Is Chiang Rai worth the trip? This was a common question I heard when I was based in Chiang Mai for a week to enjoy the best fresh coffee at the various coffee shops.
Chiang Rai is a city northeast of Chiang Mai, covering approximately 23 square miles (or 60 square km). Many travellers skip this city because they think “there is nothing to do.”
However, I beg to differ.
I spent 24 hours in Chiang Rai, and it was a very rushed day. I was unable to truly enjoy the charm Chiang Rai has to offer.
So, is Chiang Rai worth the trip? Most definitely, yes!
The White Temple, frequently visited by locals and tourists alike
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Why is Chiang Rai worth the trip?
Here are my top 3 reasons why Chiang Rai is worth the trip.
- A unique blend of local culture and modern artistic design
Thailand is known for its many temples, carrying deep Buddhist symbolism. However, the unique architecture at the White Temple and Blue Temple is beyond my expectations and what I have seen before!
The temple’s designs are a masterpiece. Each design tells the story about the temple and community.
The intricate designs at the White Temple, admired by a group of tourists. The temple was best enjoyed when crowd-free
- Easy accessibility to nature
Chiang Rai’s setting, nestled among mountains and lush greenery, makes it easily accessible to nature.
There is a beautiful tea plantation located an hour’s drive from Chiang Rai. The serene environment was a great pitstop for my friend and me to enjoy a scoop of green tea ice cream in the scorching sun.
The journey to the tea plantation is scenic and Instagram-worthy.
- Less touristic but well-developed
Travelling to less touristic areas may be a deterrent to some travellers as some are afraid of potential communication barriers.
While Chiang Rai is less travelled by many, most shop owners speak English fluently. I had a great conversation with one of the locals selling food at the night market, and I was amazed at the exchange we had.
The spacious dining area at Chiang Rai Night Market. No headache to find a place to seat to enjoy your food!
Top 7 Things That Make Chiang Rai Worth The Trip
- The White Temple
The White Temple, also known as Wat Rong Khun, is a well-known attraction in Chiang Rai. The temple’s architecture is stunning and worth the trip.
The White Temple is 13km (8.1 miles) south of the city centre. Grab bikes are easy to get and are at a reasonable price.
I was amazed at the intricate design at every corner of the White Temple. The White Temple is a regular-sized temple. With the significant amount of details in the design, the construction has been a work in progress since construction began in 1997.
Allocate 1 to 2 hours to explore and admire the various sections of the temple. The White Temple is designed with many tiny mirrors that shimmer in the sunlight.
As I crossed the bridge and walked towards the temple, there were many “stretched-out hands”. These hands represented unrestrained desire, greed and human suffering.
Observed the “stretched hands” as I crossed the bridge at the White Temple
There is an admission fee of 100 THB (USD 3) for foreign tourists. It is slightly pricey, but it is worth the ticket price. Similar to other temples’ etiquette, dress conservatively.
Tip for you: Arrive at opening hours in the morning. You will thank me later.
The crowd gets insane towards the day as tour buses arrive. Unless you don’t mind the crowd, I would not recommend you to visit in the afternoon to avoid having a less pleasant experience.
Additionally, the morning sunlight is soft and less harsh, enabling you to capture the prettiest photos.
Another tip for you: Ensure you wear modest clothes as you will not be allowed in the temple.
- Blue Temple
The Blue Temple is also known as Wat Rong Suea Ten. The contrasting sapphire-blue walls with gold accents set it apart from traditional Thai Buddhist temples.
The Blue Temple is 3.5 km (2.2 miles) north of the city centre. Grab bikes are easily available, so there is no good reason to give this uniquely designed temple a miss.
Allocate 30 minutes to 1 hour to admire the unique design and see local Thai praying. Tourists with the appropriate attire are allowed into the temple to take photos. The admission fee is free.
During my visit to the Blue Temple, I saw some monks observing their daily rituals.
Tip for you: Visit the Blue Temple after the White Temple. The Blue Temple is less crowded compared to the White Temple.
