Chiang Rai: how to get there, where to live, what to see. Chiang Rai - the northern capital of Thailand What to do and what to visit
Chiang Rai, Thailand- from a remote hill tribe town nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the mighty Mekong. Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 as part of the Lao-Thai Lanna Kingdom. It became a Siamese territory in 1786 and eventually one of the 77 provinces of modern Thailand in 1910.
The city of Chiang Rai brings back memories and exotic images. The mountain range in Chiang Rai is bordered on the west by Burma and Chiang Mai, and to the southeast is the famous Phu Chi Fa mountain and nature reserve. But otherwise the landscape in Chiang Rai Thailand is mostly flat and the land is agricultural.
The city of Chiang Rai in Thailand is bounded on the north by the Kok River and bordered on the east by Highway No. 1. The old city of Chiang Rai was built on the site of the ancient settlement of Lawa or Mon in the early 14th century. Today, little remains of the old city, but there are walls and a moat.
So, what is Chiang Rai, where is it located and what is there to do there? Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand. Tourists rarely get here and even less often on their own, because the main attraction here is the famous white lacy temple of heaven and hell ( white temple in Chiang Rai). And for the more curious, there is also the Black Temple and the village of the long-necked Karen tribes. A large number of the population of the hill tribes converted to Christianity, so in the city of Chiang Rai in Thailand you can see, in addition to Buddhist temples, also Christian churches, as well as Islamic mosques and Chinese temples.
The high western mountains, inhabited by numerous hill tribes, were, until recently, quite wild places. Today, these destinations are becoming more famous for travel, mainly due to the coffee and tea plantations, as well as the town of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, known as the site of the illegal trade of dubious Chinese goods, duty-free cigarettes and counterfeit Viagra. Many illegal drugs still pass through the Burmese border. So rural areas of Chiang Rai see more police on the roads than any other Northern province.
The city of Chiang Rai has a local population of approximately 200,000. It is a small and calm town, although there are also places for tourists: several restaurants serving international cuisine, a brand new shopping center with all the famous foreign brands, supermarkets and a cinema.
Chiang Rai (Thailand), basically an inconspicuous provincial town. Entertainment in Chiang Rai - pthe coastal area where the river descends into the town of Tha Ton in Northern Thailand. Another attraction is the night market. There are also plenty of decent and nice places to stop and eat in Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai Thailand is also a transport hub for the region due to its central location and airport.
Many ATMs can be found on Phaholyothinу street. The largest shopping center is Central Plaza Chiang Rai.Chiang Rai has several extraordinary places that are worth visiting. These are the Black Temple of Chiang Rai (Baan Dam), the famous White Temple of Wat Rong Khun in Thailand and Wat Huai Sai Khao. The White Temple in Chiang Rai is perhaps just his calling card. This place is definitely not to be missed in the city.
White Temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun)
The White Temple of Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun is without a doubt the most famous and most photographed temple in Chiang Rai province. It is also one of the most beautiful (and unconventional) temples in Thailand. The color of the white temple signifies purity. The temple was built according to the design of a local artist in 1997, who took 15 years to turn his idea into reality.
Inside the white temple in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun, you can find not only statues of Buddha, but also images of Superman, Batman and Neo from The Matrix. In general, the author’s very unconventional approach to creating the temple is obvious, who, by the way, believes that this project will give him immortality.
White Temple in Chiang Rai Wat Rong Khun is located 12 km south of Chiang Rai, near Pahonyothin Road. It is open daily from 6:30 am to 6 pm. Entrance to the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khunw, is free.
Doi Mae Salong Village and Mountain, Chiang Rai
There are several interesting villages in the mountainous northern part of Chiang Rai city. One of the most picturesque of them is Mae Salong, located 74 km northwest of Chiang Rai city. There is a special atmosphere there, and everything around is reminiscent of China, and by the way, most of the residents have Chinese roots and even speak Chinese to each other.
The view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking. Very atmospheric, quiet and peaceful place. There are few tourists, life seems to have stopped. There are also numerous scenic routes along tea and coffee plantations. You can just walk around these places and enjoy yourself away from the hustle and bustle. If you rent a motorbike, the trip will also be very exciting.
Black Temple of Chiang Rai Baan Dam
If there is a white temple in the city of Chiang Rai, Thailand, then there must be some kind of opposite. And there it is, too—the black temple in Chiang Rai—another highly ambitious project by another local artist. The temple illustrates the darkness in humanity. The entire temple is done in red and black colors and is decorated with skulls, skins and various other animal parts and creepy artwork.
