The golden clock tower
Main crossroads of the city centre
An ornate gold tower in the flowing style of the White Temple artist, the most photographed landmark in town.
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Chiang Rai, Thailand
Chiang Rai Clock Tower
The golden clock tower in the middle of town, designed by the White Temple artist, with a short light-and-music show every evening.
Favourite places
The evening light show
Around the roundabout
After dark the tower changes colour in time to music for a few minutes. Watch from the pavement corners.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Night Bazaar
A short walk east, by the bus terminal
Handicraft stalls and a big food court with live music every evening.
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Local food
Jim jum
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Northeastern-style hot pot cooked in a clay pot over charcoal, with herbs, meat and vegetables — a favourite at the Night Bazaar.
Khao soi
Chiang Rai, Thailand
The signature noodle soup of northern Thailand: egg noodles in a rich coconut curry broth, usually with chicken or beef, topped with crispy fried noodles and served with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime.
Sai ua
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Grilled northern Thai pork sausage packed with lemongrass, kaffir lime, chilli and herbs. Sold in coils at markets and eaten with sticky rice.
Where to eat
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Phaholyothin Road, near the bus terminal
Every evening a big food court of stalls sits in front of a stage with live music — hot pot (jim jum), grilled fish, noodles and northern dishes.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Saturday Night Walking Street
Thanalai Road, town centre
On Saturday evenings Thanalai Road closes to traffic and fills with handicraft stalls and street food — sai ua, grilled skewers and northern snacks.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Sunday Walking Street
San Khong Noi Road
A Sunday evening market of food and local goods, a little south-west of the centre.
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Where to stay
Chiang Rai town centre
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Around the clock tower and the Night Bazaar: guesthouses and hotels within walking distance of restaurants, the walking streets and the bus terminal.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Kok River riverside
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Resorts and quieter hotels along the Kok River on the north side of town — greener and calmer, a short drive from the centre.
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Culture
The clock tower was built to honour King Bhumibol and is a source of local pride. Like the White Temple, it is the work of Chalermchai Kositpipat, who was born in Chiang Rai and has given much of his art to his home city.
History
Chalermchai Kositpipat designed the ornate golden clock tower, which opened in 2008 in honour of King Bhumibol. In the evening it changes colour to music, and the streets around it fill with restaurants and the night bazaar.
Tour plans
Chiang Rai evening
EveningStep 1: Sunset at a temple
Visit Wat Phra Kaew or Wat Huay Pla Kang in the late afternoon.
Step 2: Clock tower show
Be at the tower after dark for the light show.
Step 3: Night Bazaar
Walk to the bazaar for jim jum and live music.
Travel information
Best time to visit
All year, in the evening — come for the light-and-music show after dark, ideally in the cool season from November to February.
How to get there
At the main crossroads of the city centre.
Getting around
Chiang Rai's centre is small and easy to walk. For the temples outside town use Grab, a tuk-tuk or a hired car with driver; local buses from the old bus terminal (by the Night Bazaar) run north towards Mae Sai and south towards the White Temple. Most hotels in the centre are within walking distance of the tower.
Travel tips
Watch the light show in the evening (usually at 7, 8 and 9 pm), then walk to the Night Bazaar.
