City: Chiang Rai Province
Top Things to do in Chiang Rai Province
Top Restaurants in Chiang Rai Province
What to do and see in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand: The Best Things to do
Chiang Rai (Thai: เชียงราย, pronounced [t͡ɕʰīaŋ.rāːj]; Lanna: ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩁᩣ᩠ᨿ, pronounced [tɕiaŋ.haːj] is the northernmost province of Thailand. It is bordered by the Shan State of Myanmar to the north, Bokeo Province of Laos to the east, Phayao to the south, Lampang to the southwest, and Chiang Mai to the west.
Restaurants in Chiang Rai Province
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 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
3. Wat Pra Dhat Pha-Ngao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By 977vernd - Chiang Saen, Thailand
4 km south,downstream of chiang saen city, the temple complex is three temples plus support buildings; there is a street level temple,classic thai temple style, then another templ e midway up the hill, can walk or drive, then at the hilltop is a pagoda burmese style temple; good views at the top ; nive view of the mekong river, upstream; this is the best temple complex in the area and is Not over commercialized; i would eat somewhere else tho; likely chiang saen city
4. 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
5. 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.
6. Pha Hi Village
7. House of Opium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,012 reviews
Located in the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, this museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the history of the opium trade and the dangers of addiction.
Reviewed By remembertoremember - Chiang Mai, Thailand
Crucial museum to bring awareness of the sordid history of Opium and narcotics. I went with a group of friends, some had direct experience with heroin addiction and were in recovery, and some had no idea the connection between opium, narcotics, medicinal uses and addiction. Ignorant? Maybe, that is why education is so crucial. This museum had beautiful art, excellent movies to watch, all kinds of displays to portray the complexity of the history of Narcotics. The final area was a meditation hall, with plaques with words of inspiration.
8. Tum Luang-Khun Naam Naang Norn Forest Park
9. Wat Phra That Doi Wao
10. The Thai - Burmese Border Gate
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By 674arlenes - Zihuatanejo, Mexico
We had been warned that it was difficult to cross back in to Thailand at this border crossing but had no problem at all. We did have to pay in baht rather than dollars to enter Myanmar but that was no problem.
