If there’s one region we had heard so much about but hadn’t had the chance to visit during our world tour, it’s northern Thailand. Many travelers had told us about Pai, Chiang Mai (the digital nomad hub), and Chiang Rai. We were also advised to explore this region by motorbike or go trekking and stay with locals.
But this time, we only had 3 days available before a conference in Bangkok, so we had to make some choices. To be honest, we didn’t hesitate long: we headed to Chiang Rai! We saw the famous White Temple on other Thailand travel blogs, which caught our attention! On the program for this post-RTW trip vacation circuit: breathtaking temples, tea plantations near Myanmar, the flowering gardens of the royal villa, and tandem bike rides! Let’s dive into our 3-day visit to Chiang Rai!
We made this trip to Chiang Rai in 2015, but the article has been completely revised and updated in May 2025. If you notice any price changes or have additional information that might be relevant, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment!
How to get to Chiang Rai?
To get to Chiang Rai, the most common and cheapest way is obviously by bus. You’ll have no problem finding a bus from Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
From Bangkok, expect a journey of at least 12 hours for about 700 baht. Check the schedules online. By plane, it’s a bit more expensive, around 1,100 baht per person for a domestic flight lasting 1.5 hours.
From Chiang Mai, buses depart daily from 7 a.m. from Terminal 3. The most popular bus company for this route is GreenBus. You can also take a minibus. All in all, expect a good 3.5 hours on the road with tickets costing between 300 and 800 baht each. Domestic flights also connect these two northern Thai cities, but given the prices, we don’t recommend this mode of transportation.
Where to stay?
During our 4 days, we stayed at the Homey Dormy hotel, which we really loved! A great establishment, staff who always tried to help us, free bikes… It was actually through this hotel that we rented our car with a driver for the Black House-Mae Salong-Doi Tung loop around Chiang Rai. In short, we highly recommend it!
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Day 1: Discovering Chiang Rai
To be honest, we weren’t expecting much from the city of Chiang Rai itself. We had planned to spend 3-4 nights there to explore the surroundings during the day. After a long journey from Switzerland and a good night’s sleep, we preferred to set out to discover Chiang Rai on foot, rather than immediately exploring the region. Plus, it was an opportunity to gather some information for the days ahead.
Visit to the tourist office
It’s not always easy to get good information through hotels or travel agencies. They all claim to have the best city tour! So when we saw that there was an official tourist office, we immediately visited it.
We were surprised to be received by two ladies speaking acceptable English who gave us several well-designed brochures in English. Thanks to this information, we were able to organize our days of visiting without any problem. We highly recommend a quick stop by their office!
Visit to Wat Phra Kaew (Wat Phra Kaeo) Temple
You certainly know the most sacred Buddha in Thailand? You know, the emerald one in the royal palace in Bangkok that changes clothes three times a year! Well, it was reportedly found in Chiang Rai in 1444 after lightning struck the temple to reveal the Buddha. I can’t tell you if this story is true, but the Wat Phra Kaew temple houses a replica of the original. Entry is free, as is the Hongluang Saengkaew Museum located next door.
Among the other notable temples in the center of Chiang Rai, we also recommend Wat Sri Kerd, Wat Jed Yot, Wat Phra Singha, and Wat Chiang Yuen (the Red Temple) if you have time.
Visit to the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
About 2 km from the center of Chiang Rai is a temple decidedly different from any you’ll see in Thailand. Like the White Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten is monochrome, and blue is the dominant color! This temple is simply superb, just look at it. Entry is free, unlike the White Temple ;). To get to the Blue Temple, you can walk along the small roads, which have sidewalks unlike the main roads (map out your route with Maps), or take a tuk-tuk (don’t forget to negotiate!).
Shopping at Central Plaza Mall
Located south of Chiang Rai, Central Plaza Mall is the place to go if you want brand-name items. Since we had room to bring back a few things, we admit we indulged a little. Converse sneakers for $25 and Osprey backpacks for $50-60! Brands are considerably cheaper here than back home. So, if you need to buy specific items, it can be worth making a quick stop at this shopping sanctuary!
Clock Tower Light Show
Not far from the Night Bazaar, catch a small sound and light show at the iconic clock tower. It takes place every evening at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. If you skip the evening show, at least stop by during the day for a look—it’s not every day you see a clock tower like this!
