B.K.K. Chiang Rai Steak: Carnivore's paradise

B.K.K. Chiang Rai Steak: Carnivore's paradise, Chiang Rai

 Willettsworld Says:  This place was just up the road from where I was staying at the Janson House (see my accommodation tip). Like the sign says, it's a steak place and if you're a bit of a carnivore then you're in for a treat. The menu is packed with meat such as sausages, burgers, chicken,... 

Transportation  

Travelling to Chiang Rai

Travelling to Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai

 WaRPer Says:  You can travel by both on road and fly-in. From Bangkok, catch a bus at Mo Chit Bus Station, near Jatujak weekend market. I recommend the VIP (24-seat) buses, very comfy and reliable. There are several operators, but the most famous one is Siam First Tour. The bus leaves at... 

Government VIP bus

Government VIP bus, Chiang Rai

 mim95 Says:  The government's VIP bus is a great way to travel between Chiang Rai and Bangkok. It cost about 900B, and it's better to reserve the ticket at least the day before, so you can get a better seat. The seats are recliners that can allow you to almost lie down. And there is... 

Bus transport.

Bus transport., Chiang Rai

 planxty Says:  I am quite convinced, and I have mentioned it in other tips, that the siting of new bus stations in Thailand is conducted by the so-called tuk-tuk mafia. I can think of no other reason why they are situated in such inaccesible spots far out of town other than to provide a... 

Shopping  

Night Market: The best I found in Thailand

Night Market: The best I found in Thailand, Chiang Rai

 Willettsworld Says:  The night market in Chiang Rai was the best I came across in Thailand and is located between the bus station and Phaholyothin Road in the centre of town. The market consists of many small stands lining the narrow street running between Phaholyothin Road and the bus station... 

Local Customs  

Rice is life

Rice is life, Chiang Rai

 solopes Says:  One of the best points in the trip inland to visit Chiang Rai is the opportunity to watch true rural life. People and animals struggle in hard conditions to produce rice, the main support to life. And the passing by tourists feel part of another world... 

Do's & Don'ts when visiting hilltribe villages

Do's & Don'ts when visiting hilltribe villages, Chiang Rai

 north_thailander Says:  With such demand to see the hill tribes, visits to hill tribe villages and hill tribe treks have become a money making business giving rise to many ethical questions over how this is being carried out. There are concerns about the impact of tourism to villages, erosion of... 

Tourist Traps  

Port Wine

Port Wine, Chiang Rai

 solopes Says:  Now:You are Portuguese.You arrive to "the end of the world", in the Golden Triangle, sit at the restaurant for a drink, browse the list and find - Port Wine.I don't use to drink Port wine quite often, but, in that place, it was mandatory. I ordered it."Sorry sir, it's... 

Long Neck Villages - The benefits of visiting

Long Neck Villages - The benefits of visiting, Chiang Rai

 north_thailander Says:  Despite all the ethical questions that surround Long Neck tourism and the reasons people choose not to visit one. Bear in mind the advantages too, which include:- Visiting the villages gives them a livelihood which may be better than the alternative of going back to their... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Eastern Shan State, Burma - DIY Tour

Eastern Shan State, Burma - DIY Tour, Chiang Rai

 monkeyisland Says:  If you want a real adventure, I can recommend travelling across the border at Maesai into Tachleik on the Burma side. Take a taxi or bus to Kengtong (162kms) and Monglar (260kms) on the Chinese border. I have done this trip about 15 times now but, I do live in Maesai (see... 

Rice planting

Rice planting, Chiang Rai

 solopes Says:  Along the planes bordering Mekong river, men and buffaloes join efforts in rice production. It's a hard work, in dangerous waters and climate, but it provides some spectacular sights and photos, of the real life of rural people. 

 
Explore Deeper into Chiang Rai

The Place

Plan a Chiang Rai vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Chiang Rai locals

Experience Chiang Rai
  •   277 Tips and Reviews
  •  655 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Chiang Rai
 

The People

13 Members Live Here
 
Advice from the Locals
 profile photo

 Come on in - Not the most attractive photo of my home time but there we go. Chiang Rai is, quite simply, a very nice place to live. It seem to manage blending the laid-back attitude of Thai culture with the quick... 

13 members live in Chiang Rai

 

Questions and Answers

travelingcebuano profile photo

Q:  Hi all, I recently checked the Green Bus website. Unfortunately, it wasn't in English. Does anyone know (roughly) the schedule... 

IndianPacific profile photo

A: It is fiffteen years since I took those buses, but still my answer is hopefully more useful than "bagusboy"'s. I don't recall them to go quite as often as every 30... 

Read 2 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Chiang Rai Writers

1

Mountains, hilltribes and trekking in Chiang Rai

mim95 profile photo

 I spent about a month in Chiang Rai province, the main purpose was to work on my fieldwork research on community tourism in an upland ethnic minority (aka: hilltribe) village in the province. Chiang... 

2

Chiang Rai

easterntrekker profile photo

 We stayed here for 4 nights and it was a perfect spot to base ourselves to explore the North . Just when you think Thailand can't get any better.....you discover the North!! 

3

in and around chiang rai

call_me_rhia profile photo

  it looks like... Ganesh! the mistery thickens, since it was in a buddhist temple in Chiang Rai 

4

City of Artists and Lanna Architects

Pat_Bangkok profile photo

 Chiang Rai province is located about 785 km north of Bangkok and it is the northernmost part of Thailand. It borders Myanmar and Laos People Democratic Republic (PDR). This area is known as the... 

5

Chiang Rai & The far north of Thailand

Willettsworld profile photo

 Chiang Rai is one of the best spots to do trekking in Thailand, what with its alluring mountains and numerous hill-tribes. Chiang Rai retains some of the small-town charm now relatively lacking in... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Chiang Rai page