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Things To Do In Chiang Rai: Top 5 Must-See Attractions For An Unforgettable Trip

Welcome to the vibrant and enchanting city of Chiang Rai, where adventure awaits around every corner! From exploring fascinating temples to seeing mind-blowing modern art, this northern Thai gem has something for everyone. Chiang Rai is sure to capture your heart and leave you craving more. So grab your sense of wanderlust and get ready for an unforgettable journey through this captivating destination!

Notes On Accessibility:

Notes on accessibility: I wasn't paying attention fully but we did have an older lady with limited mobility on our tour. The tour guide was enormously helpful with her and I've seen this throughout Thailand.

Both temples have steps to enter. The Black House I think had only a few steps into the main house but the gardens/other buildings were rough paths and would be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

There were steps up to the Opium Museum but the car dropped us right at the Golden Triangle viewpoint so that should be fine. The Karen village had dirt paths and I think we had to go down a hill. Anyone with limited mobility may have difficulty exploring the houses and their small, rough floors and crowded/cluttered inside.

However, wheelchair-accessible tours are offered, such as this amazing tour of the White and Blue Temples, Huay Pla Kang Temple, and Lalitta Cafe. It may be easier for guests with mobility issues to take a wheelchair-accessible tour rather than trying to visit these sites independently.

Click Here For A Wheelchair Accessible Tour Of The White And Blue Temples, Huay Pla Kang Temple And Lalitta Cafe

How To Visit The Top 5 Most Amazing Things To Do In Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a spread-out city, without the central core found in Chiang Mai. Many of the top 5 best things to do in Chiang Mai are found either away from the main hotels, or a drive outside the city itself.

The easiest way to visit most of these sites is to take one of the many 1 day tours available in the city. These cost 1000 Baht (in late 2024) but don't include entrance fees. I recommend taking one of the less intense ones so you have more time at each place - I saw one offering 11 sites in as many hours, and I can only imagine how rushed that would be. I used Chiang Rai Lanna Tours, which also takes you to a beautiful tea plantation for a delicious brew.

You can also easily take a day trip from Chiang Mai to the sites below. The day will be longer, but it's a popular and affordable option.

The other way to explore Chiang Rai is to rent a scooter and visit the sites nearer the city. This includes the White Temple, Blue Temple and Black House, and probably the Karen Village. Note that the Golden Triangle is significantly further away so you might need a car to visit, depending on how comfortable you are on long motorbike drives.

If you don't drive or aren't comfortable driving a scooter, you can also use Grab bike or Grab car very easily in Chiang Rai. However, this is likely to work out more expensive than the one-day tour, so I would only recommend this if you're spending a few days in Chiang Rai and want to space out your activities.

Top 5 Best Things To Do in Chiang Rai – Temples, Culture, And Hidden Gems!

1. Explore the quirky White Temple, a must-see attraction in Chiang Rai that will leave you in awe of its intricate details.

First on your list should be a trip to the Instagram-famous White Temple. Built by a modern Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, this stunning structure is completely different to other temples you'll see around the country. Also known as Wat Rong Khun, the temple is a confection of white design symbolizing purity and enlightenment on the outside, but it's when you get inside that the real surprises start.

Unlike more traditional temples, the decor inside is all modern, with pictures of modern heroes such as Captain America sitting side by side with Pikachu. Outside the temple, you'll find cardboard cutouts of the artist where you can pose for a thumbs-up selfie.

A visit to the White Temple is a must both for those stunning pictures, but also for the surrealness of the artist's vision - something of a theme in Chiang Rai, as we'll see through this travel guide.

It costs 100 Baht to enter and the White Temple gets exceptionally busy. It's best to arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

2. Explore the captivating Blue Temple in Chiang Rai, a breathtaking masterpiece adorned with deep sapphire hues and intricate details that blend tradition with modern artistry.

After the White Temple, the Blue Temple is Chiang Rai's most famous attraction. Although it was only finished in 2016, it is a much more traditional temple than the White Temple. Also known as Wat Rong Suea Ten, it's still a unique attraction in Thailand, where most temples are confections of gold and white. The beautiful, peaceful blues of the temple made it my favorite of the two, alongside the more typical Buddhist art around it.

Make sure you keep going towards the back of the temple, where there's a small rock garden with steam billowing around dragon statues!

3. Visit the Black House Museum for a truly unique experience, exploring dark and eerie art installations created by renowned Thai artist Thawan Duchanee.

So many of the best things to do in Chiang Rai centre on modern art, and the Black House Museum is no exception. Originally the studio of famous Thai artist Thawan Duchanee, the huge wooden structure now houses his artwork. While I'm not usually a fan of art galleries or modern art, Duchanee's work is truly something special. Created before the advent of Instagram, his work was so forward-thinking that you now scan an Instagram code for each artwork to see them come to life in 3D.