The Black Temple of Chiang Rai (Baan Dam) is located approximately 10 km north of Chiang Rai off the Phahonyothin Highway leading to the Thai-Burmese border at Mae Sai. The temple is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. There is a visitor center, a gift shop, and a small cafe.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Phra Kaew
Of course, this is not the most popular temple among tourists in Chiang Rai. Everyone has heard about the white temple in the city of Chiang Rai (Thailand), but few have heard about Wat Phra Kaew. However, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, is one of the most significant cultural and religious sites in Chiang Rai province. This temple gained fame when it was struck by lightning in 1434. An emerald Buddha statue was found in the rubble. Since then the temple has been called that way. The statue itself was long ago taken to Bangkok, and a malachite copy of that same emerald Buddha remained in Chiang Rai.
It is still not known exactly where the Buddha statue came from in the temple. There is a version that it was created in India about 2000 years ago and brought to Sri Lanka, then to Cambodia and at the end of the 14th century it ended up in northern Thailand.
Chiang Rai Clock Tower
The clock tower traditionally marks the center of the province. In Chiang Rai, this clock tower is one of the best and most beautiful in all of Thailand.
Singha Park, Chiang Rai
The park is little known among tourists (yet). The main reason why most people would like to come here is the massive golden lion statue of Singh. A very picturesque place.
Why go to Chiang Rai in Thailand?
The path to the golden triangle on the border with Chiang Rai also runs through Chiang Rai. It is the junction of three rivers and historically (formerly) a drug-offshore zone. Selling drugs was prohibited and severely punished, so they came up with a way to circumvent the law, to exchange goods in the middle of the confluence of three rivers, during a decline in the water level, where a small island was formed for several people.
In fact, there is nothing beautiful or important in this triangle, a common lure for gullible tourists. Most often, it is under this program that tourists who travel to the north of Thailand buy themselves a one-day excursion from.
On your own in Chiang Rai Thailand those who want to carry out a visa run (extending their stay in Thailand by crossing the border and returning to the country one day for a new stamp) or desperate backpackers who want to visit Laos and are heading, as a rule, to.
Town Chiang Rai (Thailand) small, no different from others of its kind, quiet, but the influence of Laos, and therefore of France and America, is clearly felt here, and prices are 20-30% higher than Thai ones. There is little left of Thailand here, it feels like a completely different country and people, although it would seem like a hundred kilometers away…. In general, there is hardly any need to go here specifically, only if you intend to cross the border on your own and head to the wonderful, mysterious Laos.
That's all for now. Today I told about the city Chiang Rai in Thailand. This city is interesting in its own way; you can find a special charm and local flavor in it. And for tourists, this place is famous for the fact that the famous white temple in Chiang Rai, famous among independent travelers, is located here. The White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand can be seen in pictures of Thailand and also in the list of the most interesting places in Thailand.
Story
Chiang Rai is older than Chiang Mai and was founded in 1262 by King Mengrai (1239-1317), who used it as his residence. Previously, in this convenient place on the Kok River, a tributary of the Mekong, the Lava and Moi tribes settled for centuries. For many years the city was under Burmese rule and only in 1786 (four years after Bangkok became the capital) it became part of Thailand. Little is known about its previous history, but the further development of the city turned out to be closely connected with the history of Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen, located 60 km away.
How to get there
- By car:
from Lampang on national highway No. 1 (240 km), from Chiang Mai on highway No. 107 almost to Phang, then highway No. 109 and No. 1 (268 km). - By bus:
from Chiang Mai and Bangkok (from the Northern Bus Station) daily. - By plane:
from Bangkok and Chiang Mai up to six flights per day. - By train:
The nearest railway station is Chiang Mai (180 km).
What to see
Wat Phra Kaew Don Tau
It was in Chiang Rai that the famous Jade Buddha was found, which was kept for many years in the Phra Kaew Don Tau Temple (now in the Phra Kaew Temple in the Grand Palace, Bangkok). In 1434, one of the chedi wats of Phra Kaew Dontau was struck by lightning; As a result of restoration work, a nondescript plaster figurine was found. However, under the plaster, a 75-centimeter jade statue of Buddha was discovered, which attracted the attention of King Mengrai.
He certainly wanted to get the statue to his capital. However, it was decided to leave the decision to the elephant on whose back the precious burden was attached. At the decisive fork, the animal turned not to Chiang Mai, but to neighboring Lampang, where the Jade Buddha stood in the Phra That Lampang Luang wat until 1468, and from here it eventually ended up in Chiang Mai and in 1782, after further vicissitudes - to Bangkok. The Phra Kaew Don Tau Temple has particularly beautiful wooden facades with carvings and paintings. This temple complex, like the neighboring Wat Phra Sing, was built in the 15th century. Both sanctuaries were restored and rebuilt many times.
