Location: Chiang Rai
Top Things to do in Chiang Rai
Top Restaurants in Chiang Rai
What to do and see in Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai Province: The Best Things to do
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. 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.
3. 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
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. 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………………
6. 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!
7. 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.
8. 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
9. Clock Tower Chiang Rai
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,067 reviews
Reviewed By robcK9588IH - Hua Hin, Thailand
This stunning erection in the middle of the road is bound to cause a traffic jam with its awe in busy times.
10. Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,972 reviews
Reviewed By 105LaurieR - Chiang Rai, Thailand
Great place to eat! If you like hotpot ???? Many trinket vendors too, plus some good entertainment, musical artists and dance groups. Not as busy on Sunday night as Friday, about 1/3 of vendors closed on Sunday. Easier to get around than a lot of night markets.
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