Chiang Rai (Thailand): what to see for tourists. Black and White Temple in Chiang Rai (Thailand)
Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai, Chang Rai, Changrai, English name Chiang Rai) is a city in, the capital of the province of the same name. Located on the Mae Kok River, 800 km from Bangkok, 150 km from Chiang Mai and 65 km from Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Laos. Total area together with the surrounding area - 60 sq. km. The population, excluding tourists, is 68,000 people.
Chiang Rai is the most northern city Thailand, interesting not only from a tourist point of view, but also for long stay. Of course, even further north are the Golden Triangle, Mai Sai, Chiang Khong and other small settlements. But foreigners visit there for a maximum of 1-2 days, since there are few interesting sights and the infrastructure is very poorly developed.
The city is small, you can easily walk from one end to the other in 1.5-2 hours, if not less. All infrastructure is available: shopping mall with a cinema, night market with a food court, restaurants, bars, banks, travel agencies, etc. Chiang Rai is famous primarily for the unusual White Temple, which is located 10 km south of it. It is a launching pad for trips to the Golden Triangle, which is an hour and a half away.
Chiang Rai on the map of Thailand
Story
The city of Chiang Rai was founded by King Mengrai in 1262. Until 1281, it was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Then, for several years, the city of Lampun became the center, and after that, in 1286, the capital was moved to Chiang Mai. Long time was captured by the Burmese. In 1899, the territory was annexed by the Kingdom of Siam.
Only in 1933 did Chiang Rai fully become part of Thailand, becoming one of its provinces.
Who should go
Why do tourists come to Chiang Rai, and some stay here for weeks and months? There may be several reasons. There are day-trippers who arrived here as part of an organized excursion, for example, from Chiang Mai, Bangkok or Pattaya. They only briefly explore it, visiting a couple of temples. Their main goal is the White Temple, located 12 km to the south and the Golden Triangle - 65 km to the north.
Others come on their own to get to know the history, sights and spirit of the city in more detail. They usually explore all the temples, visit the night market, and ride around the surrounding area.
Still others specifically travel to Chiang Rai to long term, because we are tired of crowded popular resorts Thailand and their hot weather.
Chiang Rai has everything you need to stay for a week, a month, a year or a lifetime. The climate is especially pleasant – not humid and cool at night (+12…+18). The city has a large selection of accommodation, prices start from 80 baht per day for a place in a dormitory and from 250 baht for a private room with shower and toilet. There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes, tour desks, and motorbike rentals at your service. Everything you need can be bought at the night market, the Big C hypermarket and the huge Central Plaza shopping center (with a cinema, Robinson store, Tops supermarket and a bunch of boutiques).
Despite such infrastructure, Chiang Rai can be explored on foot if desired (although it will not take one or two hours). In size it can be compared with Pattaya. But only in size, everything else is very different. The city is very calm, in the evenings the activity is only near the night market and the bus station.
Inside Thailand you can get there by plane or bus; there are no trains to Chiang Rai.
Almost all popular airlines fly: Thai Airways, Nok Air, Air Asia, Bangkok Airways and others. There are direct flights from Bangkok, Krabi, Udon Thani, Phuket and Koh Samui.
Cheap flights to Thailand
You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
You can take buses from almost anywhere in Thailand. The easiest way to buy tickets is at the nearest travel agency or. You can also leave from the nearest bus station.
There is a ferry from Chiang Mai from the pier to Thaton (3-4 hours), for some this will be a good alternative to the serpentine road to Chiang Rai.
Transport
Beaches
Chiang Rai is not a resort for beach holiday. However, 4 km from the city there is a place on the river for recreation local residents, which can roughly be called a beach. In principle, you can go there to sunbathe, get a massage right on the shore, ride a boat on the river and enjoy beautiful views. It's unpretentious to even take a swim. But the water is muddy, the coast is so-so.