Evening at the Night Bazaar
Be careful not to confuse it with the night market in town! The latter only takes place on weekends, while the Night Bazaar happens every evening. Since we were in Chiang Rai during the week, we only went to the Night Bazaar, and this market is really worth the detour! First, the merchants didn’t jump on us as soon as we stopped to look at an item, something rare enough to note in Thailand! Plus, there are two very nice squares with live entertainment and great food stalls. By the way, we recommend the square furthest from the market entrance. There, you’ll find more choice in local food, and at very low prices!
If you prefer to have a guide with you for discovering Chiang Rai and its surroundings, we recommend this guided bike tour or this walking tour. For a complete tour of the region, we recommend this excursion. You’ll visit the essentials of Chiang Rai and everything is included in the price (transportation, tickets, meals, and a guide).
Day 2: Bike tour and visit to the famous White Temple
For this second day, we decided to follow the route we found at the tourist office the day before. Here’s the bike tour map; the complete loop is just under 40 kilometers on flat terrain, except for the climb to reach Singha Park.
Bike rental
Ever since we had seen photos of the White Temple, we dreamed of being able to admire this marvel by Thai artist Chalermchai with our own eyes. Since it’s located 13 km south of Chiang Rai, we thought going by bike would let us discover the surroundings. Fortunately, our hotel provided bikes for free! But when we went to get these famous steeds, we realized that our awesome hotel also had a tandem bike!
To rent a motorbike, you’ll find plenty of rental agencies on Jetyod Road, the street heading south from the clock tower. Expect to pay 250 baht per day. To rent a bike, check if your hotel offers them for free or for a few baht.
Imagine the scene: the sparkle in my eyes and already the fear in Fabienne’s… Without hesitation, I inflated the tandem’s tires, and off we went for a day of exploration, much to Fabienne’s dismay! In my defense, it was a first for us, and we had once met a couple who were touring the world on a tandem bike. Anyway, I had been dreaming of trying it!
The advantage of the tandem is that it’s not very common in northern Thailand. As a result, simply riding on the small roads around Chiang Rai with this vehicle attracted everyone’s sympathy! We’ve never received so many smiles, greetings, and laughs as during that day! Just for that, the tandem is worth it. And Fabienne will tell you, it’s actually pretty good! She found some significant advantages to the tandem that she illustrates so well here:
Singha Park in Chiang Rai
On the way to the White Temple, we made a small detour to Singha Park. At the entrance, a giant Singha statue has been erected. Strange for a beer brand! We actually spent some time taking silly photos in front of the statue.
We advise you to venture a bit further into the park; there’s a pretty lake surrounded by tea plantations! On a small hill, the Bhu Bhirom restaurant offers excellent Thai cuisine with northern specialties. Plus, the view of the lake is magnificent. Honestly, we recommend it even if the dishes are a bit expensive. In addition to being a large green space, activities are offered such as climbing and zip-lining. You can also take the Singha Park Farm Tour aboard a shuttle for 150 baht per person.
In fact, the ideal is to have your own bikes from Chiang Rai; this way, you can explore the park at your leisure. Otherwise, they rent them on site (150 baht per adult for 1 hour), as well as electric scooters (300 baht per person for 2 hours) and golf carts (600 baht for 4 people). But we agree, the prices are quite high…
The White Temple or Wat Rong Khun
We then continued toward Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple, still on our faithful steed. A few kilometers further, our goal for the day is reached, and there, it’s a visual feast, my friends! This famous white temple, designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, is straight out of another world!
On one hand, we feel like we’re in hell with suspended heads, skulls, and hands coming out of the ground as if asking for help. On the other hand, after crossing the bridge to enter the temple, we feel like we’re in a sacred place! However, the mural inside the temple is very modern with a curious mix of Buddhas and pop culture figures like Batman, Yoda, or Matrix characters. The combination is quite disconcerting but very successful! It’s clearly one of the most beautiful temples we’ve had the chance to see so far. It’s really a must-see in Chiang Rai, in our opinion!
After going around the temple twice, we get back in the saddle to complete our loop before nightfall. We’ll need another good hour to return to the hotel. One thing is certain: we loved the tandem and will certainly repeat the experience! Wait until I convince Fabienne to buy one for rides in Europe 😉.
- Opening hours: The White Temple is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plan to go in late morning or afternoon for a more peaceful visit.