Duchanee's artwork focuses on his philosophy, representing the darker, more primal side of human nature. While the 3D element of the work is incredible, the art itself can be a bit weird, featuring fairly scary animal scenes. This echoed throughout the rest of the site, where there are rooms filled with animal bones and a toilet full of carved penises. It's definitely worth a visit to this surreal gallery!

It costs 80 Baht per person to enter the Black House, also known as the Baan Dam Museum. It wasn't particularly busy when we were there.

4. Visit the legendary Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge, offering stunning river views and a glimpse into the region's rich history.

Next on your agenda should be a trip out of Chiang Rai city center. About a 1.5-hour drive from the city is the famous Golden Triangle. You'll see the borders of three countries from this vantage point, as the river marks the boundary between Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.

For me, this was a fascinating insight into the current fortunes of these countries. Views of Laos offer extreme growth on a part of the country leased to the Chinese government. Brand new skyscrapers and apartment buildings, all in white, line the shore. This contrasted heavily with the Myanmar side, where there were no visible buildings at all. Instead, trees and greenery stretched as far as I could see, although there were plenty of locals out fishing.

The Golden Triangle was originally famous for the opium trade between the three countries. While you're at the Golden Triangle, take the time to pop into the excellent Hall of Opium Museum, which details this history.

There is no direct cost to view the Golden Triangle, but you will need to factor in transport costs as it's a long ride from the city.

5. Dive into the vibrant culture of Chiang Rai by attending a traditional hill tribe village tour, where you can learn about their customs and way of life.

No trip to Chaing Rai would be complete without understanding at least one of the diverse ethnic groups that live in the north of Thailand. Visiting the Long Neck Karen people is a popular activity in Chiang Rai, as the unique history of this group has forced them to earn a living solely through tourism.

The women of the Karen tribe are famous for the beautiful brass coils they wear around their necks. Young girls start wearing these as young as five, and this has been a tradition in the tribe for centuries.

A wheelchair-accessible tour is offered, including a visit to the Karen Village and a trip to the White and Blue Temples.

Ethical Concerns:

Visiting the Karen tribe presents an ethical quandary, and it's one you should consider carefully before deciding whether to visit. While the majority of the tribe still live in Myanmar, significant groups fled violence in the 1980s. They now live on allocated land in Thailand, but complex immigration and political issues mean that they aren't allowed to leave these villages - meaning that tourism is their only option for significant income. However, many people argue that the success of this tourism creates no impetus for the Thai government to change this status. On top of that, there are the usual concerns about the kind of tourism that encourages groups to gawk at ethnic groups without fully understanding their culture or customs.

Everyone should think carefully about this before deciding whether to visit. I ultimately felt that my visit was ethical - we had a guide who came from another hill tribe, and he was careful to give us a good insight into the life of the tribe. He took us to different handicraft stalls, but also to visit homes (with permission) and explained both the history and how the tribe is changing to adapt to the modern world.

We visited one of the villages near Chiang Rai as part of a day tour. However, if you have more time you could consider doing a homestay in a village a bit further away to promote a greater understanding of their way of life.

Click Here For A Wheelchair Accessible Tour Of The White And Blue Temples And Karen Village

Bonus: Go To Civit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro And Bar

Chiang Rai also has one of the most beautiful cafes I've experienced in Southeast Asia. Set on the banks of the river, near the Blue Temple, the Civit Thamma Da Cafe is well worth a stop. Whether it's just for a coffee or if you need a lunch stop, this beautiful bistro has a range of different areas on the river for every relaxation need. Chill out in their comfortable chairs in the cafe area, sample delicious treats in the restaurant, or venture upstairs into the Library for some upper-crust vibes. They even have a croquet lawn!

Heading to Chiang Mai after Chiang Rai? Check out my guide to the most gorgeous cafes in Chiang Mai.

After Your Exciting Adventures: The Best Things To Do In Chiang Rai At Night

After a busy day of exploring, venture out into Chiang Rai for a couple of can't-miss nighttime experiences. Check out the fabulous clock tower, which lights up each evening at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm. Or head to the nightmarket for delicious Thai food!

Chiang Rai is a vibrant and exciting destination with endless opportunities for culture (and cafes!). Whether you're exploring the stunning White Temple, or immersing yourself in the culture of the Karen tribe, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this enchanting city. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to make unforgettable memories in Chiang Rai!

Author bio: Em is in her late 30s and has been travelling solo since her early 20s. She's been to 48 countries (and counting) and is currently travelling for a year around South East Asia. She shares tips and tricks, destination guides, and what it's really like to travel solo when you’re over 21, all on her blog, Em's Globetrotting Gems.

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