Location: Chiang Rai
Top Things to do in Chiang Rai
Top Restaurants in Chiang Rai
10 Sacred & Religious Sites 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. Quan Yin, on the mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By barryh67 - Madeira, Portugal
We visited during a 3 day tour of the far North and this was an unscheduled visit but really interesting. We went up in the lift and the local guide in the room told our guide the meaning of the story of the carvings in the wall. Beautifully presented. We then visited the temple to the side area, again worthwhile to see.
2. Wat Mangkol Thawararam
3. Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 922 reviews
This was the original location of the Emerald Buddha, now housed in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo.
Reviewed By Bryan1701 - Indianapolis, United States
Beautiful temple and historic site in northern Thailand. Worth visiting if going to Thailand. We were there as part of a small group tour with World Spree.
4. Wat Rong Khun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,762 reviews
Reviewed By 618barryt - Gosnells, Australia
The White Temple looks amazing the detail on the Temple buildings is incredible and there is a lot of modern themes in the paintings and sculptures in the complex the ablution building is an art piece on its own it’s painted gold as a contrast to the white.The White Temple is definitely one of a kind and if you have the chance to get there you’ll be rewarded with something that you have never seen before
5. Wat Phrathat Chom Sak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
6. Wat Chetawan Temple
7. Wat Huay Pla Kang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 501 reviews
Reviewed By guyth0mps0n - London, United Kingdom
Not many places mention this, but this should be in everyone's top 3 along with the Blue Temple & White Temple. Set on a hillside about 15 minutes from Chiang Rai is Huay Pla Kang Temple With a huge statue of the goddess of mercy - Guan Yin, although its known as Chiang Rai's Big Buddha (damn those lazy tourists!) It is quite new in terms of temples, but it is still amazing! The area is free into the area, which includes a white temple hall and the 9 story Pagoda which you can climb up! No lift though! But the main attraction is the 90 meter Guan Yin which is how and you can get the lift up to the top. 40baht (£1) but there is no stair option! Those who are not fans of lifts, they are new and very smooth. It is a matter of seconds inside! But it is worth it! Once at the top of the statue inside is a moral of religious scenes and status all in white, some of which have jewels adorning them. It truly is memorising. You can also see our through her eyes and third eye, looking out over the landscape. It is beautiful! There are some food stalls and shops dotted around inside the grounds. Also there is a free shuttle bus that will take you from the car park to the base of the statue. Definitely a must when in Chiang Rai! Rules for all temples : Dress properly (knees and shoulders should be covered) Take off your shoes when entering the buildings Be quiet Don't hug or kiss Don't point your feet to Buddha's image Don't smoke
8. Wat Phra That Chom Thong
9. Wat Phrachao Luang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
10. Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 939 reviews
Reviewed By DavidWGrant - Dallas, United States
The Blue temple is a marvel, and as it is designed by the same fellow who did the horrible White Temple, it is living proof that even a blind pig finds a truffle once in a while. And a truffle it is! This should be your first stop in Chiang Rai! The main hall is truly beautiful, and holds up even to the almost-too-fanciful renderings of Naga and other creatures outside. The interior colors against the white Buddha are spot on. The floral decorations are excellent, the ceiling painting is very good, the shutters are amazing, and the scale of it all is small and beckoning. It made me feel glad to be alive (well, that was probably because I was with my wife, but she loved it too!). This temple is a must for immediate-post-sunset viewing, as the blue colors deepen, and the white Buddha inside comes alive under the lights as twilight deepens. The opportunities for captured moments in ones camera are legion. Even the statuary out back is splendid of an evening. They ended up shooing us out well into the evening. I think most people would want to just stay here as we did! Go and see...it is truly worth a few hours.
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