Wat Mung Mueang, Wat Chet Yot
Mung Mueang Temple has a beautiful carved pediment and several Buddha statues in the Chiang Sai style (XI-XVI centuries). Wat Chet Yot is distinguished by a gracefully proportioned vihan and a chedi with seven turrets on a rectangular base.
Neighborhoods of Chiang Rai
Malau Reservoir
The local population enjoys relaxing at the beautifully located Maelaw Reservoir (on National Highway No. 1 to the south, then on Highway No. 109 in the direction of Fang).
Maesai
Highway No. 110 north leads to Mae Sai (63 km), the northernmost point of Thailand (1010 km from Bangkok). This small border town with bustling markets used to lie on an important trade route to China. Here you can get a one-day visa to Myanmar using your passport as collateral.
Luang Cave
Luang Cave (Tham Luang) is the largest (5-10 m high) of four caves discovered several years ago south of Mae Sai. For the first kilometer you can simply walk along it, using the stairs and paths. The remaining six are best left to speleologists with special equipment.
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong is very popular among pilgrims; located at the foot of Thong Mountain (1330 m). At the beginning of March, tens of thousands of people flock here by car, bus, motorcycle and simply on foot. A 17 km long steep path leads to the temple, starting from Highway No. 110 near the village of Huai Krai. From the top there is a magnificent panorama of northern Thailand, for which alone it would be worth climbing here. The temple buildings themselves are of recent construction and are of no interest. Near the Burmese border in the town of Mae Chan, there is a training center (Mae Chan Community Station), where specialists teach mountaineers alternative occupations to opium production.
If you go further along the unpaved road behind the Community Station, you find yourself in Kosenchay, an Akha village. The wooden swing at the entrance to the village is used in fertility ceremonies. Large families live in huts on stilts with low-hanging roofs. Akhu dwellings are divided into male and female halves. Most hill tribes have their own language and animistic beliefs. All things seem to them to be under the control of spirits. Thus, in their opinion, evil spirits live in water, so the mountaineers try to avoid washing as much as possible.
Since 1976, the Thai government has been taking measures to assimilate the hill tribes, which, however, is moving very slowly. The Akha, living in the mountains around Chiang Rai, have retained their cultural identity to the greatest extent. They still practice traditional crafts. The government maintains several offices in Chiang Rai of the Thai Hillcraft Foundation, an institution that markets silverware, embroidery and textiles.
It is strictly not recommended to go to the mountain tribes without a guide who knows the language and the area. Language difficulties can lead to misunderstandings with unpleasant consequences. It goes without saying that unobtrusiveness is implied (especially when it comes to photography).
Chiang Rai is the capital of the northernmost province of Thailand. The distance from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is about 790 km, from Chiang Mai – 155 km. Chiang Rai, although a city, is not as big as Chiang Mai. Currently, about 136 thousand people live in Chiang Rai.
The city was founded a long time ago, in 1262 by the king of the Lanna kingdom on the Kok River. Then Chiang Rai belonged to Burma and only in 1786 it became a Thai city.
Nowadays many tourists come to Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai attracts them not only for its attractions, but also because very close to it is the so-called Golden Triangle, where the border of three countries passes - Thailand, Burma and Laos.
There are beautiful mountains and many natural attractions around Chiang Rai. Very close by is the royal villa and a magnificent flower garden. Not far from Chiang Rai there live several northern tribes, whose villages are very interesting to see. At a distance of about 60 km from Chiang Rai there is a Chinese village with tea plantations. The Opium Museum is located in the Golden Triangle, in the Chiang Saen district.
How to get to Chiang Rai
1. By plane. Chiang Rai has an airport located 8 km from the city. Flights arrive here from.
Several airlines operate flights:
AirAsia and NokAir fly from Bangkok's old airport, Don Mueang. Thai Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
If you are flying from Russia to Thailand, you will arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, so if you want to fly straight to Chiang Rai, it is better to choose Thai Airways flights. Otherwise, you will have to move from one airport to another, which will take quite a lot of time.
The best way to get from Chiang Rai airport to the city is by taxi (200-300 baht).
2. You can get to Chiang Rai by bus from Bangkok. Buses depart from the northern bus station in Bangkok MoChit. Travel time is 8-10 hours, cost 600-1000 baht (20-30 dollars), depending on which class of bus you choose: VIP, 1st class or 2nd class.
