Location: Chiang Rai
Top Things to do in Chiang Rai
Top Restaurants in Chiang Rai
10 Nature & Parks in Chiang Rai That You Shouldn't Miss
Located about five hours from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a community not to be missed. The area offers a variety of cooking classes, beautiful views, markets, resorts and restaurants. In addition, visitors can get a feel for true northern Thai culture during their visit.
Restaurants in Chiang Rai
1. Elephant Valley Thailand
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 613 reviews
Elephant Valley Thailand was Chiang Rai's elephant sanctuary. Established in 2016 it closed in May 2020 due to Covid19 crisis.
Reviewed By S7389LAbrandonw - Faringdon, United Kingdom
Thank you to JJ, Bim & Phon (sorry if spelt wrong) for having us at Elephant Valley, it was such an amazing experience and definitely the highlight of our trip to Asia! We did the full day tour/volunteering experience with overnight stay at the guest house which I would 100% recommend for anyone considering seeing elephants in Thailand! This is a true "sanctuary", totally hands off to tourists so you get to learn about and see first hand how these beautiful animals interact in their natural habitat which is incredible. Not only that but you get to help the keepers and staff prepare the elephants food, clean up their poo (more fun than it sounds) and genuinely help to keep the sanctuary a great place for the elephant to live . Thanks again Elephant Valley Thailand!
2. Doi Mae Salong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 625 reviews
Doi Mae Salong is a primarily Chinese community that offers a variety of activities. Visitors can take in a morning market, tour General Tuan's Tomb, go to a memorial museum and take in tea tastings while visiting the village.
Reviewed By karenw436 - Perth, Australia
Very beautiful mountain top village, known for its tea plantations x i stayed 3 nights, wished i stayed longer to explore the surrounding villages more so. AMA MAESALONG accommodation was top class, great views and delish breakfast x
3. Khun Korn Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By W81SErobertd
Great hike for any outdoorsy type or seasoned hiker, it is an easy ramble. I am 62 and did not have a problem, and I am getting fat and lazy. But for the rest of us…It is still a 1400m hike up hill or 1.4 Kilometer and a round trip of say 3 kilometers! And it gets steep at times…You might need both hands and feet to navigate the more difficult areas. I had a few people that wanted to turn back and met a family from India that were struggling, I encourage them on with only 500m to go. Still, it is well worth the pain, and there is no danger. The treat at the end when you arrive at the falls is a swim and shower. With COVID you may very well have the place to yourselves………………
4. Mae Fah Luang Art and Culture Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park houses the region's largest collection of folk art and teak artifacts from the Lanna Kingdom. It has been recognized as a unique tourist destination in northern Thailand and has won the Thailand Tourism Award 2006 as an outstanding tourism destination in the category of Arts and Culture.
Reviewed By MariaGasemHuanbutta - Pathum Thani Province, Thailand
Although the people might mistaken this place with Doi Tung, they are all under the project and patronage of Mae Fah Luang, the art and cultural park is in Chiang Rai City, a bit out of skirts. If you want to have a pure "thainess" experience, this is the place. Secluded location, the trees and careful crafted gardens, takes you to the heart of this unique Thai country that we love. When you start driving inside the park, seems to be "another park", "another view", another lake, but no... there are two beautiful hall-pavilions, large, one with a permanent gallery and changing exhibitions and another one, with lanna kingdom memorabilia. Last but not least, you will find a lot of unique spots to take beautiful photos and very detailed information provided by the carers and well trained staff that will provide you with all information needed. It is a quiet place, slow motion, to enjoy and walk around. Need to spend, if you like art and nature, a couple of hours to visit. Enjoy it and dont miss it!
5. Doi Sa Ngo
6. Mueang Chiang Rai Park
7. 75 Anniversary Flag And Lamp Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By skyisblu - Montreal, Canada
Just happened upon this magnificent flower festival, which seems to be an annual occurrence, as we saw it being advertised as the 16th edition! The park is transformed into a gorgeous blooming botanical garden! Pathways of astroturf are laid everywhere, and gardens of potted flowers are grouped into magnificent masses of colour and scent. This year's themed showcased traditional Hilltribe clothing paired with beds and backdrops of complimentary blooms. There was even a "tunnel of love", heart-shaped and filled to the brim with orchids. There was no entry fee to visit, and the site is lit up at night, so I would suggest an evening visit, to enjoy the coolness of the evening, but still be surrounded with the glorious fragrance of the sun-warmed flowers. Just across the street, we found a night market that seemed to be set up in conjunction with the festival, which included artisan stalls AND a food market. The variety of food available was staggering, and everything was very tasty and reasonably-priced. The communal tables were full of local families, so I think this festival caterers more to the population of Chiang Rai, and not the tourists. The products at the artisan market were also fairly-priced, and original, most of the artists being present in their stalls, working on their craft. No tacky souvenirs here! If you happen to visiting Chiang Rai in late December - early January, make sure to look up the Chiang Rai Flower Festival! It's totally worth the detour!
8. Chiang Saen
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By 977vernd - Chiang Saen, Thailand
moved here three times in 12 years ; the grass is NOT greener elsewhere ; Chiang Saen ("CS") is a small city ; reffles my feathers when some some , spending 5 minutes in the city driving though ,call it a town; we have all 5 of the 5 biggest banks in thailand; 3 7-11s CS is also a district , that includes sob ruak, the golden triangle, 8 km north , upriver; the city is on the mekong river (the real name is Mae Khong); the largest market is in the city center; there are 3 weekly markets, sat night, sun morn, thurs afternoon/eve; at night the city center and riverside transforms as local vendors come out selling food; sit down style; three best temples: 1) wat paang ngao; 4 km south of the main city; downriver 2) wat chom kitti , in the village of the same name on the west fringe of the city 3) wat cheddi luang ; inside the city walls
9. Wat Tham Pha Tong
10. Boon Rawd Farm (Singha Park)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By neald328 - Brisbane, Australia
The carefully manicured grounds of this tea plantation are amazing. You can truly relax here looking over the tea bushes to the lake below. The food is really good and well priced. You could set here with a few jugs of Singha beer( what else would you drink here? If you are in Chiang Rai do not miss this place.