Monks walking along the Blue Temple
- Choui Fong Tea Plantation
Choui Fong is a leading tea producer on top of a hill in Mae Chan district in Chiang Rai.
The road to the tea plantation is beautiful, as you will pass through the tea plantations. Depending on the time of the day and season, you may see local farmers harvesting the tea leaves.
The beautiful tea plantation, seen from the teahouse at Choui Fong Tea Plantation
Choui Fong Tea Plantation is located 40km (25 miles) north of the city centre. It is approximately 60 minutes by scooter, and the road is well-paved.
I enjoyed a cup of green tea soft serve at the on-site cafe with a panoramic view of the tea plantation. I enjoyed the freshness and the umami taste of the soft-serve ice cream. There were many other desserts which I didn’t get to try, as I was still full from a fantastic local lunch!
At Choui Fong Tea Plantation, take the opportunity to tour the tea plantation and learn about tea cultivation. Given the time constraint, my friend and I had to give this opportunity a miss.
Tip for you: drop by a local restaurant along the way to have an authentic, budget-friendly Thai lunch. Then, enjoy the best tea-based dessert at the on-site restaurant at the tea plantation.
The delicious-looking green tea cakes, prepared by the teahouse for a local tour group
- Doi Chaang Coffee Village Visit
A visit to a family-run coffee farm tucked in the mountains of Chiang Rai province, producing speciality coffee, is a unique experience, especially for coffee enthusiasts. You can witness the coffee processing method before you.
Doi Chaang Coffee Village was started by a local farmer, leveraging fertile mountain soil that gives the coffee beans a nutty and dark chocolate flavour. This had also provided the Akha hill tribe farmers of Northern Thailand with job opportunities.
As my friend and I had booked our bus ticket to Chiang Mai the following day, I regrettably missed this unique experience. Travellers whom I met shared that they had a unique experience at the coffee village.
Speaking to my hostel staff, I also learnt that this coffee village is very inspiring. Through a royal initiative, the village had transitioned from opium production to coffee cultivation.
The cafe at the coffee village, captured by Google
- Big Buddha at Wat Huay Pla Kang
The Big Buddha at Wat Huay Pla Kang is beautiful. After climbing the many steps, I was in awe of the size of Big Buddha. Many monks were carrying out their respective prayers.
The panoramic view from the top of the flight of stairs is beautiful and worth the climb.
Tip for you: recommend planning your visit towards the end of the day to avoid exposure to direct strong sunlight. While the view is beautiful, there is no shaded walkway.
Big Budda at Wat Huay Pla Kang at sunset
- Sunset at Kok River
This is a hidden gem that my friend and I found to witness the beautiful sunset of the day. It was calm and peaceful with close to no visitors.
The river water at Kok River was crystal clear. My friend and I enjoyed a pleasant stroll along the riverbank towards Commemoration Public Park, exchanging our solo travel experiences in different parts of the world.
Here is the location for the best sunset view: Chiang Rai River Beach
The calm environment gave a great ambience to our conversation, which also served as a great reminder of our blessings.
Tip for you: drop by 7-Eleven to purchase snacks and drinks to enjoy while chatting at the riverside
Sunset stroll along Kok River
- Chiang Rai Night Market
Having visited a majority of the night markets in Thailand, Chiang Rai Night Market stands out from the rest. There are a handful of stalls selling Northern Thai food cuisine, which I could only find in Chiang Rai.
The one unique and interesting food is called black sticky rice pancake. It is made from black glutinous rice, which is soaked, steamed and pressed into flat, round pancakes.
A local Thai selling the grilled black sesame pancakes at Chiang Rai Night Market
Then, they are grilled over charcoal, which gives these pancakes a nice chewy, smoky texture. Request for your sticky rice pancake to be grilled slightly longer for a smokier taste and crispier crust.
At Chiang Rai Night Market, there are many traditional music and dance performances in an open-air courtyard. Here, there are many available seating areas to enjoy your purchased food from the night market.
