Visiting Thailand’s more popular tourist destinations may feel repetitive for some adventurers at heart. You should consider the northern part of Thailand, Chiang Rai, as your destination. To discover which Chiang Rai attractions are best for your trip bucket list, see the information below.
Chiang Rai Attractions
Unlike the bustling tourist hubs of Pattaya or Bangkok, Chiang Rai offers hidden gems that celebrate Thailand’s rich history, culture, natural beauty, and distinctive art.
Chiang Rai Attractions: Places to Visit
Most attractions in Chiang Rai offer a calm and relaxing atmosphere, as they are typically less crowded than other popular destinations in Thailand. During the day, you can explore places such as Wat Rong Khun, Wat Rong Suea Ten, and many others. In the evenings, people can enjoy the vibrant nightlife in Chiang Rai, by visiting the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and Walking Street.
Here are some highly recommended attractions for you:
1. Wat Huai Pla Kang: Goddess of Mercy Chiang Rai
This attraction, also known as the Temple of Mercy, is a captivating destination for travelers seeking a peaceful getaway. There’s an elevator to the top of the Chao Mae Kuan Im statue for those who want a better view from above. The elevator fee is approximately THB 40 (USD 1.15) for adults.
Visitors can make their experience more meaningful by donating items like clothes or sacks of rice valued at THB 100 (USD 2.87) to support local orphans and the elderly.
- Location: 553 หมู่ที่ 3 549 หมู่3 Tambon Mae Yao, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
- Operating hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Entry Tickets: Free. However, the fee for those using the elevator is THB 20 (USD 0.58) for locals and THB 40 (USD 1.16) for foreigners.
2. Wat Rong Khun
Another fascinating destination in Chiang Rai is the White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun. This one of the best Chiang Rai Attractions is a religious building with a modern architectural style infused with Buddhist symbolism, is decorated in white as the dominant color, and has many glass decorations.
Upon entering, visitors cross a symbolic bridge lined with statues believed to depict the realms of heaven and hell.
To get to this remarkable temple, you’ll only need about a 15-minute travel time from central Chiang Rai. Last but not least, pay attention to the do’s and don’ts while exploring this attraction.
- Location: Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
- Operating hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entry Tickets: THB 100 (USD 2.90)
3. Wat Rong Suea Ten
For people wondering what free things to do in Chiang Rai are, this one could be for you: visiting Wat Rong Suea Ten, meaning the ‘Temple of the Dancing Tigers’. This temple is one of the unique temples in Chiang Rai that you must visit at least once.
The temple complex includes several buildings, some featuring impressive statues. The exterior of the Blue Temple is beautifully complemented by a fountain, with a Buddha statue as the centerpiece.
Upon entering, there’s a white Buddha statue illuminated by blue lights, along with many paintings depicting Buddha, tigers, and other figures in Buddhism.
- Location: 306 หมู่ที่ 2 Maekok Rd, Tambon Rim Kok, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
- Operating hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Entry Tickets: Free
4. Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park
Wondering what fun things to do in Chiang Rai with family? You can have a small picnic at Mae Fah Luang Park! At this family-friendly destination, you can take a breath for a while and enjoy the peaceful, rural atmosphere with family or friends.
The park features many wooden gazebos where people can rest or lie down while enjoying the fresh air and the green trees around them.
A small lake within the park is covered with lotus plants, and, depending on the season, you might be lucky enough to see tropical flowers in bloom.
To be able to visit the attraction, people usually take about a 12-15 minute journey from the city center. Although it can be risky if you’re not used to it, travel time on a motorbike is typically 2-5 minutes faster. Regardless, carefully pick the transportation option that suits you best!
- Location: 313 หมู่ที่ 7 บ้าน Pa Ngew, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
- Operating hours: Accessible 24 hours
- Entry Tickets: Students, seniors, and residents must pay THB 100 (USD 2.90) to enter the park and exhibition. Foreign tourists must pay THB 200 (USD 5.80).
5. Choui Fong Tea as one of the best chiang rai attractions
The Choui Fong Tea Fields is a recommended outdoor attraction in Mueang Chiang Rai. The tea fields, Thailand’s largest tea-growing region, offer both agricultural and educational experiences for people enthusiastic about tea. Located among valleys and mountains, this plantation presents magical scenery of lush tea fields at 1,200 meters above sea level.
Having been in operation for over 40 years, Choui Fong Tea Chiang Rai now features more facilities, such as tea shops and restaurants, where people can enjoy a variety of tea-based food and beverages. Visitors can purchase popular types of tea, including green tea, red tea, oolong tea, black tea, and many others.
- Location: Pa Sang, Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai 57110, Thailand
- Operating hours: Daily, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entry Tickets: Free
6. Baan Dam Museum
Baan Dam, also known as the Black Temple, earns its name from the striking black color that dominates its structures. Some of its intricately carved doors are flanked by Buddhist statues on either side.
Along with historical artifacts, piles of stones arranged in certain formations are found at some corners of the museum yards. One of them looked like a miniature of London’s Stonehenge.
Inside the museum complex, there’s a gift shop where visitors can buy souvenirs, T-shirts, hats, and other Thai-themed items. To reach the museum, you can book a taxi or other transportation. The journey time by car is about 25 minutes from downtown Chiang Rai.
- Location: 333 Nang Lae, Mueang District Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
- Operating hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Entry Tickets: THB 80 (USD 2.32)
7. Oub Kham Museum
Around a 10-minute drive from downtown, there’s a hidden gem that only a few foreigners know: the Oub Kham Museum. Multi-story city buildings surround this museum and display a wide range of ancient Lanna dynasty relics. In fact, the museum is managed by a descendant of the Lanna royal family.
Inside, you’ll find displays of ancient royal items, including artifacts, crowns, costumes, paintings, and other historical items. Some of them are securely displayed inside glass cabinets.
- Location: 81/1 Nahkhai Rd, Tambon Rop Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
- Operating hours: Daily, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Entry Tickets: THB 300 (USD 8.70)
8. Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
After a day of exploring temples and museums, it’s time to have a relaxing night at the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. The place is just a 30-minute walk or a 6-7-minute drive from the Chiang Rai city center. Here, you can eat dinner, enjoy the night view, and have fun conversations with family or friends.
At this one of the best Chiang Rai attractions, you’ll find a variety of Thai-themed items, such as clothes, hats, and souvenirs. Food enthusiasts should try a range of drinks and snacks or a meal for dinner, including seafood, noodles, grilled meats, sausages, hotpot, and more. Beverage and cuisine prices start at just THB 20 (USD 0.57).
- Location: WR4M+5M2, Tambon Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
- Operating hours: Daily, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Entry Tickets: free
9. Walking Street Chiang Rai
This one of the best Chiang Rai attractions, called Chiang Rai walking market, is just about 3 km from downtown. This popular spot, often crowded with locals and foreigners, is divided into three complexes. The first section features numerous stalls selling high-quality products from the local community, ethnic Thai items, and even goods from Thai royal projects.
The second section is filled with locals offering a variety of handicrafts made from bamboo, wood, and other materials. This area also has many vendors providing massage services. The final section is dedicated to vendors selling souvenirs and hosting antique exhibitions.
- Location: Thanalai, Tambon Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
- Operating hours: Saturday, 4.00 PM – 11.00 PM
- Entry Tickets: Free
Finally, whichever you choose to explore while spending a holiday in the northeast part of Thailand, ancient temples, or other Chiang Rai attractions, ensure all of your things have been prepared well. To do so, get your flight and hotel booking only on Airpaz!