- How to get to the White Temple: Wat Rong Khun is located 13 km southwest of Chiang Rai. Like us, you can get there by bike (see the map at the beginning of the second day), by scooter, or take a tuk-tuk that will wait for you at the end of your visit. In the latter case, negotiate to pay about 300 baht round-trip. Last option: the songthaew from the Chiang Rai bus station, convenient if you’re in a group.
- Price: Entry costs 100 baht per person.
- Guided tour: For more information about the White Temple, we recommend this guided tour. You’ll be accompanied from your hotel to spend the day at Chiang Rai’s must-see monuments. This package includes transportation, a guide, entrance tickets, and lunch.
Day 3: Visiting the Black House, Doi Mae Salong, and Doi Tung
For this day of visiting, we treated ourselves to a car with a driver as our means of transportation. It’s possible to take the bus; it’s less simple, but it can be done ;).
The Black House or Baan Dam Museum
After the White Temple, we were strongly advised to visit the Black House (or Baan Dam) created by artist Thawan Duchanee. Believe us, we didn’t think we’d see something crazier than the White Temple in Chiang Rai. Well, we were heavily mistaken!
How to describe the Black House in a few words? Macabre, gloomy, brilliant, and captivating are the adjectives that immediately come to mind. As soon as we arrived, the imposing black building already made quite an impression! We enter to discover a curious mix of the artist’s paintings hung here and there, amid a hodgepodge of skeletons, animal skins, and other curiosities! It’s very strange but impressive.
And that’s just the beginning! Coming out into the garden, we discover that there are still a good dozen other constructions. Smaller than the main building, they are all more interesting than the last. There are kinds of small traditional Thai houses filled with bones, a sort of white dome whose interior resembles a satanic meeting room, or even a building shaped like an animal that must have been a torture chamber…
In short, we don’t exactly want to know what Thawan Duchanee was doing in his lair! The fact remains that this museum is an offbeat and super interesting place to visit. So, if you’re in the area, don’t miss this marvel!
- Opening hours: The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- How to get to the Black House by public transport: To get to the Black House, located about 10 km north of Chiang Rai, go to bus terminal No. 1 next to the Night Bazaar and ask the information desk which bus goes to the Baan Dam Museum. A ticket costs about 20 baht per person. Once it drops you off, you just have to walk 500 m to the Black House.
- Price: The entrance fee is 80 baht.
Doi Mae Salong and its tea plantations
We also came to northern Thailand for its natural side, its mountains (admittedly small compared to Switzerland), its flowers… Rather than doing a 1-day or longer trek to meet the ethnic groups of the region and their way of life (we already did that in Sapa, Vietnam), we chose to explore the village of Mae Salong. The mountainous landscapes are truly splendid, and we made several stops to appreciate the view and take some photos.
For a bit of history, know that northern Thailand, particularly the Golden Triangle located on the border with Laos and Burma, was a major center for opium production. Well, OK, it still is a bit… But the Thai government has become much stricter on this subject. Result: they tend to grow tea in the area instead!
After a short hour’s drive, we arrive in the middle of the Mae Salong tea plantations. We take the opportunity to have a tasting at the 101 tea plantation, eat at the restaurant with a view, and visit the Chedi Phra That Chedi Srinagarindra Stit Maha Santi Khiri temple overlooking the village. It’s then time to hit the road for the last destination of the day: Doi Tung.
- Opening hours: The 101 plantation is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- How to get to Mae Salong: Minibuses depart every 20 minutes from the bus terminal, they charge about 50 baht per person.
- Price: Tasting different teas is free.
The royal villa and its gardens at Doi Tung
Doi Tung is actually the name of a mountain near the Burmese border, which was dedicated to poppy cultivation for opium production until the mid-1980s. At the time, the tribes in the region burned the land to cultivate poppy, which destroyed the forest. It’s a bit like in Indonesia currently with palm trees…
The mother of the former King of Thailand Rama IX, Somdej Phra Srinagarindra, became aware of the problems caused by deforestation (landslides, floods…) and opium (many men in the northern populations were dependent on it). She decided to launch a development project to reforest the region by encouraging the tribes to plant and cultivate something other than opium.
25 years later, it’s clear that it has paid off! The forest is back, the quality of life of the local tribes has increased significantly (goodbye opium junkies who destroyed their families), and the queen mother even built her summer villa there. We also learned that the royal family had lived in Switzerland for a long time 😎. At the same time, her villa is a clever mix between a Thai house and an Alpine chalet!