Chiang Rai Night Market was not as crowded, but the best variety of things you can find
Who is Chiang Rai worth the trip for?
The various activities to do in Chiang Rai cater to various groups of individuals.
Most of the travellers whom I met in Chiang Rai were either heading towards Chiang Khiong to catch the slow boat to Laos or travelling to Chiang Mai after enjoying the 2-day slow boat on the Mekong River.
In my humble opinion, I highly recommend you to visit if you:
- Enjoy modern architecture to a traditional temple
- Want to experience a slower-paced city
- Are wanting an authentic Northern Thai experience
- En route to / from the Laos border
Chiang Rai has been on my travel bucket list for a long time. I wanted to see the White and Blue Temple very badly and experience Northern Thai culture.
Chiang Rai just before everyone wakes up in the morning.
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How to get to Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai province is located in Northeast Thailand. There are multiple ways to visit Chiang Rai.
- Flight
There is an international airport in Chiang Rai. It is located 8km from the city.
If you are flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, AirAsia has just launched a new route bringing you directly to Chiang Rai. Opting for this route will allow you to start your travels in the northernmost area of Thailand.
Alternatively, there are many connecting flights through Bangkok.
- Bus
Buses in Thailand have comfortable seats. The bus station in Chiang Rai is located in the city centre.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
There are many buses between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The bus journey is roughly 4 hours, depending on traffic.
The bus departs Chiang Mai at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal 3 and arrives in Chiang Rai at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 (in the city centre).
There are multiple bus stations at Chiang Mai. However, all buses to Chiang Rai depart from Terminal 3.
There are two options to consider – a private bus company or local buses.
Chiang Rai Bus Station in the city centre is well organised, making it easy to navigate
Option 1: private bus company
Buses are operated by GreenBus Thailand. The buses are air-conditioned. Express Class tickets start from 290 THB (USD 8.70) and VIP tickets start from 400 THB (USD 12).
Tip for you: plan to purchase the bus ticket a day ahead of your planned date. The bus tickets sell out quickly!
Option 2: local buses
These local buses are fan-operated with open windows, giving you a local experience. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter at the bus station for 165 THB (USD 5).
This is a great option if you are:
- Unable to get an express bus ticket to
- Keen to have a local bus experience
- Looking for a budget-friendly option
- Comfortable travelling on a bus without air conditioning
Chiang Kiong to Chiang Rai
For this travel route, only local buses with fans and open windows are available.
The journey from Chiang Kiong to Chiang Rai is approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic. Bus tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter for 65 THB (USD 2). Bus services are available from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
I have had multiple experiences travelling on local Thai buses due to convenience and for the experience. The buses that I boarded were reasonably comfortable for a 2-hour journey.
- Private minivan
Minivans are available and can be arranged through a travel agent in the city centre. Prices are comparable to taking the bus.
How did I travel to Chiang Rai?
I arrived in Chiang Rai from Chiang Kiong after a 2-day slow boat journey on the Mekong River in Laos.
The slow boat from Laos arrived at Chiang Kiong at 7:00 PM. I met 9 other travellers intending to travel to Chiang Rai on the same evening. Therefore, I opted to take the private minivan to Chiang Rai to be able to spend more time in Chiang Rai.
Local bus services are not available. The cost for a 10-person minivan is 3000 THB (USD 90), resulting in 300 THB per person (USD 9).
Just before entering the Blue Temple
How long do you spend in Chiang Rai?
For a wholesome experience, I recommend spending 2 full days in Chiang Rai.
This gives you the opportunity to explore both the tea plantation and coffee village, which are unique experiences in Northern Thailand.
So, is Chiang Rai worth the trip?
Absolutely.
The unique architecture and local Northern Thailand experience make Chiang Rai worth the trip.
Although Chiang Rai is a city that I pass through when travelling from Chiang Kiong to Chiang Mai, I intentionally spend some time in Chiang Rai to experience the local atmosphere.
To date, my regret is not spending more time in Chiang Rai – to linger a little longer, explore a little deeper and savour what Chiang Rai has to offer.