Places to Visit in Chiang Rai

Wat Phra Singh, located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a revered Buddhist temple known for its stunning architecture and religious significance. Dating back to the 14th century, the temple houses the sacred Phra Singh Buddha image.

The most spectacular and iconic of all the structures claimed by Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun is a jewel in the crown of the city. Due to its finely chiselled white structure that glistens like the moon, it is widely known as The White Temple. In 1997, the construction of the temple was completed and the complex was opened for visitors.

The exquisite contemporary architecture of the temple is an absolute visual treat worth clicking on the camera from various perspectives. While “Gate of Heaven” and “Cycle of Rebirth” are the major attractions within the complex, a golden building serving as the rest rooms building stands out with its unique appeal, creating a strong contrast with the main white building.

Gear up for a tranquil getaway at Doi Mae Salong to find yourself in one of the most picturesque tourist places in Chiang Rai. This mountain peak is known to offer you serene surroundings where you can combine your visit with many exciting activities like tea plantation visit, eating delicious local food, photography, etc.

Located right in the main town of Chiang Rai, the clock tower with its bright golden architectural style is a crowd-puller. If the architecture and pattern of this tower are similar to the White Temple, it is because both of these structures have been designed by the same artist, Chalermchai Khositpipat. The tower was opened to the public in 2008 as an honor to His Majesty, The King.

This is an absolutely breath-taking cliff in Chiang Rai, which provides a scintillating view of the island, its beaches and mountains. The path that leads into this cliff is filled with dense mangroves and greenery that keep you spell bound all through the journey.

A must-see tourist place in Chiang Mai, Wat Huai Pla Kung is a famous 9-tiered temple with the largest Guan Yin Bodhisattva in Thailand. The place boasts an interesting architectural design which is an amalgamation of Thai and Chinese architecture.

Take a short boat ride on the Mae Kok River in Chiang Mai to be swept away by some of the most gorgeous views of the natural landscape in this beautiful mountainous city of Thailand. Starting from Thatorn to Chiang Rai, this is one of the most adventurous activities to do in Chiang Rai.

Situated in the Chiang Rai Province on the northern coast of Thailand, the Golden Triangle is one of its most enduring and attractive tourist destinations. The landscape of this stunning tourist destination is shrouded with lush jungles, and hills while the Ruak River flows by merrily on its course.

One of the most attractive places to visit in Chiang Rai, Singha Park should be on your bucket list. A place where you can have a fun-filled day, Singha Park is replete with places like a small zoo, zip line, farm, vegetable and fruit garden. This is a place where you can look forward to having an adventure with your loved ones.

The culture of Thailand is unique due to the presence of a large number of tribal communities here. Mae Fah Luang Art & Culture Park was imparting education to certain ethnic minority tribes. Today, since it doesn’t impart education anymore, it is a museum that holds priceless collections reflecting authentic Thai and Lanna cultures.

If there is one place in Chiang Rai where you can see Thai culture at its fullest form, it is the night market or the night bazaar. Close to the Walking Street types of Thailand, this night bazaar is where you can shop for exclusive handicraft items made of wood, scarves, bags, jewelry, and many kinds of souvenirs that reflect Lanna culture and other hill tribal communities, at reasonable prices.

A visit to the Oub Kham Museum is the perfect way to increase your knowledge about the rich history of the Lanna Kingdom. If you consider yourself a culture vulture, the exhibits put on display the tribal artifacts and other objects of historical importance will impress you with their priceless collections.

Unlike most temples in Chiang Rai, Blue Temple is a recent addition to its collection of exquisite temples. Built in 2005 over the ruins of an ancient shrine, this temple is dedicated to the tigers that inhabited the region once. Wat Rong Seua Ten, known as Blue Temple by outsiders, is an exemplifying blend of modern art and traditional architecture in Chiang Rai.

Wat Tham Pla is a popular site among locals as well as outsiders due to its religious significance and all the surprises it holds within its divine realm. The temple is popularly called Monkey Temple due to the large number of macaques that live here. Located close to the Burmese border, the temple complex has a modest but attractive façade and a very tranquil ambiance.

Another gorgeous waterfall adorning the geography of Chiang Rai with its mere presence, Pu Kaeng is an entrance to the world of unspoilt nature and serenity. Located within the peaceful domain of Doi Luang National Park, this waterfall snakes through virgin forests before finally bouncing off several naturally formed rocky steps.

Spread across a large area and surrounded by raw nature, Wat Huay Pla Kang complex houses a giant white image of Guan Yin, The Goddess of Mercy, which can be seen from afar. The presence of this statue makes this Buddhist temple one of the most remarkable tourist places in Chiang Rai.

Learn more about the diversity of north Thai culture by visiting one of the hill tribe villages near Chiang Rai. As you’ll need transportation and a translator to get the most out of the experience, hill tribe villages are most commonly visited as part of a cultural research. The most visited tribal villages are Karen Village Akha Village and Hmong Village due to its heritage and ancient tradition.

Enjoy an interesting excursion with a visit to Baan Dam Museum in Chiang Rai. One of the most fascinating places to visit in Chiang Rai, Baan Dam Museum often conceived as Thawan Duchanee’s creative portrayal of what hell would look like. It comprises of a temple that houses a collection of skins, bones, teeth, and taxidermy of a range array of animals.

If you are looking forward to spending a couple of easy hours with your family, Mae Khachan Hot Springs is one of the best places to visit in Chiang Rai. Located between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, the hot spring is frequently visited by people traveling between the two cities.

Add some thrill and action to your trip by visiting Tree Top Adventure Park, one of the best places to visit in Chiang Rai for any adventure seeker. From children to adults, the park is ideally designed to deliver an exciting outing experience to everyone. Although the range of activities is not quite wide, they are good enough to quench your hunger for adventure.

