If you’ve reached your quota of cocktails on the beach and sun-baked island hopping, head north to Chiang Rai to devour your body weight in Thai street food at the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, discover authentic hill tribe culture and marvel at some insanely intricate temples. Approximately 3.5-hours drive from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai was once the royal capital of Thailand. Today, Chiang Rai delivers a delightful dose of northern Thai culture and serves as the gateway to the Golden Triangle, which is where the borders of three countries converge – Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). While the list of must-see temples and sights in Chiang Rai is vast, if you only have a few days, be sure to check out the electric blue Wat Rong Suea Ten, which is also known as The Blue Temple and Temple of the Dancing Tiger, and the magnificent bright white Wat Rong Khun. At the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the dark and mysterious ebony-hued Baan Dam Museum, a fascinating (and mildly unsettling) collection of work from national artist Thawan Duchanee that uses skins, bones, teeth and taxidermy. If you’re after a truly eye-opening culture shock of the best kind, head out to visit some of the hill tribes and get a glimpse of traditional hill tribe culture and life. It’s an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Ready to experience northern Thailand? Call our team of travel experts to start planning your perfect tailor-made holiday to Chiang Rai.
- How many days in Chiang Rai is enough?
It depends how deep you want to go. If you hope to make it out to the hill tribes and get a true sense of Chiang Rai and all of its unique sights, ideally you would want to carve out five to seven days.
- How far is it from Chiang Rai to the Golden Triangle?
Chiang Rai is about 68-kms from the Golden Triangle.
- What is the difference between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai?
While both places share some similarities, they are pretty different in terms of their offering. When it comes to tourist-centric amenity, Chiang Mai trumps with its nightlife, markets and entertainment. Chiang Rai, on the other hand, is driven by industry rather than tourism and is suited to those who like to experience the culture of a country beyond the glossy brochure.
- What to take on holiday to Chiang Rai?
Comfortable shoes for visiting the sites as well as light, breathable clothing. Thailand on the whole is pretty casual, so no need to overpack, a t-shirt and shorts or dress will do fine for most days.
- When is the best time to visit Chiang Rai?
Between October and February the weather is generally pretty pleasant with low temperatures and humidity.
- Where to go on holiday in Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai offers a vast array of interesting and culturally rich destinations. Some popular places to visit include the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), the Black House (Baandam Museum), and the Golden Triangle (where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet). If time permits, the hill tribes are fascinating.
- What is there to do in Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai is certainly a little slower than its younger, sprightlier sibling Chiang Mai, there’s still plenty to see and do, from sightseeing to meandering around the market eating your bodyweight in authentic Thai street food. Better yet, take a cooking class and learn to make it yourself.
- How do I go about cancelling my Chiang Rai holiday package?
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- How to find the best holiday package to Chiang Rai?
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