Chiang Rai
Southeast Asia · Thailand
Did you know?
- Annual events include a Lychee Fair and a Solar Fair.
- The landmark circuit pairs a White Temple, a Blue Temple and a Black House Museum.
- A day trip reaches Mae Salong, a former Kuomintang settlement.
See also
Mae Salong
Thailand20.17°N 99.63°E
Chiang Khong
Thailand20.27°N 100.40°E · 356 m
Huay Xai
Laos20.28°N 100.42°E · 398 m
Overview
Chiang Rai offers an approachable base for northern temples and borderland excursions. Its striking colour-themed landmarks contrast with hill-country trips beyond town.
Languages: Thai
Why go?
Chiang Rai is the capital of Chiang Rai Province in Northern Thailand. It is an excellent base for exploring the Golden Triangle border region of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. The city has a distinctly Northern character, with spicier food and a mixture of hill tribes and Burmese exiles. It offers a slower, more relaxed alternative to Chiang Mai.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Public transport consists mainly of tuk-tuks and songthaews, plus a smaller number of taxis. However, most of the city itself, even the Blue Temple, can be explored on foot.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from very cheap guesthouses to mid-range hotels. Dorm beds at Mercy Hostel are 250 baht. Private fan rooms at Boon Bun Dan Guest House cost 200-300 baht, and air-con rooms at Jansom House are 450 baht. Many places offer free Wi-Fi and are located near the night market.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Local specialties include khao soi (Shan-style chicken curry noodles, 40 baht) and nam ngiao (traditional noodle soup, 35 baht). The Night Bazaar has two food areas: Centrepoint with Western-Thai menu, and the actual food court with over 50 stalls. Popular restaurants include Khao Soi Phor Jai and Nam Ngiao Pa Suk. Street food is abundant and cheap.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Must-see temples include the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), Blue Temple (Wat Rhong Sua Ten), and Black House Museum (Baan Dam). Other attractions: Wat Phra Kaew, Hilltribe Museum, Clock Tower, and Doi Khao Kwai viewpoint. Outdoor activities: trekking, rock climbing at Boomerang Park, and visiting waterfalls like Namtok Khun Kon. The Lychee Fair and Solar Fair are annual events.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
A backpacker can get by on 500-800 baht per day. Dorm beds start at 250 baht, budget meals from 35 baht, and local transport per ride is minimal. Guesthouses with fan cost 200-300 baht. A songthaew ride is around 20 baht. Street food meals are typically 35-50 baht.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Popular day trips include Doi Tung (royal villas and temples, about 1,600 baht for car+driver), Phu Chi Fa (sunrise), Mae Sai (northernmost town), Mae Salong (former Kuomintang settlement), and the Golden Triangle (where Thailand, Myanmar, Laos meet). Further afield: Chiang Khong to cross into Laos, or head south to Chiang Mai.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is common in guesthouses, cafes, and hotels. SIM cards with data are available from Thai carriers (AIS, TrueMove, DTAC) at the airport or in town. Several water refill stations are available on Jet Yod Rd and other streets for filling your bottle.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
From Chiang Rai, head north to Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle, east to Chiang Khong to cross into Laos, or south to Chiang Mai. The city is a hub for exploring the wider region.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Cabbages and Condoms
Classy (if somewhat toned-down) Thai food in a chic setting, with condoms cropping up in all sorts of unexpected places. Profits go to support family planning and sex education in Thailand.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Chiang Rai Beach
During the day or the early evening is an excellent spot. There are around 20 cafes and restaurants overlooking the Mae Kok River. Bring your dictionary with you for there are no English menus to be found.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Crêpe corner (Boon Bun Dan Inn)
Inexpensive French crêpes & galettes (80-110 baht) and Thai food. Breakfast starts at 50 baht for muesli to 110 baht for American breakfast. Served by a lovely Thai lady.
Recorded price: 45-130 baht (May 2017)
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Doi Chang
A popular coffee shop that is usually packed. The owner has been steadily increasing his prices, but still the farang come. Their coffee is pretty famous in Thailand and they have a nice cross section of Western and Middle Eastern food.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
FIN: friends.family
A cute, modern cafe that serves great khao soi, herbal sodas, and Western breakfast fare, among other things.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Hungry Wolf's
Excellent authentic American food including pizzas (they have 25-inch pizzas), burgers, pastas, wings, salads, etc., which they also deliver. Have a large beer selection and draught beer. The owners are American and Australian.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Khao Soi Phor Jai
Famous for its khao soi (ข้าวซอย) (Shan-style chicken curry with noodles 40 baht, May 2017) and other northern dishes like special northern Thai sausage (25 baht) and nam phrik num (dip made of aubergine and peppers). No English sign or menu, but some English spoken.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Nakhon Pathom
Famous khao moo deng (rice with red sauteed pork, or as shown on the menu: rice with BBQ pork) tastes best at this big Chinese restaurant. Big cold coffee machines attract the locals to having lunch there.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Dorms from 250 baht, private fan rooms from 200 baht.
Budget
Daily backpacker budget around 500-800 baht.
Food
Local dishes: khao soi (40 baht), nam ngiao (35 baht); Night Bazaar food court has 50+ stalls.
Transport
Tuk-tuks and songthaews are the main public transport; city center is walkable.