Day 1 in Chiang Rai
Welcome to Chiang Rai! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!
We recommend you get acquainted with the Ancient Lanna city of Chiang Rai by taking a stroll around the famous clock tower found in the heart of the city. The glistening gold tower was built by well known Thai artist Chaloemchai Kositpipat to honor His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, the design resembles the White Temple.
The city offers a free sightseeing tram (November through January) that run a fixed route that passes by nine popular attractions such as Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Rai Cultural Center and Wat Phra That Doi Jom Thong. The trams start at the King Mengrai`s monument and you can hop on and off at any point.
Head over to the popular Chiang Rai Walking Street Market which covers a mile long stretch on Thanalai Road lined with stalls, street food and live music. Stop and enjoy some delicious local Thai cuisine and browse the stalls for some Lanna handicrafts made by the hilltop tribes of Chiang Rai. There are three zones to the market along with musical performances and dancing, you can also enjoy an authentic Thai massage.
Check out the Hill Tribe Museum featuring a diverse collection of unique clothing items and handicrafts worn and made by the different tribes. The interesting museum provides visitors with a wealth of information on the six different hill tribes in Thailand, giving them a greater understanding of their rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Time to visit your first temple in the city, Wat Klang Wiang is a 15th-century ornate Buddhist temple richly decorated with striking architecture and a red facade. The main structure includes the ubosot, the viharn, a scripture library, the chedi, and the city pillar shrine.
Head over to the King Mengrai Monument found in the spiritual heart of the city, founded in 1262 and pays tribute to King Mengrai who founded the ancient Lanna Thai Kingdom. This life-sized monument is one of the first things that can be seen when approaching the city, many people stop here to pay their respects to the founding father.
On your first evening in Chiang Rai be sure to check out the clock tower at night, which displays a light and sound show every evening at 7 pm, 8 pm, and 9 pm when the tower changes from gold to pink, it draws quite the crowd.
Visit the bustling Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, the largest market covers four street blocks southeast of the clock tower. Wander the rows and rows of stalls selling a wide range of items that include Thai handicrafts, unique souvenirs, jewelry, and clothing.
You can sample many different kinds of street food at the market and sit down to enjoy your food in the beer garden while listening to live music and watching cultural performances. There are two separate eating places located in the market, the `Centerpoint` which is run by a local restaurant serving Western-Thai specialties and the `Food Court` offering Thai, German, Italian and Indian cuisine
Day 2 in Chiang Rai
The Chiang Rai morning market is a great place to start your day with plenty of stalls selling anything and everything including more delicious street food. Fuel up on a fresh cup of Thai coffee at one of the many coffee shops found around the city and savor a delicious fresh breakfast.
Spend the rest of your morning exploring the many temples and museums dotted all around Chiang Rai. Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong is the site home to a large golden hexagonal shaped chedi which contains the Lord Buddha`s holy relics. This is an important place of worship for the locals and a major landmark in the city set on top of a hill with stunning views overlooking the city, it is the highest point in Chiang Rai.
The Oub Kham Museum houses an impressive collection of items from the ancient Lanna Kingdom including ancient artifacts, rare antiques, pottery, textiles and a 400-year-old golden throne that belonged to Chiang Tung.
In the afternoon take a tour of the hill tribe villages in the region. The hill tribe country around Chiang Rai is home to six of the largest ethnic tribes in Thailand. Many tour groups in the city offer trekking to the villages which are combined with long tail boat rides and some offer overnight stays in the tribal villages.
Explore this wonderful region of Thailand filled with natural elements including a large number of hidden waterfalls, many found inside the national park. Khun Korn Forest features the most spectacular waterfall that reaches up to 50 feet in height. Khun Korn Waterfall is the highest and most powerful fall found in Chiang Rai where the water plunges straight down dramatically in a powerful motion spraying mist creating a picture perfect scene. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool at the foot of the falls to cool off and take in the magnificent surrounding scenery.
