Chiang Rai

Waarom Chiang Rai? The far north with the surreal White Temple, the Blue Temple and the mountains of the Golden Triangle.

Three hours further north from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is quieter, cooler and closer to the frontier where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Its calling cards are three astonishing modern 'art temples' - the mirror-white Wat Rong Khun, the sapphire-blue Wat Rong Suea Ten and the golden Baan Dam - set among tea-terraced hills.

One or two nights covers the temples and an excursion out to the tea plantations or the Golden Triangle on the Mekong.

Wat kun je doen in Chiang Rai?

Bij elke activiteit vind je meteen actueel aanbod, beschikbaarheid en prijzen — zo boek je voordelig vooruit.

• CultuurWat Rong Khun (White Temple)Chalermchai's surreal, mirror-white masterpiece - unlike any temple you've seen.
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• CultuurWat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)Electric-blue sanctuary with a glowing white Buddha.
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• CultuurBaan Dam (Black House)The dark, bone-and-teak art complex of Thawan Duchanee.
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• NatuurGolden TriangleWhere Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong - plus the Opium Museum.
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• KoffieChoui Fong tea plantationRolling emerald tea terraces with a hillside cafe.
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• NatuurSingha ParkCycle or ride the tram through tea fields, lakes and flower gardens.
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• AuthentiekHill-tribe village visitMeet Akha and Karen communities in the northern hills (choose responsible operators).
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• CultuurWat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha)A colossal white Guanyin statue you can ride a lift inside.
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• NatuurDoi Tung Royal Villa & gardenAlpine flower gardens and the late Princess Mother's hillside home.
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• NatuurKhun Korn waterfallA jungle trek to the province's tallest 70-metre cascade.
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• AvontuurKok River longtail tripBoat past villages and hot springs toward the hills.
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• ShoppenChiang Rai Night BazaarHandicrafts, hill-tribe textiles and a lively food court.
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• AuthentiekMae Sai & Mekong borderThailand's northernmost point where three countries meet.
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Getting there & around

Green buses from Chiang Mai take about 3 hours; there are also short domestic flights into Chiang Rai's airport. The sights are scattered across the region, so the smartest options are renting a scooter, hiring a car with driver for the day (around 1,500-2,000 baht), or joining a day tour that strings the White, Blue and Black houses together. In the small town centre, tuk-tuks and Grab cover short hops.

Where to stay

The town centre around the clock tower and night bazaar has the widest choice of budget guesthouses and mid-range hotels, walkable to the market and bus station. For a splurge, several boutique resorts sit out among the rice fields and hills, and there are riverside options towards the north. It is a laid-back town, so plan on early nights.

The art temples & the far north

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) is the must-see - go at opening to beat the crowds, and note the surprising modern-culture murals inside. Pair it with the shimmering Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) and, if you have time, the eerie Baan Dam (Black House) museum. Beyond town, the Choui Fong and Doi Mae Salong tea plantations offer green terraces and hilltop cafes, and the Golden Triangle at Sop Ruak looks across the Mekong to Laos and Myanmar.

Food & the evening

Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar and the weekend Saturday Walking Street are the social hubs, with food courts, live music and northern Thai dishes like khao soi and the local, Shan-influenced curries. It is a low-key scene - a beer and a plate of grilled meat at the market is the standard night out.

Waar slaap je in Chiang Rai?

Vergelijk in één klik de prijzen van meerdere aanbieders voor deze plek.

Aanbevolen: 1–2 nachten

1-2 nights for the art temples and an excursion to the tea fields or the Golden Triangle.

In de buurt

Chiang MaiNorthern Thailand

PaiMae Hong Son Mountains

SukhothaiLower Northern Thailand

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