There is no smell of tourists here because they know nothing about this place. But Thais come here only in the evenings, after work or on weekends. But don’t think that there are crowds of locals here. Not at all! The author of these lines was on the beach on Sunday at 10 a.m. - there was no one there (see photo). The place is well equipped, there is a toilet, shower, canopies with sun loungers and a fan! In a word, you are guaranteed a comfortable stay. The only negative is that the sand here is not as beautiful as on the sea, sometimes with green grass. In general, in appearance it quite resembles a beach next to a river somewhere in middle lane Russia.
What to do and what to visit
There are quite a few in Chiang Rai, mostly represented by old ones. Unfortunately, they are not as ancient as those in Chiang Mai or Ayutthaya, but still deserve your attention. Ironically, the most popular is the White Temple, which is located outside the city and is a very young complex, built only in 2008. However, the construction has not yet been completed and new fragments and structures are added to it every year.
There are several ancient temples and remains of the stone wall that surrounded the city from the time when Chiang Rai was part of the Lanna Kingdom. Also of interest is the Wat Phra Kaew temple, which is located in the historical part of the city. It was here that the statue was found, which is now located in the temple of the same name in Bangkok. A copy of it is now installed here.
In the province of Chiang Rai (not in the city itself), tribes are of tourist interest long-necked women, to which you can book an excursion at any travel agency.
Well, and of course, beautiful nature- green meadows, majestic mountains, waterfalls, caves, hot springs.
And from here you can go to Burma or Laos; the trip will take 1.5 and 2.5 hours, respectively, by bus. Also a must-see is a visit to where the borders meet. three countries(despite this, you cannot cross the border at this point and get a visa). It takes 1.5 hours to get there to the north.
The atmosphere in Chiang Rai is completely different, unlike any other place in Thailand. This is not a remake like Pattaya, which was a God-forsaken village 60 years ago. Here you will see a city with a rich history that dates back more than 700 years. This place is definitely worthy of your attention!
Climate
It is no secret that in the central and southern parts of Thailand the climate cannot be called comfortable: during the day +30...+35, and at night +26...+28, i.e. There is no escape from the heat and high humidity even after sunset. Chiang Rai in this sense is simply paradise, especially for long-lived people, the temperature is really the same during the day, but after 18 o’clock it begins to drop sharply, reaching +25 in the evening, and +15…+20 in the morning. Plus the humidity is much less. Many people stay here to live precisely for these reasons - on the one hand, there is an excellent climate, and on the other, a fairly calm place, albeit with all the necessary infrastructure. There are never crowds of tourists in Chiang Rai - neither in the low season nor in the high season.
Read in detail about.
Chiang Rai is the capital of the northernmost province of Thailand. The distance from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is about 790 km, from Chiang Mai – 155 km. Chiang Rai, although a city, is not as big as Chiang Mai. Currently, about 136 thousand people live in Chiang Rai.
The city was founded a long time ago, in 1262 by the king of the Lanna kingdom on the Kok River. Then Chiang Rai belonged to Burma and only in 1786 it became a Thai city.
Nowadays many tourists come to Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai attracts them not only for its attractions, but also because very close to it is the so-called Golden Triangle, where the border of three countries passes - Thailand, Burma and Laos.
Around Chiang Rai beautiful mountains and many natural attractions. Very close by is the royal villa and a magnificent flower garden. Not far from Chiang Rai there live several northern tribes, whose villages are very interesting to see. At a distance of about 60 km from Chiang Rai there is a Chinese village with tea plantations. The Opium Museum is located in the Golden Triangle, in the Chiang Saen district.
How to get to Chiang Rai
1. By plane. Chiang Rai has an airport located 8 km from the city. Flights arrive here from.
Several airlines operate flights:
AirAsia and NokAir fly from Bangkok's old airport, Don Mueang. Thai Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
If you are flying from Russia to Thailand, you will arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, so if you want to fly straight to Chiang Rai, it is better to choose Thai Airways flights. Otherwise, you will have to move from one airport to another, which will take quite a lot of time.
The best way to get from Chiang Rai airport to the city is by taxi (200-300 baht).