Take a trip to Pong Phra Bat Hot Springs, these relaxing natural springs are deeply relaxing and set in the picturesque mountainous regions of Chiang Rai. The water temperature here reaches up to 110 degrees providing you with your own outside hot tub amongst nature.
If you are feeling adventurous take part in some rock climbing up the spectacular iconic Thailand limestone rocks that soar up to 265 feet high, there are different routes for all skill levels. Zip lining is also an amazing adventure in the region, flying high above the verdant jungle boasting views for miles can be an exhilarating once in a lifetime experience.
As evening time approaches head over to Wat Huai Pla Kang, about 5 miles north of the city center where the magnificent giant white Buddha stands. The temple complex here features an ornate white temple and a nine-tiered Chinese Pagoda. Climb the hill to see the Buddha (Guan Yin Bodhisattva) in all its glory! This is a fantastic location to capture the sun setting over the city of Chiang Rai.
Wat Huai Pla Kang is located about 5 miles north of the city center of Chiang Rai and is well worth a visit to see the giant white Buddha on site (Guan Yin Bodhisattva) carved out of sandalwood. The temple complex features an ornate white temple, a 9 tiered Chinese pagoda and is a beautiful location to walk around and visit the Buddha on top of the hill. There is an exquisite dragon staircase that leads up to the pagoda.
Check out the vast dining scene in Chiang Rai offering a great mix of local and international cuisine. The city is filled with delicious eateries including British style fish and chips, Mediterranean dishes and even a Swedish Bakery. Many of the restaurants and food stalls can be found around the famous clock tower.
After dinner explore the city as it comes alive at night, and enjoy some drinks in the good selection of bars on Jet Yod Road and around the bustling Night Bazaar market on Don Phaholyothin Road.
Day 3 in Chiang Rai
Start your morning off with a cycle around the city. Riding a bicycle in Chiang Rai is a fulfilling and fun way to see the interesting sights found off the beaten path. Explore the charming countryside road dotted with archaeological sites worth visiting.
Check out the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, the large park is adorned with verdant trees, lawns, and vibrant gardens. Visit the museum on site housing a fine collection of Lanna art and teakwood artifacts, see the Golden Pavilion found in the center of the park. Take a journey through the treetops on the Doi Tung Tree Top Walk, 1,000 feet of roped walkway hangs high amongst the trees immaculate giving you a bird`s eye view over the gardens and surrounding landscapes.
This afternoon take a journey out to the Golden Triangle region, the meeting point of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. The stunning landscapes in this area are filled with greenery, rolling hills, and rivers. The Ruak River meets the Mekong River here forming a boundary between the three countries with plenty of water sports to partake in. The Golden Triangle once was the region known for producing opium, it is now brimming with picturesque coffee and tea plantations that are well worth a visit.
Whilst out in the countryside, visit the spectacular area of Doi Mae Salong officially named `Sanktikhiri` situated close the border of Myanmar. The magnificent mountain here sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet one of the highest peaks in Chiang Rai boasting beautiful breathtaking views over the vibrant countryside brimming with coffee and tea plantations. Enjoy some of the delicious local cuisines served in the quaint town where cozy hotels and guesthouses can be found.
Additional Days in Chiang Rai If you are able to spend additional days in Chian
If you are able to spend additional days in Chiang Rai be sure to visit the Saturday Walking Street Market and the Saturday Night Walking Street. One of the larger markets found in the city on Thanon Thanalai Road in the center of the city covering 4 blocks with a food area and hundreds of market stalls. A Sunday Walking Street market is found on Sankhongnoi with the Happy Street live performances.
Wai Sa Phaya Mengrai or Phokhun Mengrai Maharat Festival is held January 23rd through February 1st in the city to worship Buang Suang.
The Lychee Fair is held annually in the middle of May with a float competition, beauty contest and booths selling local products at the provincial stadium of Chiang Rai.
Golf is a popular sport in the city with two championship golf courses at Santiburi Country Club and Waterford Valley offering 18 holes with verdant forest surroundings.
Your Last Day in Chiang Rai
Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.