3. You can get to Chiang Rai by Green Bus from Chiang Mai. Travel time is about 3 hours. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance, at least a day in advance. There are many people who want to leave.
It should be noted that there are now two bus stations in Chiang Rai: New Bus Station or Terminal 2 and Old Bus Station or Terminal 1. Old Bus Station is located in the city center, next to the night market. Currently it serves only suburban destinations. Buses from Bangkok arrive at the new bus station. There is a minibus running between bus stations. Cost 60 baht (2 dollars).
4. You can get to Chiang Rai by water! On the boat from the town, a public boat leaves from Tha Thon at 12:30 and costs 350 baht ($12). Travel time is 3.5 – 4 hours.
There is no train station in Chiang Rai, so you cannot get to Chiang Rai by train.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai accommodation
There are many hotels and guesthouses in the city, but strangely enough, during the high season (November - February) it is quite difficult to find available accommodation!
You can live in the city itself (it is best to find a hotel near the night market) or stay in the vicinity of Chiang Rai, in the mountains and enjoy nature. During peak season, I advise you to book your accommodation in advance. I always book here: booking.com, if I can’t find anything here, then I look here: agoda.com.
We stayed in a small hotel called Baan Bua Guest House for 460 baht ($15). I booked my stay there very much in advance, the hotel was somehow popular, and all the rooms were occupied!
Green lawn in front of the house, quite a lot of space where you can park your car.
Regular room, fan, large bed, hot shower. 
We had breakfast right there, American breakfast for 150 baht per person. Delicious and filling!
What to see in Chiang Rai - attractions of Chiang Rai
In addition to many beautiful places around Chiang Rai, you can see several temples in the city itself
In the city itself there is a beautiful Golden Clock Tower (Clock Tower), every evening at 19:00 the music and lights turn on. But we didn’t catch this show.
I also recommend visiting Chiang Rai night market(Chiang Rai Night Bazar). Here he is even more colorful than. And prices for souvenirs are lower. Perhaps one of the best places in Thailand to buy souvenirs.
We were also attracted to the Chiang Rai night market by the fact that here you can eat deliciously and not expensively. There is a large food court here. There are tables, and around there are tents with a variety of food. 
There are a lot of people. Mostly locals or Thai tourists. There are very few foreigners. Locals come with their Thai rum, grab food, Coca-Cola and have dinner!
What's missing here! A lot of seafood, delicious fish, shrimp.
Seafood: squid, shrimp 
Delicious fish and something not clear :) 
And at the Chiang Rai night market, such pots are very popular - Hot Pot, in which you can cook soup. The cost of this soup is 70-100 baht (2-3 dollars) depending on the ingredients.
Hot Pot 
Ingredient for soup :) 
I wanted to take it, because I really love Thai soups, but then for some reason I chose fish 😎 
Dinner with beer at the Chiang Rai night market cost us 400 baht ($13).
When talking about Chiang Rai, it is impossible not to mention massage parlors. In general, when we were traveling to the North of Thailand, I imagined that every evening, before dinner, I would enjoy a Thai massage, which everyone praised so much in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. But that was not the case - we had such a busy program that there was simply no time left for a massage.
There are many massage parlors in Chiang Rai, so we had time before dinner and went for a long-awaited massage.
They took us to a room on the second floor and gave us these pajamas 😎 
Ready for a massage! 🙂 we thought it must be a super massage. But, unfortunately, the massage in Chiang Rai did not impress us. Although it was not expensive at all - 150 baht (5 dollars), and I got massages for 250-300 baht. Still, it all depends on the massage therapist, how lucky you are. And I’ll definitely tell you about the best massage in the North of Thailand.
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Chiang Rai is the main base for exploring Thailand's Golden Triangle. The city itself is incredibly charming - small, cozy, atmospheric, with magnificent ancient and original new temples and museums, plenty of good cheap housing, excellent restaurants and a colorful night market.
Allow at least 2 full days to explore Chiang Rai, plus a day to explore the Golden Triangle.
why go
Don't miss it in Chiang Rai
- Explore the city on foot, exploring the temples and museums of Chiang Rai.
- Rent a motorbike and explore Chiang Rai's new temples, including the iconic White Temple.
- Join a bike tour to ride through the countryside in search of small temples, villages and waterfalls.
- Take at least a day to explore Thailand's Golden Triangle.
- Try Thai food at Chiang Rai's night market and learn to cook Thai at local cooking classes.
Temples and museums of Chiang Rai
Among the city temples, two stand out - the ancient Buddhist temple Wat Phra Kaeo, which in difficult times for Siam was the home of the Emerald Buddha - the most sacred shrine of Thailand, later transported to Bangkok and Wat Phra Sing - an ancient temple in which the main Buddha statue was kept for a long time — Phra Buddha Sihing, which is now located in Chiang Mai. Both temples in Chiang Rai have copies.