2. You can get to Chiang Rai by bus from Bangkok. Buses depart from the northern bus station in Bangkok Mochit. Travel time is 8-10 hours, cost 600-1000 baht (20-30 dollars) depending on which class of bus you choose: VIP, 1st class or 2nd class.
3. You can get to Chiang Rai by Green Bus from Chiang Mai. Travel time is about 3 hours. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance, at least a day in advance. There are many people who want to leave.
It should be noted that there are now two bus stations in Chiang Rai: New Bus Station or Terminal 2 and Old Bus Station or Terminal 1. Old Bus Station is located in the city center, next to the night market. Currently it serves only suburban destinations. Buses from Bangkok arrive at the new bus station. There is a minibus running between bus stations. Cost 60 baht (2 dollars).
4. You can get to Chiang Rai by water! By boat from the town, a public boat leaves from Tha Thon at 12:30 and costs 350 baht ($12). Travel time is 3.5 – 4 hours.
There is no train station in Chiang Rai, so you cannot get to Chiang Rai by train.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai accommodation
There are many hotels and guesthouses in the city, but strangely enough, during the high season (November - February) it is quite difficult to find available accommodation!
You can live in the city itself (it is best to find a hotel near the night market) or stay in the vicinity of Chiang Rai, in the mountains and enjoy nature. During peak season, I advise you to book your accommodation in advance. I always book here: booking.com, if I can’t find anything here, then I look here: agoda.com.
We stayed in a small hotel called Baan Bua Guest House for 460 baht ($15). I booked my stay there very much in advance, the hotel was somehow popular, and all the rooms were occupied!
Green lawn in front of the house, quite a lot of space where you can park your car.
Regular room, fan, large bed, hot shower. 
We had breakfast right there, American breakfast for 150 baht per person. Delicious and filling!
What to see in Chiang Rai - attractions of Chiang Rai
In addition to many beautiful places around Chiang Rai, in the city itself you can see several temples
In the city itself there is a beautiful Golden Tower with a clock (Clock Tower), every evening at 19:00 the music and lights turn on. But we didn’t catch this show.
I also recommend visiting Chiang Rai night market(Chiang Rai Night Bazar). Here he is even more colorful than. And prices for souvenirs are lower. Perhaps one of best places in Thailand to purchase souvenirs.
We were also attracted to the Chiang Rai night market by the fact that here you can eat deliciously and not expensively. There is a large food court here. There are tables, and around there are tents with a variety of food. 
There are a lot of people. Mostly locals or Thai tourists. There are very few foreigners. Locals come with their Thai rum, grab food, Coca-Cola and have dinner!
What's missing here! A lot of seafood, delicious fish, shrimp.
Seafood: squid, shrimp 
Delicious fish and something not clear :) 
And at the Chiang Rai night market, such pots are very popular - Hot Pot, in which you can cook soup. The cost of this soup is 70-100 baht (2-3 dollars) depending on the ingredients.
Hot Pot 
Ingredient for soup :) 
I wanted to take it, because I really love Thai soups, but then for some reason I chose fish 😎 
Dinner with beer at the Chiang Rai night market cost us 400 baht ($13).
When talking about Chiang Rai, it is impossible not to mention massage parlors. In general, when we were traveling to the North of Thailand, I imagined that every evening, before dinner, I would enjoy a Thai massage, which everyone praised so much in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. But that was not the case - we had such a busy program that there was simply no time left for a massage.
There are many massage parlors in Chiang Rai, so we had time before dinner and went for a long-awaited massage.
They took us to a room on the second floor and gave us these pajamas 😎 
Ready for a massage! 🙂 we thought it must be a super massage. But, unfortunately, the massage in Chiang Rai did not impress us. Although it was not expensive at all - 150 baht (5 dollars), and I got massages for 250-300 baht. Still, it all depends on the massage therapist, how lucky you are. And I’ll definitely tell you about the best massage in the North of Thailand.
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Chiang Rai is the main base for exploring Thailand's Golden Triangle. The city itself is incredibly charming - small, cozy, atmospheric, with magnificent ancient and original new temples and museums, plenty of good cheap housing, excellent restaurants and a colorful night market.
