Written by Graham Smith, Hannah McKinsey, Lorraine Aust, Somchai Boonmee
12/08/2025
Fernando B M, Pexels
Chiang Rai, located in Northern Thailand, offers a more tranquil and authentic experience compared to its busier counterparts. Visitors are drawn to its unique and artistic temples, such as the White Temple, Blue Temple, and Black House, set against a backdrop of lush mountains, waterfalls, and expansive tea plantations. It also serves as a gateway to the historic Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge.
For those seeking to connect with others, the city center hosts the lively Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and the popular Saturday Night Market, offering a vibrant atmosphere with food stalls, crafts, and occasional live music. Additionally, several hostels in Chiang Rai are known for fostering a strong sense of community, providing opportunities for travelers to socialize through organized activities and a welcoming environment.
Top 8 Things to do in Chiang Rai
Activities in Chiang Rai range from visiting its iconic artistic temples to exploring lush tea plantations, engaging with local culture at vibrant night markets, and venturing into natural attractions like waterfalls and the historic Golden Triangle.
1. White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
The White Temple is a contemporary art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple, renowned for its intricate white sculptures and mirrored glass, symbolizing Buddhist teachings. Its unique, ethereal appearance makes it a captivating site for photography and contemplation. While the exterior is stunning, visitors can also explore the richly detailed interior. It is still under construction, with completion expected by 2070. Visitors should dress modestly, covering knees and shoulders.
Cost: Entrance fee is 100 THB for foreign visitors.
Transport: Located about 13 km south of Chiang Rai city center. Local orange buses depart from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 (Old Bus Station) every 20-30 minutes, costing 20-30 THB for a one-way trip. The journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, a Grab or Bolt taxi costs around 100-150 THB one way. A tuk-tuk can also be negotiated.
2. Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
The Blue Temple, distinguished by its striking sapphire-blue color and intricate golden embellishments, offers a modern yet traditional Buddhist aesthetic. Inside, a large white Buddha statue stands amidst contemporary Buddhist art. It is a visually arresting temple that provides a contrasting experience to the White Temple, often seen as a symbol of purification and wisdom.
Cost: Free admission. Modest dress (covered knees and shoulders) is required.
Transport: Situated approximately 3 km north of Chiang Rai city center. A Grab or tuk-tuk typically costs 80-120 THB each way. Songthaews are also available; agree on the price with the driver beforehand.
3. Black House (Baan Dam Museum)
The Black House, or Baan Dam, is not a temple but a complex of nearly 40 black wooden structures housing the unique art collection of the late Thai artist Thawan Duchanee. It explores themes of darkness, death, and the impermanence of life, featuring animal remains, traditional Lanna-style architecture, and modern art pieces. The dark aesthetic provides a stark contrast to Chiang Rai's vibrant temples, offering a thought-provoking cultural experience.
Cost: Entrance fee is 80 THB per person.
Transport: Located north of the city, it can be visited on the same day as the White Temple. A round trip from Chiang Rai city by taxi or tuk-tuk, including waiting time, can cost 400-500 THB. Local blue pick-up trucks from the Municipality Market may go there for approximately 30 THB, but routes can vary.
4. Choui Fong Tea Plantation
Choui Fong Tea Plantation is one of the largest tea producers in Chiang Rai, featuring expansive, lush green tea fields set against rolling hills. Visitors can walk through the scenic fields, learn about tea cultivation, and enjoy a cafe with panoramic views, offering various tea-infused drinks and desserts. It is a tranquil escape providing opportunities for beautiful landscape photography.
Cost: No entrance fee for the plantation. A guided tour, including a tea tasting, costs 100 THB per person. Cafe prices vary for food and drinks.
Transport: Approximately 40-45 minutes drive (around 40 km) from Chiang Rai city center. Renting a car or motorbike provides flexibility. A taxi or private driver will cost around 470-600 THB one way. Local buses operate to Mae Chan (30 THB, 1 hour), from where a taxi would be needed.
5. Singha Park
Singha Park, formerly Boon Rawd Farm, is a large agro-tourism destination with vast tea plantations, flower gardens, and various outdoor activities. Visitors can cycle through its extensive biking trails, take a tram tour, or enjoy adventure activities like ziplining. The park offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is a great spot for relaxation and active recreation.
Cost: Admission to the park is free. A tram tour costs 50 THB per person. Bike rentals are 150 THB per hour for a mountain bike. Ziplining costs 300 THB per round.
Transport: Located about 10 minutes drive from the White Temple, or 20 minutes from Chiang Rai city center. There is no direct public transport. Options include driving a rented car/motorbike, or taking a taxi/Grab.
6. Chiang Rai Night Bazaar & Saturday Night Walking Street
The Night Bazaar is a vibrant hub of activity offering a range of local handicrafts, clothing, and diverse street food. It features a central food court with live music and traditional Lanna folk dance performances. The Saturday Night Walking Street is a larger, weekend-only market on Thanalai Road, providing an even wider selection of food, crafts, and street performances. Both markets are excellent places to experience local culture, taste authentic Northern Thai cuisine, and find unique souvenirs.
Cost: Free entry to both markets. Street food meals generally start around 70 THB. Foot massages are available from 120 THB for 30 minutes.
Transport: The Night Bazaar is located conveniently in the city center, a 2-minute walk from Bus Terminal 1. The Saturday Night Walking Street is also in the city center, running along Thanalai Road. Both are easily walkable from central accommodations.
7. Wat Huay Pla Kang (Goddess of Mercy)
Wat Huay Pla Kang is a modern temple complex featuring a unique blend of Thai and Chinese architecture. Its most prominent feature is a towering, white 79-meter statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, which can be seen from afar. Visitors can take an elevator to the 25th floor inside the statue to enjoy panoramic views of Chiang Rai. The complex also includes a nine-story Chinese-style pagoda and a traditional Lanna-style temple.
Cost: Free admission to the temple grounds. An elevator ride to the top of the Guan Yin statue costs 40 THB.
Transport: Located about 7-8 km from Chiang Rai city center. A Grab taxi or motorbike taxi will cost around 100-150 THB. Renting a motorbike is also an option.
8. Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle marks the convergence point of the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. Historically known for opium trade, it now serves as a significant tourist attraction. Visitors can take a boat trip on the Mekong River, view the large golden Buddha statue, and explore museums like the Hall of Opium to learn about the region's past.
Cost: Boat trips on the Mekong River start from around 500-600 THB per person. Entry to the Hall of Opium is typically 200 THB. Many visitors opt for guided tours from Chiang Rai, which bundle transport and entry fees (costing from US$47 for a day trip also visiting Choui Fong Tea Plantation).
Transport: Located approximately 60-70 km northeast of Chiang Rai city, requiring about an hour's drive. It is usually visited as part of a half-day or full-day tour from Chiang Rai via private car, taxi, or organized tour.
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