Wat Phra Kaeo, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Poxxel, Flickr
Monks at Wat Phra Kaeo. Photo credit: Doris Bowling, Flickr
Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Stefan Fussan, Flickr
"White Temple" - Wat Rong Khun. Photo credit: Silp Satjawattanavimol, Flickr
To the northwest of Chiang Rai, 12-15 km from the city, not far from each other, there are two more interesting newly built temples - the colorful Wat Huay Sai Khao with original architecture and the “little brother” of the white Wat Huay Plakang 9 Tier Temple with a huge statue Buddha. You can only get to them by your own transport or tuk-tuk.
Wat Huay Sai Khao. Photo credit: gt-rider
“Little brother” of the white temple Wat Huay Plakang 9 Tier Temple. Photo credit: Apisak Kanjanapusit, Flickr
Chiang Rai Museums
The Baan dam museum is called either the Black Temple or the Black Houses. A large park area on which small rooms in the form of temples and chedis are built, inside there are art galleries with paintings, sculptures and various products made from bones and horns of animals. The purpose of this largely kitschy art exhibition is to illustrate the dark side of human nature, using traditional Asian elements crops
Baan dam Museum, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Steven Murray, Flickr
Art gallery inside the Baan dam museum. Photo credit: Duncan Taralrud-Bay, Flickr
Among the more positive and noteworthy art projects in Chiang Rai are the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, located 5 km from the city, and the Oub Kham City Museum, which contains ancient samples and products of different Asian cultures - from the Lanna kingdom to ancient Vietnamese and Chinese civilizations.
Mae Fah Luang Park. Photo credit: Duncan ursula_bkk, Flickr
Oub Kham Museum. Photo credit: thailandneo
Bike tours
The surroundings of Chiang Rai, unlike most of Northern Thailand, are flat with small hills, and cycling here is a pleasure. Cycling tours start away from city traffic, along charming rural roads past rice fields, gardens and small towns. Popular routes are half a day to the White Temple, a full day to the White Temple and further to the waterfalls, a full day to the Golden Triangle. See more details.
Bike tours in Chiang Rai. Photo credit: Zach W, tripadvisor
Golden Triangle
The classic circuit from Chiang Rai starts in the direction of Mae Sai, a town on the border with Burma with a large market on the border and a bridge crossing into Burma. Next is Sop Ruak, the extreme point of Thailand at the intersection of the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos. Here you can see both neighboring countries from the observation deck, as well as rent a boat and go to Laos. The last point on the route is the ancient city of Chiang Saen.
The worst option for visiting the Golden Triangle is large groups and/or bus tours, try to avoid such experiences). If you are taking a tour from Chiang Rai, try to take either a private tour or a small group tour.
In Chiang Rai, you can either use a motorbike for an independent trip around the Golden Triangle. You can rent a car with a driver through any guest house or tour office in Chiang Rai (about $50-60 per car).
If you are not comfortable with a motorbike, but want to travel around the Golden Triangle on a budget, then the best option is public transport. In this case, map out the route Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen - Sop Ruak (Golden triangle) - Mae Sai - Chiang Rai, which, in principle, can be covered in a day.
On the route Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen - Sop Ruak (Sop Ruak or Golden triangle) a minibus runs every 15-20 minutes (green minivans from the Chiang Rai bus terminal). Songthaews (route pick-ups) run between the Golden Triangle (Sop Ruak) and Mae Sai. You can return to Chiang Rai from Mae Sai by bus (about 1.5 hours).
Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai. Photo credit: adventurocity, Flickr
Cooking classes
Chiang Rai, like , is an excellent place for lovers of delicious food. In addition to visiting the Night Market and restaurants in Chiang Rai, the gastronomic experience can be complemented by cooking classes offered in the city. Here you can learn more about the traditions of Thai cuisine and the ingredients used, try your hand at cooking Thai dishes, eat delicious food and generally have fun in the company of nice people.
Having spent nearly 30 years in the shadow of Chiang Mai, the Thai city of Chiang Rai has sprawled haphazardly on the southern bank of the Kok River. Now the city is trying to rival Chiang Mai as an upscale tourist destination, with all the trappings of hype and crowding. The long arm of the complex industry has reached this northern outpost, opening the way for busloads of reckless tourists and newlyweds in cars who stop here and walk around the area for a couple of days, and then rush on.