Spend at least 2 hours to explore Chiang Rai full days plus a day at the Golden Triangle.
why go
Don't miss it in Chiang Rai
- Explore the city on foot, exploring the temples and museums of Chiang Rai.
- Rent a motorbike and explore Chiang Rai's new temples, including the iconic White Temple.
- Join a bike tour to ride through the countryside in search of small temples, villages and waterfalls.
- Take at least a day to explore Thailand's Golden Triangle.
- Try Thai food at Chiang Rai's night market and learn to cook Thai at local cooking classes.
Temples and museums of Chiang Rai
Among the city temples, two stand out: the ancient Buddhist temple Wat Phra Kaeo, which in difficult times for Siam was the home of the Emerald Buddha - the most sacred shrine of Thailand, later transported to Bangkok and Wat Phra Sing - an ancient temple in which the statue of the main Buddha statue - Phra Buddha Sihing, which is now located in Chiang Mai. Both temples in Chiang Rai have copies.
Wat Phra Kaeo, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Poxxel, Flickr
Monks at Wat Phra Kaeo. Photo credit: Doris Bowling, Flickr
Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Stefan Fussan, Flickr
"White Temple" - Wat Rong Khun. Photo credit: Silp Satjawattanavimol, Flickr
To the northwest of Chiang Rai, 12-15 km from the city, not far from each other, there are two more interesting newly built temples - the colorful Wat Huay Sai Khao with original architecture and the “little brother” of the white Wat Huay Plakang 9 Tier Temple with a huge statue Buddha. You can only get to them by your own transport or tuk-tuk.
Wat Huay Sai Khao. Photo credit: gt-rider
“Little brother” of the white temple Wat Huay Plakang 9 Tier Temple. Photo credit: Apisak Kanjanapusit, Flickr
Chiang Rai Museums
The Baan dam museum is called either the Black Temple or the Black Houses. A large park area on which small rooms in the form of temples and chedis are built, inside there are art galleries with paintings, sculptures and various products made from bones and horns of animals. The purpose of this largely kitschy art exhibition is to illustrate the dark side of human nature, using traditional Asian elements crops
Baan dam Museum, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Steven Murray, Flickr
Art gallery inside the Baan dam museum. Photo credit: Duncan Taralrud-Bay, Flickr
Among the more positive and noteworthy art projects in Chiang Rai are the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, located 5 km from the city, and the Oub Kham City Museum, which contains ancient samples and products of different Asian cultures - from the Lanna kingdom to ancient Vietnamese and Chinese civilizations.
Mae Fah Luang Park. Photo credit: Duncan ursula_bkk, Flickr
Oub Kham Museum. Photo credit: thailandneo
Bike tours
The surroundings of Chiang Rai, unlike most of Northern Thailand, are flat with small hills, and cycling here is a pleasure. Cycling tours start away from city traffic, along charming rural roads past rice fields, gardens and small towns. Popular routes are half a day to the White Temple, a full day to the White Temple and further to the waterfalls, a full day to the Golden Triangle. See more details.
Bike tours in Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Zach W, tripadvisor
Golden Triangle
The classic circuit from Chiang Rai starts in the direction of Mae Sai, a town on the border with Burma with a large market on the border and a bridge crossing into Burma. Next - Sop Ruak, extreme point Thailand at the intersection of the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos, here with observation deck you can see both neighboring countries, and also rent a boat and go to Laos. The last point on the route is ancient city Chiang Saen.
The worst option for visiting the Golden Triangle is large groups and/or bus tours, try to avoid such experiences). If you are taking a tour from Chiang Rai, try to take either a private tour or a small group tour.
In Chiang Rai you can either use a motorbike for independent trip along the Golden Triangle. You can rent a car with a driver through any guest house or tour office in Chiang Rai (about $50-60 per car).