A unique museum in the Golden Triangle area that will take you on an interesting journey where you can learn some valuable facts about opium, its history, its usage, and much more, Hall of Opium Museum is one of the top tourist places in Chiang Rai. Offering an interactive learning experience to adults as well as kids, this museum is a great spot where you can visit with your entire family and spend some leisurely moments.

A wonderful royal villa located in Chiang Rai, the Doi Tung palace, is one of the major landscapes in the quiet island. The simple yet elegant interiors of the palace are a pure blend of magnificent Swiss and Lanna architectural styles. This was the residence of Late Princess Mother, who contributed immensely for uplifting the living conditions of the tribal people in this area.

Whether you are seeking opportunities to get adventurous or you want a blanket of calm to engulf you, Huay Mae Sai Waterfall is among the most heavenly tourist places in Chiang Rai. The path that leads to the waterfall is rough, so you have to resort to either an elephant ride or a 4x4 vehicle to reach here.

Bring out your creative side at Doi Din Dang Pottery and design some creative items when you are in Chiang Rai. One of the most exciting places to visit in Chiang Rai, this place is surrounded by the most serene landscape and allows you to channel your artistic energies.

If people in Chiang Rai and all over Thailand are aware of the excellent cultural traditions and heritage that were prevalent in Northern Thailand many centuries ago during the Lanna Kingdom rule, it is due to this excellent museum.

Topping the list of the most excellent tourist places in Chiang Rai ideal for spending an eventful evening with family and friends, Chiang Rai Walking Street is a busy market area. Throngs of visitors with all their energy and excitement create a happening atmosphere that is sure to cheer anyone up.

A recent addition to the spectrum of the best tourist places in Chiang Rai, Wat Huay Pla Kang, also known as 9 Tier Temple, is a Chinese-style Buddhist temple located on a mountaintop in Muang County. Due to its towering structure exemplifying intricate designs and captivating patterns along with a giant Guan Yin Statue, the place is widely admired by architecture buffs.

Located in Lam Nam Kok National Park by the Kok River, these natural hot springs feature an average temperature of 67 degrees Celsius. The mineral water of the springs is a delight for your body, a bath in which is sure to free you from the tiredness of your soul and the soreness of your muscles.

This is one of the lesser travelled destinations in Chiang Rai and therefore, its beauty is yet to be explored. Located at a good 993m above sea level, this point is perfect for people who love camping and having a solitary time with nature. Though it is quite scenic and provides an excellent view of the island and its surroundings, the road that leads to this point is quite risky.

Take a break from back-to-back temple visits and sightseeing tours, and spend some quality time at Pong Phra Bat Hot Spring – one of the best places to visit in Chiang Rai. The hot spring is tucked away from the city in the lap of nature and promises a soothing getaway to the locals as well as tourists.

If you miss out on this pretty site near Chiang Rai, you may want to regret it later. Sop Ruak is a quaint village and the center of the Golden Triangle that connects Thailand with Myanmar and Laos. Due to its significant location, Sop Ruak happens to be a potpourri of cultures. For sightseers, the region features a number of Buddhist temples and museums that keep them amused throughout their time here.

Chiang Rai claims some of the most popular hot springs in Thailand, and Pong Phra Soet is one of them. If you are planning to visit Lam Nam Kok National Park, you must spend a few hours here, soaking in the lavishness of nature. There is a big pool of hot water that can be used by the public for taking dips and relaxing their body.

Another gem of a structure in Chiang Rai demonstrating the historical richness and architectural brilliance that Thailand claims The Navel City Pillar is one of the iconic places to visit in Chiang Rai. Unlike other cities in Thailand that have a single central pillar erected, Chiang Rai’s city pillar is a collection of 109 pillars.

Renowned as one of the most beautiful temples in Chiang Rai, Wat Klang Wiang is an elegant piece of architecture. The temple is famous for putting to exquisiteness the Lanna architectural style and captivating the tourists with its ornate design. One of the major highlights of Wat Klang Wiang is the beautifully carved images of Buddha which can be witnessed on all the three levels of the temple. One must visit this temple to have a spiritual rendezvous in the beautiful city of Chiang Rai.

Hailed as one of the most exciting things to do in Chiang Rai, visiting the Hill Tribe will leave you ecstatic on your vacation. The experience is a must-try for all the culture lovers in Chiang Rai as it lets you become friends with local families and villagers and take back home some beautiful memories.

As the name indicates, Art Bridge is the place which bridges all kinds of gaps that artists might face in Chiang Rai. Set up by local artists from the island during 2012, Art Bridge contains a gallery to showcase brilliant art forms, restaurant, café, library, art school and souvenir shop. In the local dialect, this place is known as Khua Silapa which means bridge of art.

One of the most gorgeous places to visit in Chiang Rai, Khun Korn Waterfall is a place which you should not miss on your vacation. One can reach here after passing a landscape replete with rice fields and dense green jungles and then hiking through a tall bamboo forest.

Built during as early as 10th century, this temple is located at the tallest point in Chiang Rai and hence provides a scintillating view of the entire island. The temple was constructed even before the island was made the Lanna capital. As the temple contains sacred relics and images of Lord Buddha, this is an important place of worship for the locals of the island and for people all over Thailand.

If you are looking forward to getting an authentic experience of the culture in Chiang Rai, head straight to Ban Pang Ha Village and spend a couple of days here observing people and their slow pace of simple life. Knife-making and agriculture are two major sources of income for the villagers, so you can also learn a skill or two from them.

Wana Horse and Ostrich Farm in Chiang Rai offers a unique and enjoyable experience. Visitors can engage in horseback riding and interact with friendly ostriches, creating memorable moments.