Ultimate Chiang Rai itinerary, including all the must-visit places as well as some hidden gems!
With an incredible landscape dotted with unusual and colorful temples, mountains, rice paddies, tea plantations, and waterfalls, Chiang Rai is definitely a must-visit on any Northern Thailand itinerary.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to create the perfect Chiang Rai itinerary for 1 or 2 days covering the main tourist attractions as well as some underrated spots.
I’ll also share some practical tips, including how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, and the best time to visit.
So keep reading for the best Chiang Rai itinerary!
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BEST CHIANG RAI TEMPLE TOUR
Short on time? I recommend this highly-rated Chiang Rai Temples day tour from Chiang Mai. Includes all entry fees, hotel transfers in air-conditioned vehicle, and an expert tour guide.
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Read more about Chiang Rai:
- 7 Most beautiful temples in Chiang Rai
- Guide to the best Chiang Rai night markets
- Guide to visiting Khun Korn waterfall
- Should you visit Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai Itinerary Overview
If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Chiang Rai, I recommend at least 2 days to be able to see all the main tourist attractions as well as some hidden gems.
Here’s a suggested 2-day Chiang Rai itinerary:
Day 1: White Temple, Khun Korn Waterfall, Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai, Chiang Rai city center, night market
Day 2: Blue Temple, Wat Huay Pla Kang, Choui Fong Tea Plantation, Golden Triangle, Mekong Skywalk
However, if you’re short on time, you can instead take a look at these Chiang Rai day tours from Chiang Mai. They include hotel transfers, entrance fees, and a tour guide.
Where to Stay in Chiang Rai?
Luxury: Conveniently located in Chiang Rai city center, Le Patta Hotel offers spacious rooms and a beautiful outdoor pool. Check latest rates here.
Mid-Range: Sleepy House is located within walking distance of the bus station and Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. Rooms are cozy and clean and free breakfast is included. Check latest rates here.
Budget: Also located in the city center, Baan Mai Kradan Hostel is great for budget and solo travelers. Free breakfast is included in the room rate. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN CHIANG RAI
How to get to Chiang Rai?
Getting to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai
The best way to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai is by taking the bus. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 7 a.m to 6 p.m and the total journey takes about 3.5 hours.
Tickets cost 270 baht or more depending on the time. I highly recommend booking your ticket at least a few days to a week in advance as they sell out fast.
BOOK A BUS TICKET TO CHIANG RAI HERE
In addition to being cheap, the buses are comfortable with air-con and reclined seats and some even have toilets onboard.
If budget isn’t an issue, you can instead take a private taxi. Note that there are no direct flights between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Getting to Chiang Rai from Bangkok
For those coming from Bangkok, there are daily direct flights to Chiang Rai and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. The route is serviced by budget airlines so you can get tickets for about 1,500 baht (excluding checked luggage).
Another option is to take a 13-hour bus from Mochit bus station in Bangkok.
BOOK A TRANSFER FROM BANGKOK TO CHIANG RAI HERE
Getting around Chiang Rai
Since the attractions in Chiang Rai are quite spread out, the best way to get around is to rent a car or scooter.
I hired a rental car through Discover Cars and had a great experience. Also driving around Chiang Rai is easy as traffic isn’t as hectic as in Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
CHECK CAR RENTAL RATES IN CHIANG RAI HERE
Alternatively, you can take a songthaew to get around the city which should cost about 30 baht per trip for short distances.
If you need to cover longer distances, you can hire a songthaew for the day or take a Grab taxi. Public buses are also available to the White Temple (more info below).
Best time to visit
The best time to plan your Chiang Rai itinerary is during the cool season (October to February). March to May is the hot season with temperatures rising to 40°C while June to September is the rainy season.
Another thing to consider is the burning season which sometimes begins as early as late January and ends toward mid-May. It gets even worse in March and April which isn’t ideal for sightseeing.
I visited in June which marks the beginning of the rainy season but the weather was great every single day.
Chiang Rai Itinerary – Day 1
White Temple
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) is one of the most popular temples in Chiang Rai so naturally, it should be the first stop of your Chiang itinerary.