If you are not comfortable with a motorbike, but want to travel around the Golden Triangle on a budget, then the best option is public transport. In this case, map out the route Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen - Sop Ruak (Golden triangle) - Mae Sai - Chiang Rai, which, in principle, can be covered in a day.
The route Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen - Sop Ruak (Golden triangle) runs minibus every 15-20 minutes (green minivans from Chiang Rai bus terminal). Songthaews (route pick-ups) run between the Golden Triangle (Sop Ruak) and Mae Sai. You can return to Chiang Rai from Mae Sai by bus (about 1.5 hours).
Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Suwannee Thai Cooking Class
Chiang Rai, Thailand- from a remote hill tribe town nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the mighty Mekong. Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 as part of the Lao-Thai Lanna Kingdom. It became a Siamese territory in 1786 and eventually one of the 77 provinces of modern Thailand in 1910.
The city of Chiang Rai brings back memories and exotic images. mountain range Chiang Rai is bordered on the west by Burma and Chiang Mai, and in the southeast is the famous Phu Chi Fa mountain and nature reserve. But otherwise the landscape in Chiang Rai Thailand is mostly flat and the land is agricultural.
The city of Chiang Rai in Thailand is bounded on the north by the Kok River and bordered on the east by Highway No. 1. Old town Chiang Rai was built on the site of the ancient settlement of Lawa or Mon in the early 14th century. Today, little remains of the old city, but there are walls and a moat.
So, what is Chiang Rai, where is it located and what is there to do there? Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand. Tourists rarely get here and even less often on their own, because the main attraction here is the famous white lacy temple of heaven and hell ( white temple in Chiang Rai). And for the more curious, there is also the Black Temple and the village of the long-necked Karen tribes. Large quantity The population of the mountain tribes converted to Christianity, so in the city of Chiang Rai in Thailand you can see, in addition to Buddhist temples, also Christian churches, as well as Islamic mosques and Chinese temples.
High western mountains, inhabited by numerous hill tribes, were until recently quite wild places. Today, these destinations are becoming more famous for travel, mainly due to the coffee and tea plantations, as well as the town of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, known as the site of the illegal trade of dubious Chinese goods, duty-free cigarettes and counterfeit Viagra. Many illegal drugs still pass through the Burmese border. So rural areas of Chiang Rai see more police on the roads than any other Northern province.
The city of Chiang Rai has a local population of approximately 200,000. It is a small and calm town, although there are also places for tourists: several restaurants serving international cuisine, a brand new shopping center with all the famous foreign brands, supermarkets and a cinema.
Chiang Rai (Thailand), basically an inconspicuous provincial town. Entertainment in Chiang Rai - pthe coastal area where the river descends into the town of Tha Ton in Northern Thailand. Another attraction is the night market. There are also plenty of decent and nice places to stop and eat in Chiang Rai. Also Chiang Rai Thailand is transport hub region, thanks to its central location and airport.
Many ATMs can be found on Phaholyothinу street. The largest shopping center is Central Plaza Chiang Rai.Chiang Rai has several extraordinary places that are worth visiting. These are the Black Temple of Chiang Rai (Baan Dam), the famous White Temple of Wat Rong Khun in Thailand and Wat Huai Sai Khao. The White Temple in Chiang Rai is perhaps just his calling card. This place is definitely not to be missed in the city.
White Temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun)
The White Temple of Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun is without a doubt the most famous and most photographed temple in Chiang Rai province. It is also one of the most beautiful (and unconventional) temples in Thailand. The color of the white temple signifies purity. The temple was built according to the design of a local artist in 1997, who took 15 years to turn his idea into reality.
Inside the white temple in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun, you can find not only statues of Buddha, but also images of Superman, Batman and Neo from The Matrix. In general, the author’s very unconventional approach to creating the temple is obvious, who, by the way, believes that this project will give him immortality.
White Temple in Chiang Rai Wat Rong Khun is located 12 km south of Chiang Rai, near Pahonyothin Road. It is open daily from 6:30 am to 6 pm. Entrance to the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khunw, is free.
