Chiang Saen old city
Chiang Saen, on the Mekong
Brick walls, moats and temple ruins from an ancient Lanna city, including Wat Pa Sak and Wat Chedi Luang Chiang Saen.Read more
How to get there: Combine with a Golden Triangle visit.
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Chiang Rai
Thailand's northernmost province, famous for its striking modern temples — the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Black House — plus tea hills, mountain villages and the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
Favourite places
Museum, Art
Baan Dam Museum — Black House
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A dark, unusual museum park of some 40 black buildings by artist Thawan Duchanee, filled with horns, bones, skins and carvings.
Explore Baan Dam Museum — Black House
Landmark
Chiang Rai Clock Tower
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The golden clock tower in the middle of town, designed by the White Temple artist, with a short light-and-music show every evening.
Explore Chiang Rai Clock Tower
Village, Tea, Day trip
Doi Mae Salong
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A mountain village of tea plantations settled by Chinese soldiers who stayed after 1949, with tea tastings, Yunnan food and misty views.
Explore Doi Mae Salong
Palace, Garden, Day trip
Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang Garden
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The Princess Mother's mountain home and its colourful terraced garden, part of the project that replaced opium with coffee, crafts and forest.
Explore Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang Garden
Viewpoint, Day trip
Golden Triangle — Sop Ruak
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The viewpoint where the Ruak River meets the Mekong and Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, with the Hall of Opium museum nearby.
Explore Golden Triangle — Sop Ruak
Park, Nature
Singha Park
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A large farm park of tea plantations, lakes, flower fields and a golden lion statue, with bike rentals and a tram tour.
Explore Singha Park
Temple, Viewpoint
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A huge white statue of Guan Yin and a nine-tiered Chinese-style pagoda on a hill above Chiang Rai, with views over the valley.
Explore Wat Huay Pla Kang
Temple, Heritage
Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The temple where the Emerald Buddha was discovered in 1434, now home to a jade replica and a small museum of Lanna art.
Explore Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai
Temple, Art
Wat Rong Khun — White Temple
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Chiang Rai's dazzling all-white temple, covered in mirrored glass and full of symbolism — a life's work by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Explore Wat Rong Khun — White Temple
Temple, Art
Wat Rong Suea Ten — Blue Temple
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A striking temple in deep sapphire blue and gold, with a large white Buddha inside and naga sculptures at the entrance.
Explore Wat Rong Suea Ten — Blue Temple
Historical places
- Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Museum, Art
Baan Dam Museum — Black House
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A dark, unusual museum park of some 40 black buildings by artist Thawan Duchanee, filled with horns, bones, skins and carvings.
Explore Baan Dam Museum — Black HousePalace, Garden, Day trip
Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang Garden
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The Princess Mother's mountain home and its colourful terraced garden, part of the project that replaced opium with coffee, crafts and forest.
Explore Doi Tung Royal Villa & Mae Fah Luang GardenTemple, Viewpoint
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A huge white statue of Guan Yin and a nine-tiered Chinese-style pagoda on a hill above Chiang Rai, with views over the valley.
Explore Wat Huay Pla KangTemple, Heritage
Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The temple where the Emerald Buddha was discovered in 1434, now home to a jade replica and a small museum of Lanna art.
Explore Wat Phra Kaew Chiang RaiTemple, Art
Wat Rong Khun — White Temple
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Chiang Rai's dazzling all-white temple, covered in mirrored glass and full of symbolism — a life's work by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Explore Wat Rong Khun — White TempleTemple, Art
Wat Rong Suea Ten — Blue Temple
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A striking temple in deep sapphire blue and gold, with a large white Buddha inside and naga sculptures at the entrance.
Explore Wat Rong Suea Ten — Blue Temple
Local food
Khao Soi
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The northern curry noodle soup, served all over Chiang Rai.
Nam Ngiao
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A northern noodle soup with pork, tomato and dried kapok flowers, mildly spicy and tangy.
Doi Chaang and Doi Tung coffee
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Arabica coffee grown in the Chiang Rai hills — try it at farm cafés or in town.
Where to eat
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Phahonyothin Road, near the bus terminal
Evening food court and market with northern dishes, hot pots and souvenirs.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Saturday Walking Street
Thanalai Road
A weekly street market with local food, crafts and music.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Where to stay
City centre (around the clock tower)
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Close to the night bazaar, bus terminal and restaurants.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Kok River
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Quieter resorts along the river just outside town.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Culture
Chiang Rai shares Lanna traditions with Chiang Mai, and the hills are home to Akha, Lahu, Yao and other hill-tribe communities. The city is also known for its modern Thai artists.
History
Chiang Rai was founded by King Mangrai in 1262, before he moved his capital to Chiang Mai, and was one of the first cities of the Lanna Kingdom. The Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok, is said to have been discovered here in 1434 at Wat Phra Kaew.
The region later passed between Lanna, Burmese and Siamese control and became part of Siam in the 1800s. The hills around it were once part of the opium-growing Golden Triangle; royal projects such as Doi Tung replaced opium with coffee, tea and flowers.
Travel information
- Country: Thailand
- Language: Thai; English is widely used in tourist areas.
- Currency: Thai baht (THB).
- Time zone: Indochina Time, UTC+7.
- Suggested stay: Two to three days for the temples, the Golden Triangle and the tea hills.
Tour plans
Chiang Rai in two days
2 days, 1 nightStep 1: Day 1 — Temples and art
White Temple in the morning, Blue Temple and Wat Phra Kaew in the afternoon, the clock tower light show and Night Bazaar in the evening.
Step 2: Day 2 — The far north
Baan Dam, then the Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen ruins and Doi Tung gardens.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to February is cool and dry. March–April is hot and can be smoky; May to October brings rain and green hills.
How to get there
Flights: Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) has daily flights from Bangkok (about 1 hour 20 minutes). Buses: Regular buses from Chiang Mai take about 3–4 hours; overnight buses from Bangkok take about 11–12 hours.
Getting around
Grab, tuk-tuks and songthaews work in town. For the temples and the north, hire a driver, join a tour or rent a scooter or car.
Travel tips
Dress modestly at the temples. The White Temple is busiest from late morning; start early. Nights can be cold in December and January.