Paradoxically, this allows the city to carry on as normal during the day as travelers go on excursions, but at night the neon lights flash and the souvenir shops and ersatz Western restaurants are crowded. However, among Thais the city retains its reputation as a weekend getaway for lovers. This comes courtesy of several motels with carports, where you pull into a garage and pay for a modest screen to be drawn behind you. Travelers on a budget get less attention here, but still come for hiking, day trips and other outdoor activities.
Chiang Rai is most famous for the things it had and lost. The city was founded in 1263 by the king of Ngon Yang, Mengrai, who caught a runaway elephant here, which he was chasing around Doi Tong Mountain. The king decided that the capture of the animal was a good omen for the new city. It is traditionally believed that Chiang Rai was the capital of the North for 30 years, but historians believe that Mengrai and his court moved from Ngon Yang directly to in the 1290s.
It was once home to two of the most revered shrines - the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok) and Phra Singh Buddha (now in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or, depending on which story you believe). They were later taken to other places, but at least replicas of these statues can be seen at Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Phra Singh.
Arrival and transport in Chiang Rai
If you arrive at the bus station, which is located on Thanon Phaholyothin Road, in the south of Chiang Rai, you will have a long walk to most guesthouses, so you may want to leave here by tuk-tuk (about 30-50 baht) or songthaew - these are the two main ones type of transport in the city. Longtail boats from Tha Thon arrive at a boat station located northwest of the center, on the north side of the Mae Fah Luang Bridge. Thai Airways flies to Chiang Rai from. You can also use the services of Air Asia and Oriental Thai. There are taxis from the city to the airport, located 8 kilometers to the south (300 baht).
A convenient TAT office is located at 448/16 Thanon Singhaklai, next to Wat Phra Singh (daily from 8.30 to 16.30), where some good free maps and information brochures are provided. This office covers the provinces of Chiang Rai, Nan, Phrae and Phayao. Every October they organize the Mekong Adventure, a nine-day bicycle trek through China and Laos. Gare Garon at 869/18 Thanon Phaholyothin has a small selection of new and used books in English, as well as handicrafts and drinks. Tourist police are located on Thanon Phaholyothin Road near the Golden Triangle Inn.
Songthaew, which has no set routes, charges locals 10-20 baht for a short trip. You can negotiate the price for other trips. Most guesthouses offer motorbike and car rentals, although finding a bike to rent can be a little more difficult. Both mountain bikes (100 baht per day) and motorcycles (150-300 baht) can be rented from the very reliable Soon Motorbikes at 197/2 Thanon Trairat. An expensive car with full service can be rented through Budget, which is located at the Golden Triangle Inn.
Accommodation in Chiang Rai
The Thai city of Chiang Rai is crowded with all kinds of hotels, but many of them offer low quality service at high prices. One or two guesthouses are said to be comparable to the best hotels in Chiang Mai. More expensive accommodation is concentrated around the commercial center of Thanon Phaholyothin, while guesthouses, most of which also offer tours and treks, are located on the south bank of the river and on the outskirts.
Cheap places
1). Baan Bua Guest House– This is a pleasant establishment, located in a surprisingly large garden, away from the road. The concrete rooms are very clean and beautiful, with private hot water baths and some with air conditioning. Location: 879/2 Thanon Jet Yot;
2). Bowling Guest House– This charming establishment, located on a residential street, is famous for its peaceful atmosphere. It offers small concrete rooms next to a fragrant courtyard filled with potted plants. Owned by a young family, this guesthouse has a homely, friendly atmosphere. Six rooms have a private bathroom with cold water, and in addition, a shared hot shower is available. Location: next to Thanon Singhaklai Street, near Mae Hong Guest House;
3). Pension Chat House– Located on a quiet side street behind its own garden cafe. It is Chiang Rai's oldest gathering place for travelers with a relaxing atmosphere. The modern rooms are colorfully decorated and have private baths with hot water, although the cold water is somewhat cleaner. The cafe shows satellite TV programs every evening. Location: 3/2 Soi Sangkaew, Thanon Trairat;
4). Chian House Guesthouse– This lively, run-down complex with a small pool offers lovely en-suite rooms (all with hot water, some with air conditioning) and spacious, clean, wonderfully appointed wooden bungalows with cool tiled floors. There is Internet access. Location: 172 Thanon Koh Loy;
5). Mae Hong Son Guest House– This friendly establishment is located on a quiet street. The complex is housed in wooden buildings surrounding a green, shaded courtyard with an elegant bar and cafe. The rooms are very nice - some have baths (with hot water) and others have shared hot showers. Location: 126 Thanon Singhakai;
6). Pension Tourist Inn– A clean hotel-style guesthouse housed in a modern 4-story building, run by a Japanese-Thai team. Near the reception on the 1st floor there is a European-style bakery, a lobby with large comfortable chairs, a TV and a library, and the bright, bright rooms have hot water baths and air conditioning or a fan. There are cheaper rooms in the next building, not as modern, but with hot showers. Location: 1004/4-6 Thanon Jet Yot;
7). Hotel YMCA International– Trustworthy hotel with comfortable rooms with hot water. Some rooms have air conditioning. The hotel is located in a modern building in the northernmost part of the city. They also offer beds in a dormitory (90 baht). The hotel has a small swimming pool, a café-restaurant and a small charity shop with handicrafts and local agricultural products. Location: 70 Thanon Phaholyothin.