Doi Mae Salong Village and Mountain, Chiang Rai
There are several interesting villages in the mountainous northern part of Chiang Rai city. One of the most picturesque of them is Mae Salong, located 74 km northwest of the city of Chiang Rai. There is a special atmosphere there, and everything around is reminiscent of China, and by the way, most of the residents have Chinese roots and even speak Chinese to each other.
The view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. Very atmospheric, quiet and peaceful place. There are few tourists, life seems to have stopped. There are also numerous scenic routes along tea and coffee plantations. You can just walk around these places and enjoy yourself away from the hustle and bustle. If you rent a motorbike, the trip will also be very exciting.
Black Temple of Chiang Rai Baan Dam
If there is a white temple in the city of Chiang Rai, Thailand, then there must be some kind of opposite. And there it is, too—the black temple in Chiang Rai—another highly ambitious project by another local artist. The temple illustrates the darkness in humanity. The entire temple is done in red and black colors and is decorated with skulls, skins and various other animal parts and creepy artwork.
The Black Temple of Chiang Rai (Baan Dam) is located approximately 10 km north of Chiang Rai off the Phahonyothin Highway leading to the Thai-Burmese border at Mae Sai. The temple is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. There is tourist center, a gift shop, and also a small cafe.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Phra Kaew
Of course, this is not the most popular temple among tourists in Chiang Rai. Everyone has heard about the white temple in the city of Chiang Rai (Thailand), but few have heard about Wat Phra Kaew. However, the temple emerald buddha Wat Phra Kaew is one of the most significant cultural and religious sites in Chiang Rai province. This temple gained fame when it was struck by lightning in 1434. An emerald Buddha statue was found in the rubble. Since then the temple has been called that way. The statue itself was long ago taken to Bangkok, and a malachite copy of that same emerald Buddha remained in Chiang Rai.
It is still not known exactly where the Buddha statue came from in the temple. There is a version that it was created in India about 2000 years ago and brought to Sri Lanka, then to Cambodia and at the end of the 14th century it ended up in northern Thailand.
Chiang Rai Clock Tower
The clock tower traditionally marks the center of the province. In Chiang Rai, this clock tower is one of the best and most beautiful in all of Thailand.
Singha Park, Chiang Rai
The park is little known among tourists (yet). The main reason why most people would like to come here is the massive golden lion statue of Singh. A very picturesque place.
Why go to Chiang Rai in Thailand?
The path to the golden triangle on the border with Chiang Rai also runs through Chiang Rai. It is the junction of three rivers and historically (formerly) a drug-offshore zone. Selling drugs was prohibited and severely punished, so they came up with a way to circumvent the law, to exchange goods in the middle of the confluence of three rivers, during a decline in the water level, where a small island was formed for several people.
In fact, there is nothing beautiful or important in this triangle, a common lure for gullible tourists. Most often, it is under this program that tourists who travel to the north of Thailand buy themselves a one-day excursion from.
On your own in Chiang Rai Thailand those who want to carry out a visa run (extending their stay in Thailand by crossing the border and returning to the country one day for a new stamp) or desperate backpackers who want to visit Laos and are heading, as a rule, to.
Town Chiang Rai (Thailand) small, no different from others of its kind, quiet, but the influence of Laos, and therefore of France and America, is clearly felt here, and prices are 20-30% higher than Thai ones. There is little left of Thailand here, it feels like a completely different country and people, although it would seem like a hundred kilometers away…. In general, there is hardly any need to go here specifically, only if you intend to cross the border on your own and head to the wonderful, mysterious Laos.
That's all for now. Today I told about the city Chiang Rai in Thailand. This city is interesting in its own way; you can find a special charm and local flavor in it. And for tourists, this place is famous for the fact that the famous white temple in Chiang Rai, famous among independent travelers, is located here. The White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand can be seen in pictures of Thailand and also in the list of the most interesting places in Thailand.
Sights are the main thing worth going to for tourism purposes, since there is no sea here, only a river with a small beach. All interesting places theoretically you can watch it in 1 day, but to do this you will have to get up early in the morning and return home in the evening. In our opinion, there is no need to rush and not limit yourself to a one-day excursion, because there are also several museums that are of undoubted interest to curious tourists.
