6 Places to Visit in Chiang Rai + Things To Do

Chiang Rai offers a unique and budget-friendly experience of Thailand culture. The city in the northernmost part of the country, the side closest to Laos and Burma, may not be as pricey as Bangkok or Phuket, but it is rich with impressive sights to see and cool things to do, offering a great travel experience alright.

With its rich history, from being Mangrai Dynasty’s capital to going under Burmese rule until it was declared a Thailand province in 1933, Chiang Rai presents some significant historical sights worth visiting. But modern-day structures are not to miss, too. Recent developments featuring the homegrown talents that built impressive architecture are drawing crowds, making Wat Ring Khun or the White Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten or the Blue Temple, and Baan Dam Museum the most popular attractions to date.

Unlike Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai’s airport serves domestic flights from Bangkok. International tourists from Singapore, China, Hongkong, Taiwan, and South Korea who want a faster and easier route to the province go through Chiang Mai International Airport and travel three hours to Chiang Rai.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Chiang Rai travel essentials

Click below to compare rates & read reviews:

Chiang Rai HotelsTours + discountsFlights

Popular tours & discounts booked by other travelers:

View all travel tips on: Chiang Rai.

1. White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Location: 60 หมู่ที่ 1 Phahonyothin Rd, Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

For more travel inspiration, follow Detourista on:

InstagramFacebooktiktokPinterest

2. Black Houses (Baandam Museum)

Black Houses (Baandam Museum) in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Black Houses (Baandam Museum) in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Black Houses (Baandam Museum) in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Marcos at the Black Houses (Baandam Museum) in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Location: 333 หมู่ 13 พิพิธภัณฑ์บ้านดำ Nang Lae, อำเภอเมือง Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

3. Clock Tower Chiang Rai

Clocktower in Chiang Rai city center, Thailand

Location: 306 หมู่ที่ 2 Maekok Rd, Tambon Rim Kok, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

4. Indulge in Northern Thai Food

Khao Soi (North Thailand specialty dish) in Chiang Rai, Thailand

5. Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

Chiang Rai Night Bazaar in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Location: Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

6. Wat Jed Yod

Wat Jed Yod in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Location: Jetyod Rd, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

Where to go near Chiang Rai & beyond

Chiang Mai

Location: Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

Chiang Mai Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Chiang Mai travel tips

9 Places To Visit in Chiang Mai

Luang Prabang, Laos

Monks at the riverside in Luang Prabang, Laos

Location: Luang Prabang province, northern Laos. Save on Google Maps.

Luang Prabang Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Luang Prabang, Laos travel tips

11 Places To Visit in Luang Prabang

Bangkok

Location: Bangkok, central Thailand. Save on Google Maps.

Bangkok Travel Essentials

Where to stayTours + discounts

See more: Bangkok travel tips

12 Places To Visit in Bangkok

Bangkok Itinerary + Travel Guide

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Chiang Rai that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai tourist spots, things to do in Chiang Rai, where to go in Chiang Rai & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Don’t Stop Here

Click below for more travel inspiration:

20 Places To Visit in Thailand

Bangkok Itinerary + Travel Guide