Establishments with reasonable prices
1). Baan Worabordee Hotel– A quality, well-equipped, newly built building located on a quiet road off the main street. Comfortable, clean, beautifully decorated rooms with small balconies, hot water baths, cable TV and a fan or air conditioning. Location: 59/1 Moo 18, Thanon Sanpanard;
2). Golden Traingle Inn Hotel– The hotel is located in the city center and is surrounded by a garden. It offers large, comfortable rooms with sophisticated decor. All have air conditioning and hot water. Location: 590 Thanon Phaholyothin.
Expensive establishments
1). Dusit Island Resort Hotel– This hotel is located on an island on the Kok River, offering a magnificent view of the entire valley. It is considered the best in the city. There is a health club, tennis courts, swimming pool and children's playground. The service meets the highest standards. Location: 1129 Thanon Kaisornrasit;
2). Rim Kok Resort Hotel– A magnificent luxury hotel located in the quiet northern part of the city. It occupies a vast area and has a swimming pool. Location: 6 Moo 4, Thanon Chiang Rai-Tha Ton;
3). Wangcome Hotel– An ordinary hotel with a swimming pool, located in the city center. Not quite up to international five star standards. Location: 869/90 Thanon Pemavipat;
4). Wiang Inn Hotel– Located across the street from the Wangcome Hotel, but slightly more sophisticated than the latter, and also has a swimming pool. Location: 893 Thanon Phaholyothin.
Sights of Chiang Rai
The walk from the center to the towering Doi Tong Mountain in the northwest is especially beautiful at sunset, when you can enjoy magnificent views of the Kok River. At the top of the mountain stands the most interesting of Chiang Rai's few, a sort of phallic one centered around the city's new lak muang, symbolizing the Buddhist order of the universe. Historically, the Lak Muang was erected in honor of the official founding of the Thai city, in Chiang Rai this happened on January 26, 1263, and the new Lak Muang and the carefully crafted stone structure around it appeared exactly 725 years later, to celebrate the 16th anniversary of King Bhumibol.
The lac muang itself symbolizes the axis of the Universe, Mount Sineru (or Meru), and the series of concentric terraces, ditches and columns symbolize the heavens and earth, the great oceans, rivers and the main features of the Universe. It is believed that if you sprinkle water on the entwined garlands of lac muang, and then sprinkle your head with the water that flowed from it into the pool, this will bring good luck.An old wooden lac muang can be seen in the viharna of Wat Phra That Doi Tong, the first temple in the city, which was built scattered chaotically on the eastern side of the hill. Note the small golden prang, this is an old-fashioned wooden spirit house and a Chinese shrine that links the hill with the wat into one sacred place.
The Emerald Buddha, the most significant Buddha image in , was discovered when lightning shattered the chedi (it has since been repaired) at Wat Phra Kaeo on Thanon Traitat Road. The beautiful copy, which was donated to the city by a Chinese millionaire in 1991, was carved in China from a 300-kilogram piece of soft green jadeite. It can now be seen in Khor Phra Yok, a small Lanna-style pavilion located on the right behind the viharn. This copy, which is 47.9 centimeters wide and 65.9 centimeters high, is several millimeters smaller than the Emerald Buddha, since, according to religious rules, a copy cannot exactly replicate the original.
The entire complex has been recently renovated and the decorative finishes are now of a high degree of craftsmanship. Of interest are the decorations on the large wooden building to the left of the viharn, where ancient religious objects and texts are kept. The Hill Tribe Museum and Craft Shop at 620/25 Thanon Tanalai offers a collection of authentic, exquisite hill tribe crafts. The store on the 3rd floor was opened by a member of leading development company Meechai Viravaidya under the auspices of PDA (Population and Community Development Association), which continues to be involved in village projects.
