Chiang Rai took us completely by surprise.
Expecting a sleepy little town without much to see or do, we were pleasantly completely wrong! Some of the best temples in Thailand are in Chiang Rai, alongside the gardens at Doi Tung Mountain, the massive Goddess of Mercy, and loads more.
For many years, Chiang Rai was the center of the opium trade, which might explain the strange Black House. (Has to be seen to be believed).
We only spent a day here thinking there wasn’t much to see, but I actually recommend two to three days and Chiang Rai will reward you with some delightful (and strange) experiences that will be forever etched in your memory.
This list of the top 10 very best things to do in Chiang Rai will give you a headstart. But once you are there, you can plan according to your calendar.
Top 10 Very Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai: TL;DR
- White Temple or Wat Rong Khun
- Black House
- Blue Temple or Wat Rong Suea Ten
- Khun Korn Waterfall
- Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
- Golden Triangle Park
- Wat Phra Kaew
- Monkey Temple
- Clock Tower
- Singha Park
Top 10 Very Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai, Thailand
1. Marvel at the Magnificence of the White Temple
When you visit Chiang Rai, visiting the White Temple is an absolute must! Officially known as Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple is a sparkling-white temple that looks surreal. The temple is located in the Pa O Don Chai subdistrict of Mueang Chiang Rai District.
Designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, the White Temple has incredibly detailed carvings and sculptures. Covered in glass, the White Temple is painted in blinding white.
The entrance to the temple’s main ordination hall features the hell park where you will see hundreds of hand sculptures jutting out of the ground, depicting the sufferings in the afterlife.
Pro Tip: Dress respectfully while visiting the temple to avoid hurting local sentiments!
2. Witness the Bizarre Black House
Oddity at its best, the Black House is one of the most famous attractions of Chiang Rai. Sometimes incorrectly known as the Black Temple, it is a unique museum officially known as Baan Dam Museum.
Interestingly, the museum isn’t composed of a single black house. It has 40 such structures decorated with bones, furs, crocodile skins and some more slightly risque (but intriguing) art and carvings.
Some of the buildings do look like temples, which explain its moniker. Contemporary Thai artist Thawan Duchanee is the brain behind the little black houses.
Despite its popularity, the Black House is of no match to the grandeur of the White Temple, however if you’re exploring Chiang Rai, it’s definitely worth a visit.
3. Be Dazzled by the Blue Temple
Yet another famed temple in Chiang Rai is the Blue Temple or the Wat Rong Suea Ten located outside the Chiang Rai city on the opposite side of Mae Kok River.
Colored in a dazzling aquamarine blue both on the outside and inside, this one-of-a-kind contemporary temple has many Buddhist-style patterns, depictions of heaven and hell, and many illustrations of Buddha’s life cycle.
At the entrance of the temple, you will see two statues of devas with massive nagas wrapped around them.
The details are eye-popping and awe-inspiring. And the temple is an Instagram influencers’ photographic dream!
Pro Tip: Morning light lights up the Blue Temple facade giving excellent photo opportunities.
4. Brave the Forest to Reach Khun Korn Waterfall
Not far from the White Temple is the enchanting Khun Korn Forest Park where you will find the Khun Korn Waterfall.
A short hike along a 1.4-kilometer path through the snake-infested forest will take you to the magnificent waterfall.
On your path, you will find many small streams that you need to cross using bamboo bridges. Once you get close to the waterfall, you can hear the sound of the crashing water.
If you intend to swim at the bottom of the 70-meter-tall Khun Korn Waterfall, carry dry clothes and towels.
Pro Tip: Take the snake warning seriously and wear proper shoes. Snakes are quite common in Thailand and Chiang Rai is no exception.
5. Taste Local Cuisine at Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Close to the Chiang Rai Bus Terminal is a daily market that showcases the Chiang Rai nightlife. Much smaller than the night markets at Chiang Mai, this night bazaar has fewer tourists and is less crowded.
The Chiang Rai Night Bazaar opens every day irrespective of the weather and offers delectable local Thai cuisines, live music, handmade souvenirs, and more.
You will find some vendors selling products on behalf of the hill tribes of Chiang Rai.
6. Take a Day Trip to the Golden Triangle Park
Your Chiang Rai itinerary will be incomplete without including the famous Golden Triangle. Located north of Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle is where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
You will see the Mekong River and Ruak River intersect in this area. To get breathtaking views of the rivers and the land, climb up to a hilltop balcony.
To get a better view of the three countries, head over to Chiang Saen, which is just south of the Golden Triangle and about 5 hours from Chiang Mai.
Chiang Saen has ancient ruins that will offer a glimpse of the history of northern Thailand. Chiang Saen’s Old City precincts have a few notable temples including Wat Pa Sak, Wat Roi Ko, Wat Phra That Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Buat.
7. Visit Wat Phra Kaew
The Chiang Rai region is replete with incredible temples and yet another one is Wat Phra Kaew. It is one of the oldest temples of Chiang Rai.
No one knows when the temple was built. It is said that Wat Phra Kaew was the original home of the Emerald Buddha.
In 1434, lightning struck the stupa or the chedi of the temple, which led to the collapse of the building, revealing the hidden Emerald Buddha.
The Emerald Buddha quickly became a national symbol and was moved several times to Chiang Mai and Laos until it eventually rested in the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
What you see today at Wat Phra Kaew is the replica.
8. Dodge the Menacing Monkeys at the Monkey Temple
At the foothills of the Doi Nang Non mountain range is the Wat Tham Pla or the Fish Cave Temple. It is also known as the Monkey Temple because of the resident monkeys of the Northern pig-tailed macaque species.
These monkeys are everywhere and are quite menacing. They are known to snatch the belongings of tourists.
While the monkeys are definitely the mascot of the temple, the main tourist attractions are the stairs guarded by 7-headed Nagas and Chedi Nopha Chuta Gow Yot – a large, gloomy, and dark structure.
Up the stairs is a small cave where you can find a small Buddha statue.
9. Golden Clock Tower – A Spectacle to Behold
At the heart of central Chiang Rai is the spectacular Golden Clock Tower built by the same artist who designed the famous White Temple.
Traffic always shoots around the tower, but as evening descends on Chiang Rai, the clock tower light show is captivating as it stands out against the backdrop of the dark sky.