You can easily get there by taking the public bus from Chiang Rai bus terminal 1. Tickets cost about 25 baht and the bus departs every 45 minutes from 8:10 a.m to 4:20 p.m. Alternatively, you can rent a car or scooter, hire a private taxi, or take a Grab.
The temple is open daily from 8 a.m to 5 p.m and the entrance fee is 100 baht. I highly recommend heading there at opening time as it gets super packed with tourists.
But if you can’t get there early enough, you can also visit one hour before closing time to avoid the crowds.
The temple complex is quite big but the main attraction here is the White Temple which is covered with thousands of mirror fragments.
The outside features weird sculptures of hands rising from the ground, skulls, mythical figures, and Buddha statues while the inside gets even weirder with paintings of Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Batman, and Jack Sparrow among Buddha images.
Note that photography isn’t allowed inside the temple but you can take as many photos as you wish outside which is more photogenic anyway.
Once you’ve fully explored the White Temple, be sure to check out the surroundings like the two gold buildings (one of which is in fact a restroom!).
There’s also another all-white building housing a Buddha statue as well as a man-made waterfall/art cave tunnel that you can explore for an additional fee of 50 baht.
If you’re hungry, you can grab lunch from one of the restaurants located outside the temple. Prices are reasonable and I was able to get a pad thai and mango smoothie for just 110 baht.
Wat Rong Khun is a definitely must-see on any 1 or 2-day Chiang Rai itinerary, so be sure to set aside at least 1-2 hours for your visit.
Related post: Most beautiful temples to visit in Chiang Rai
Khun Korn Waterfall
The next stop of your 2 days in Chiang Rai is the 70-meter-tall Khun Korn Waterfall, conveniently located about a 25-minute drive from the White Temple.
Note that there’s no public bus that goes to the waterfall, so your only option is to rent a car or scooter or hire a private taxi.
The hike to Khun Korn is easy, taking only about 30 minutes, so ideal for all fitness levels.
There’s even a small pool where you can cool off after the hike. Don’t forget to pack mosquito repellant and swimwear!
Related post: Hiking to Khun Korn Waterfall Chiang Rai
Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai
If you want to explore slightly off the beaten path during your Chiang Rai travel itinerary, I highly recommend visiting Wat Phra That Doi Khao Kwai.
Located atop a mountain, only about 15 minutes from the city center, the temple offers unparalleled views of Chiang Rai and has barely any tourists.
The main temple is very beautiful and boasts intricate designs on the walls, colorful lanterns, twinkling lights, and an emerald Buddha statue.
But the best part, in my opinion, is the panoramic view of Chiang Rai with the mountains in the distance. If you look closely, you can even spot the statue of the Goddess of Mercy at Wat Huay Pla Kang (mentioned below).
Chiang Rai City Center
During your visit to Chiang Rai, I recommend taking a walk around the city center. Here you’ll find temples like Wat Phra Sing and Wat Phra Kaew which used to house the Emerald Buddha that is now on display at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
While walking around the city, you’ll also come across the Chiang Rai Clock Tower. You can’t miss it due to its gold façade and intricate designs which are reminiscent of the White Temple.
I recommend visiting at dusk when it’s all lit up. Apparently, there’s a free light show every evening at 7 p.m, 8 p.m, and 9 p.m daily. Unfortunately, I visited outside of these times but it still looked quite impressive against the night sky.
Chiang Rai Night Market
Finally, end the first day of your Chiang Rai itinerary by eating your way through the Chiang Rai night markets.
If you happen to visit on a Saturday, be sure to check out Chiang Rai Walking Street (find the exact location here). The market is huge and is open on Saturdays only from 3 p.m to 10 p.m.
It’s packed with vendors selling everything from delicious Thai food to clothes, souvenirs, and all sorts of knick-knacks. There’s even a stage where they have live performances.
Alternatively, if you’re not visiting on a Saturday, you can instead go to the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar (find the exact location here) which opens daily from 6 p.m to 11 p.m.
It’s much smaller than the walking street but you can still find stalls selling clothes and souvenirs as well as a food court.