You can explore the superb botanical gardens (Mae Fah Luang Garden), as well as the greenhouses where different trees are grown before being replanted in nature. We also visited the queen’s villa with an audio guide that tells us more about her identity as a person. We then better understood why she was very appreciated by the different tribes of Thailand, who affectionately nicknamed her “the royal grandmother.”
Not only did we find the gardens sumptuous, but we also learned a lot about the queen and the current royal family of Thailand. In short, it’s worth taking a good afternoon to visit all of Doi Tung.
- Opening hours: The royal Villa is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- How to get to Doi Tung: Minibuses depart every 20 minutes from the bus terminal, they charge about 50 baht per person.
- Price: Entry is 200 baht per person. If you want to visit only the gardens, entry will cost 80 baht.
Other activities to do in the Chiang Rai region
To be honest, we really didn’t have time to visit everything around Chiang Rai. Here are some more ideas of things to discover if you have more time than we did.
Visit to Wat Huay Pla Kang Temple
This temple is not part of the itinerary as it’s a bit far from the city center. The peculiarity of Wat Huay Pla Kang is the giant all-white Buddha located within the temple grounds. For the record, you’ll see “Big Buddha” written everywhere, even though the statue represents Guan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion. You can climb inside the statue for 40 baht. Right next door, don’t miss the Phop Chok Dhamma Chedi, a pretty Chinese pagoda built on 9 floors. Entry is free.
Stroll in Wat Doi CEE Park
Wat Doi CEE is a pretty park away from the city center, perfect for escaping the urban fervor. The view is breathtaking over the Chiang Rai region, and you’ll share the space with animals in complete freedom (peacocks, deer…).
Watch the sunrise in Phu Chi Fa Forest Park
Phu Chi Fa Park is located a 2-hour drive east of Chiang Rai, on the border with Laos. It’s THE spot for an epic sunrise (particularly in winter, between November and February)! Well, it’s also a good spot for sunset, but it’s especially popular with Thais at dawn. Plus, the view of the Mekong and Laos is to die for! To reach the summit and the viewpoints, allow 30 minutes of walking. To get from Chiang Rai, given the state of the road, it’s best to take a car with a driver or rent a car if you’re comfortable driving in Thailand.
Discover Khun Korn Waterfall
Nam Tok Khun Korn is another forest park containing one of Thailand’s most beautiful waterfalls, Khun Korn. A small 3 km round-trip hike through bamboo brings you to the foot of the fall. Head 30 km south of the city to enjoy the park. Entry is free; allow a maximum of 1 hour on site.
Visit the Golden Triangle
As mentioned above, the Golden Triangle was a strategic place for opium trade. Today, the junction between Thailand, Laos, and Burma presents several tourist attractions:
- the viewpoint over the 2 neighboring countries;
- the opium museum to learn all about the region’s history;
- a boat ride on the Mekong River.
To get there, you can very well cover the 65 km that separate the park from Chiang Rai by scooter (the road is beautiful), take a driver, or take part in a guided tour.
Visit the village of Thaton
From Mae Salong, continue toward the Burmese border and particularly Thaton, a somewhat remote but authentic corner! The singular Wat Tha Ton monastery is worth the detour with its nine levels to visit, and plus it’s free!
Getting around Chiang Rai
The day we visited the Black House, Doi Mae Salong, and Doi Tung, we had taken a car with a driver just for us! For one day, we paid 1,500 baht for the car and driver and 500 baht for fuel.
The reason we had a driver is that the prices offered for a group tour were similar. Moreover, we wouldn’t have had time to do everything by motorbike. We did a good 180 km that day! Finally, this solution offered us maximum freedom; we stopped when we wanted for photos. If we had had more time, we would surely have rented a scooter. The roads are paved and in good condition. It’s quite manageable, especially if you’re used to riding two-wheelers.
Another way to discover the region is to take the bus! Head to the Chiang Rai bus station.
Chiang Rai Map
To summarize the points of interest, here’s a small map of Chiang Rai with our good addresses!
That’s it, friends! We hope this article has made you want to explore this region! After Chiang Rai, are you ready to visit Chiang Mai, the other must-see stop in northern Thailand 😉?
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