If you live in the city center and not in the surrounding area, then almost all of Chiang Rai's attractions will be within walking distance. The only exceptions are the White Temple and the beach. But it is worth keeping in mind that walking around the city for many hours in the midday heat is not a pleasant pleasure, so it is better to explore all the interesting places with the help of a rented motorbike (200-250 baht). You can also rent a tuk-tuk for these purposes. Their main parking lot is located next to the old bus station, where all buses from different cities of Thailand, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai, arrive.
The attractions located in the city are only a small part of what can be seen in these parts. Many come here to then go to the Golden Triangle, ethnic tribal villages, hot springs and waterfalls. To see all this, it is better to book a tour with one of the local travel agencies. This way, you will be spared the need to rent, study and search for information about each place.
For your convenience, at the bottom of the page there is a Google map, where we have marked all the most important things. So, what is worth seeing in Chiang Rai?
Temples Chiang Rai
Golden Triangle
Old city walls
In the past, the city was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom for several decades, which later became part of Thailand. From that time the old stone walls remained. Unfortunately, this attraction is poorly preserved (unlike the walls of Chiang Mai). There are two places in the city where you can see the tall old walls - on the main road leading to the airport (near the King Mengrai Monument) and next to the Tung Garden Museum. In other places there are only low remains of walls.
This good place relaxation right in the city center. Its area is small, but there is quite a lot of greenery and plants. Two pretty sculptures of girls in skirts made of flowers attract attention.
Many come here to look at the museum with national costumes. Externally, it is a two-story wooden building, made in an old style. Inside there are figures of people in different clothes. Free admission.
Hilltribe Museum
The museum tells about the ethnic minorities of the Kingdom of Thailand who live in the mountains. You can see household items, clothing, traditional homes and much more. The room is small, located on the second floor of the Population and Community Development Association (an organization dedicated to the promotion of the country's ethnic groups). Opening hours: weekdays from 9 to 18, weekends from 10 to 18. Entrance 50 baht. Located in the city center (closer to the north), near the Tung Garden.
Oub Kham Museum
It will be of interest to anyone interested in the history of the Lanna Kingdom, the capital of which was this city for many years (later it became Chiang Mai). The most interesting exhibits are the golden ball and the golden gilded throne from Chiang Tung. You can also see jewelry, clothing, sculptures, royal regalia from the 15th century and much more. There are interesting things from Myanmar, Vietnam and China.
The museum is located in the north-west of the city. Is private. Entrance 300 baht. It is located on the right side of the road (if you are driving from the city center) and is difficult to see from the street. So watch carefully so you don't miss out.
King Mengrai Monument
This monument is the most important attraction in Chiang Rai for local residents. After all, it was Mengrai who founded this city in 1262. Therefore, it is not surprising that Thais come to worship him every day, offering incense, flowers and garlands of flowers. Behind the monument is a huge golden trident.
Located in the north of the city, on the left side of the road leading to the airport (at the crossroads).
clock tower
The tower was erected in 2008 by the same architect who worked on the White Temple. Built as a sign of respect to King Rama IX. After sunset it is illuminated from all sides. Located almost in the city center, a 10-12 minute walk from the bus station and night market.
The site is a center for preserving the culture of the Lanna Kingdom. Consists of 5 parts:
- Botanical garden and park.
- Golden Pavilion.
- Little Golden Pavilion.
- Art gallery.
- Place for rituals.
The entrance ticket costs 200 baht. Opening hours: 8:30-16:30. Every day except Monday.
Beach on the Mae Kok River
The beach is located about 5 km northwest of the city on the banks of the Mae Kok River. An ideal place to relax. There is even some infrastructure: massage beds with fans, cafes, toilets. The sandy area is small, about 500 meters, but there are many other places where you can enter the water.
It is also worth walking or driving a couple of kilometers to the west along the coast - from there you will have very picturesque views of the river and hills (see photo).
