Chiang Rai is one of my favourite areas of Thailand, because it’s hard not to be amazed by the ornate temples scattered throughout the city or the nature surrounding the area and there’s an incredible calm in this place, making you feel at ease right away. The laid back atmosphere is a welcome change from the chaos of Bangkok and Phuket.
In this Chiang Rai itinerary I will share everything you need to know to plan a short trip, including how to get there, how to get around Chiang Rai, the best things to do and see and cafeterias. Most people spend here only one day, including us, but I would easily stayed a few days more. So, let’s dive in and discover how to spend an epic day in Chiang Rai!
Getting around Chiang Rai
Most of the main sightseeing spots are out of town so to visit them you can either book onto a tour, hire a tuk tuk, or call a Grab taxi (a bit like Uber). Grab is very used among tourist and locals and the fares are really cheap. We moved around only by Grab and our experience was good.
How many days in Chiang Rai?
We stayed one day and a half, but I think three full days would be better to visit all the beautiful temples and around Chiang Rai. There is so much to do and see, so many unique cafeterias, temples and let´s do not forget the amazing nature surrounding Chiang Rai, where you can hike, have a nice picnic, you can even hire a professional photoshoot.
When to visit
Similar to most of Thailand, high season spans November through February when temperatures are not very high and rainfall is minimal. But I think any time of the year is good, we’ve been there in September and in our 2 days in Chiang Rai it rained only a little bit in the first day.
- NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY – High season, best weather, most visitors, peak prices
- JUNE TO OCTOBER – Monsoon season, wettest months to visit, less visitors, lower prices
- MARCH TO MAY – Shoulder season, hottest time of the year
WHITE TEMPLE
This is one of the most famous Chiang Rai attractions, so get ready for the crowds. There is a trick though, if you want to catch less people and enjoy the beauty of the temple without crowds. If you come here at the first hour in the morning, or last hour before it close, you can have the place to yourself.
If you are wondering why is the place so visited you’ll understand better when you’ll see it with your own eyes. With its unique white architecture and decorations it’s completely different from all other temples we saw while in Thailand. The temple is fabulous in photos, but when you are there you can feel the positive vibe of the place.
entrance fee and opening hours
The opening hours are between 8 AM–5 PM. Entrance fee is 50 THB and gives you access not only to the White Temple, but also to the surrounding temples. Around the White Temple you will find a golden temple, numerous statues and houses. Here, you can easily spend a few hours just wandering around the various temple.
BLUE TEMPLE
After the White Temple, the second most famous attraction in Chiang Rai is Wat Rong Suea Ten, also known as the Blue Temple. This is another astonishing and special site. Similarly to the White Temple this one is also unique in its architecture, decorations and colour, making it stand out from all other temples in Thailand.
The name of the temple, Wat Rong Seua Ten, means “the House of the Dancing Tiger”. Many years ago, the region where the temple is situated was home to tigers but that’s not the case anymore so nothing to worry about. The blue color of the temple symbolizes tranquility, ascension, the infinite, purity, and healing in Buddhism. The temple also has lots of golden details which really makes it stand out.
To enter the Blue Temple in Chiang Rai, you’ll have to pass by the pair of naga serpents that guard the stairs leading to the entrance. In Buddhism, naga are semi divine deities that can occasionally take human form. It’s truly another unique place to visit. Inside of the temple, you will find a huge statue of a White Buddha in sitting position surrounded by contemporary Buddhist art in a modern style.
entrance fee and opening hours
The Blue Temple it can be visited everyday between 7 AM–8 PM and there is no entrance fee.
If you walk a few meters from the main entrance, in the back there is another temple, beautiful like the first one. Here you’ll find a tall, white Buddha statue that symbolizes calmness and wisdom. There are also a few interesting statues and the back entrance is pretty unique too.
WAT HUAY PLA KANG, THE DRAGON TEMPLE
This temple is visible from afar and that’s because of the large white statue representing the goddess of Mercy, often confused with Buddha. Wat Huay Pla Kung is a wonderful place to visit because of its impressive staircase with huge dragon heads leading up to the statue. It’s famous for it’s unique blend of Thai and Chinese architecture.
This is a very famous spot too in Chiang Rai, usually overcrowded, yet when we’ve been there it was nobody and we visited in the afternoon. Well, lucky us.
Depending on the time of year, this is the epic sunrise spot. There is a 40 THB fee if you want to go inside the statue, but none for admiring the statue and temples from outside. It doesn’t officially open until 7AM anyway so if you go for sunrise it will still be closed.
There are another two temples close to the big one, very beautiful too. This one is only 5 minutes walk from the main temple. From this one you can see the goddess of Mercy shining in the backdrop. It looks very similar with the White Temple.
This temple is not like many other temples in Chiang Rai. Most temple in Chiang Rai may be decorated with Lanna style along with Thai traditional style, or something similar. But, The temple is decorated in Lanna Chinese style. Now that is interesting. You know that Chinese art is glorious and quite colorful. Therefore if it is with Lanna style, everything will be absolutely stunning.
The third building is the most colourful one, it has 9 stories tall pagoda in hues of gold, green and red. Moreover, there are Chinese dragons at the entrance. Furthermore it’s possible to walk the stairs all the way to the top from where you can enjoy great views.
The carved sandalwood statues are decorating each floor of the inside of the pagoda, including Buddhas and Chinese divinities. The centre hall is dominated by a massive statue of Guan Yin, reaching all the way to the second story. Personally, I find this one is very impressive.
LALITTA CAFE
Lalitta cafe is a hidden gem not far from Huai Pla Kang temple. It is a small sanctuary that will make you feel like you entered a paradise or some mystical forests. The whole place is full of charm, with mystical fog, flowers and vibrant fauna making it look like out of a storybook. There is even a huge waterfall! Great thing is that entry fee can be used as a credit when you buy a coffee or food. The place also inspired my outfit, I must admit that I felt like a fairy in here.
entering fee and opening hours
Price: 60 TBH adult & 40 TBH children and it can be used as a credit in restaurant. Opening hours: 8AM–8PM.
pro tips
- TEMPLE DRESS CODE – Dress appropriately for the temples in Chiang Rai. Most require both men and women to cover their legs to below the knees, as well as shoulders, I bought a scarf from a local store, which now I have it as a souvenir, reminding me of the beautiful moments I lived in Chiang Rai.
- CURRENCY – The Thai Baht is the currency of Thailand. While a lot of places accept credit card, it’s important to have cash for restaurants, tuk tuks, souvenirs, etc.
Madeleine 𓇼 