The museum (Monday-Friday from 9.00 to 18.00, Saturday-Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00; 50 baht) is a wonderful place where you can learn more about the mountain peoples before going on a hike to them. Hikes to the mountain tribes are also organized here. The exhibition includes a well-produced, informative slide show (25 minutes). You can donate old clothes or money for jumpers and blankets to the hill tribes. All handicrafts that are of good quality and low price can be found at the night bazaar, located next to Thanon Phaholyothin street near the bus station. Here you can also just while away the evening.
Travel and trekking from Chiang Rai
The area around Chiang Rai offers a variety of treks, from easy walks along the Kok River trails to strenuous treks along the mountain slopes north to the Burmese border. The region has settlements of all mountain peoples. The river, both on the western and eastern sides of the city, is deep enough for rafts, and most trips include a ride on elephants. However, the region's abundance attracts too many travel agencies, and many mountain villages, especially between Chiang Rai and Mae Salong, have grown tired of the regular visitors.
Some tourism companies in Chiang Rai have recently expanded their network to the rest of the province, including Chiang Khong, where the Hmong and Mien people live. Group sizes on treks from Chiang Rai are usually smaller than in Chiang Mai, often ranging from 2 to 3 people, with a maximum of about 7 people per group. The estimated prices set by the Chiang Rai branch of TAT are quite high; an average three-day trek with two overnight stays and an elephant ride usually costs 3-4 thousand baht for each participant in a group of 2 to 5 people. Almost all guesthouses in Chiang Rai can arrange trekking for you. Trustworthy guesthouses include Chat, Chian and Mae Hong Son.
More expensive treks are offered by several non-profit community tourism organizations with offices in Chiang Rai. Hill Area and Community Development Foundation founded Natural Focus, which is located at 129/1 Moo 4, Thanon Pa-Ngiw. It offers tours from 1 to 15 days during which you will study the life of mountain peoples, and there are also programs for young people who volunteer to live and volunteer in the villages. The company has a folk crafts store.
The growing PDA offers one, four-day jungle treks that include elephant and longtail boat trips. It also offers day trips on mountain bikes to the source of the Kok River, the program includes fishing, meals and guide/mechanic services (2,200 baht). There are also excursions to and from other interesting places. Most guesthouses can arrange sightseeing tours, boat trips and elephant rides for you. Mae Hong Son Guest House and Chian also offer motorbike rides, while the latter offers horseback riding tours.
Food and drink in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai's restaurants, including those that cater to Western tastes, are clustered around Thanon Jet Yot and Thanon Phaholiothin streets, where there are also good Thai restaurants. There is a food section at the night bazaar where they offer a variety of very tasty snacks, and there is also a beer garden where you can catch a free gay cabaret performance, or local folk singers, or traditional dance performers. On Thanon Jet Yot, south of the clock tower, there are several Western-style bars where you can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere, satellite TV, music or just a drink and a chat.
1). Cafe Baan Chivft Mai– This is a Scandinavian bakery owned by a Swedish charity company that helps children from the slums of Chiang Rai and Bangkok. This is a very cozy air-conditioned café serving exceptional sandwiches, cakes, cinnamon rolls, croissants, coffee and tea (Monday-Saturday 7am to 9pm, Sunday 2pm to 9pm). Location: 172 Thanon Pra Soop Sook, opposite the bus station;
2). Restaurant Cabbages and Condoms“This restaurant proudly states, “Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy.” The walls here are lined with various items related to birth control, including paintings by Meechai Viravaidya, who offered family planning products in the early days of this organization. The menu features delicious Thai food, including some traditional northern delicacies. All dishes are labeled in English, there are several items that are suitable for vegetarians. Opening hours: daily from 7.00 to 00.00. Location: located in the Museum of Mountain Peoples;
3). Restaurant Chiangrai Coffee Company– A simple cafe-restaurant that serves a variety of coffees made from local beans, as well as many types of tea, Belgian waffles, good breakfast options and Western dishes such as chicken breasts in orange sauce (120 baht). Location: 1025/38 Thanon Jet Yot;
4). Muang Tong Bistro– Offers a wide range of Thai and Chinese dishes, presumably 24 hours a day, and also displays a great variety of ingredients in the open lobby. The establishment is popular among both Thais and foreigners. Location: On the corner of Thanon Phaholyothin Street just south of the Wiang Inn;
5). Salungkum establishment– This establishment is rightfully appreciated by local residents, as it serves the best Thai food in the city, and also has a garden where you can dine in the evening. There is no English sign here, the landmark is the Cosmo gas station on the opposite side of the road. Location: 843 Thanon Phaholyothin, between the statue of King Mengrai and the river.
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