Related post: Guide to visiting the Chiang Rai night markets
Chiang Rai Itinerary – Day 2
Blue Temple
Rise and shine early for day 2 of your Chiang Rai itinerary since it’s going to be a long day.
The first stop will be Wat Rong Suea Ten, commonly known as the Blue Temple. The temple is, you guessed it, completely painted in blue with golden accents.
Inside is a huge white Buddha statue surrounded by paintings of Buddha and mythological figures all in the same blue tone.
Just like the White Temple, it’s super popular so be sure to get there early enough if you want a photo without crowds.
The Blue Temple is open daily from 7 a.m to 8 p.m and is free to visit.
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Wondering what to do in Chiang Rai in 2 days? Then be sure to visit Wat Huay Pla Kang: Goddess of Mercy Temple.
The temple complex is open daily from 7 a.m to 9.30 p.m and consists of a giant statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, a 9-tier pagoda, and an all-white ordination hall.
The highlight for me was riding the elevator to the top of Guan Yin statue. From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view with layers of mountains.
The inside is also impressive with sculptures of Guan Yin and mythical figures etched into the walls.
While the temple complex is free to visit, there’s a small fee of 40 baht to ride the elevator to the top of Guan Yin statue.
The best way to get to Wat Huay Pla Kang is to rent a car or hire a private taxi. Otherwise, you can take a Grab to get there.
Choui Fong Tea Plantation
About 40 km north of Wat Huay Pla Kang is Choui Fong Tea Plantation which features rows and rows of tea fields as far as the eyes can see.
You can eat lunch here but keep in mind that food and drinks are a bit pricey since you’re essentially paying for the view. Nevertheless, I think it’s a worthy stop on any Chiang Rai itinerary.
You can still stop here for photos if you don’t want to eat at the restaurant. The best view is obviously at the restaurant but there are also plenty of other viewpoints scattered around the tea plantation.
The restaurant is open daily from 8.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m. but you can visit anytime if you just want to take photos.
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is the spot where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet along the Mekong River.
The most famous landmarks to see here are the golden Buddha and elephant statues but you can also take a boat tour along the Mekong River to check out a local market in Laos. It’s quite touristy with lots of stalls selling clothes and souvenirs.
Although there isn’t much to do here, it’s still fun to be able to admire the scenery of both Laos and Myanmar without leaving Thailand.
Be sure to also visit Phra That Doi Pu Khao for a bird’s eye view of the Golden Triangle.
Tip: If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, you can find a few restaurants alongside the river.
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao and Mekong Skywalk
The last stop on your 2-day Chiang Rai itinerary is Wat Phra That Pha Ngao, a small temple located about a 20-minute drive from the Golden Triangle. The main reason I decided to visit was to check out the Mekong Skywalk.
For a small fee (about 20 baht), you can take a Tuk Tuk from the temple to the top of the mountain where the skywalk is located. Alternatively, you can walk there in about 20 minutes.
The temple itself is free to visit but the fee to go on the Mekong Skywalk is 40 baht. It’s absolutely worth it for the breathtaking views of Laos and Thailand.
Just note that the floor is made of glass and thus completely transparent so if you’re afraid of heights, this might not be for you. Luckily, you can also get some decent views without going on the skywalk.
After your visit, head back to Chiang Rai or if you’re too tired to drive back on the same day, you can stay the night in Chiang Saen.
I personally stayed at A Hotel Simply which is only a 5-minute drive from the Mekong Skywalk. The room was very spacious and clean and included breakfast.
Other things to do during a Chiang Rai Itinerary
CAT ‘n’ A CUP Café: The best spot in Chiang Rai for some good coffee and cuddles with the cutest cats.
Ngam Mueang Market: A small local market near Wat Phra Kaew selling cheap clothes and local snacks.
Huai Kaeo Waterfall and Huai Mae Sai Waterfall: Both waterfalls aren’t that easy to get to due to the steep roads and are only worth visiting if you have extra time in Chiang Rai.
As you can see there’s much more to see in Chiang Rai than just the White Temple and Blue Temple. I hope you found this Chiang Rai itinerary helpful. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comment section below.
Read more about Thailand:
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