41 places to discover
Baan Dam Museum, also known as the Black House Museum, is an open-air art museum in Nang Lae, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. Created by National Artist Thawan Duchanee, it comprises more than 40 distinctive black wooden buildings set in gardens and rice fields. The complex displays his paintings, sculptures, woodcarvings, and collections of animal remains and tribal artifacts, forming a dark, earthly counterpart to Chiang Rai's White Temple.
The Chiang Rai Clock Tower is an ornate golden monument located at a central roundabout in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai City. Designed by renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, creator of the White Temple, it was built in 2008 to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Notable for its intricate Lanna-inspired detailing and nightly light-and-sound shows, it serves as a prominent city landmark and popular photography spot for visitors exploring downtown Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is a large open-air night market in central Chiang Rai city on Phahonyothin Road in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District. It is known for extensive stalls selling handicrafts, clothing, hill-tribe products and souvenirs, alongside a central food court offering northern Thai dishes. With live music and cultural performances, it serves as the city's main evening shopping and dining hub for visitors.
Chiang Rai Saturday Walking Street is a weekly open-air market in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai Province. Held every Saturday evening along San Khong Noi Road in central Chiang Rai, it stretches for about one kilometer near the city centre. The market is known for its wide selection of handmade crafts, hill-tribe textiles, souvenirs, clothing and northern Thai street food, and serves as a popular gathering place showcasing local Lanna culture and community products.
Chiang Saen Ancient City is a walled archaeological site in Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province, on the Mekong River near the Golden Triangle. Founded in 1328 as a Lanna Kingdom center, it retains brick city walls, moats, gates and numerous temple ruins such as Wat Pa Sak. The site preserves Lanna and early Tai Yuan architecture and offers insight into northern Thailand's early urban and Buddhist history.
Choui Fong Tea Plantation is a large tea estate in Pa Sang Subdistrict, Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Established by Choui Fong Tea Company, it covers extensive terraced hills planted primarily with oolong, green and black tea. The plantation is notable for its scenic stepped fields, modern tea production facilities, and hilltop cafe and restaurant overlooking the landscape. It is a well-known agrotourism destination near Chiang Rai city.
Doi Luang National Park is a protected mountainous area spanning Chiang Rai, Phayao and Lampang provinces in northern Thailand, with its main access in Phan District, Chiang Rai. Established in 1990, it covers about 1,170 square kilometres of rugged highlands centred on Doi Luang peak at 1,694 metres. The park is notable for dense evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, waterfalls, viewpoints and diverse wildlife, offering trekking and nature-based tourism.
Doi Mae Salong is a mountain village and hill station in Mae Salong Nok, Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Situated at about 1,200 meters elevation near the Myanmar border, it is known for its tea plantations, Yunnanese Chinese heritage, and cool mountain scenery. Originally settled by the Kuomintang 93rd Division, it is now a cultural tourism destination famous for oolong tea, cherry blossoms, and panoramic viewpoints.
Doi Nang Non is a prominent karst mountain range in Pong Pha, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand, forming part of the Daen Lao Range near the Myanmar border. Known as the Sleeping Lady Mountain for its silhouette resembling a reclining woman, it lies within Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non National Park and contains the Tham Luang Cave system. The range is notable for its limestone cliffs, forested slopes, viewpoints and cultural legend.
Doi Pha Tang is a mountain viewpoint in Po Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province, near the Thailand-Laos border at about 1,653 meters elevation. It is known for panoramic views of the Mekong River valley, sunrise and seasonal sea of mist. The area features multiple viewpoints, cool climate, hill-tribe villages and former historic hilltop sites, now developed for tourism with walking trails, viewpoints and camping areas.
Doi Tung Royal Villa is the former residence of Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, located on Doi Tung mountain in Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province. Built between 1987 and 1988 in Swiss chalet style, it served as her home while overseeing the Doi Tung Development Project. Set among pine forests and landscaped gardens at about 1,000 meters elevation, the villa displays personal belongings and exhibits on the project's reforestation and hill-tribe livelihood initiatives.
The Golden Triangle is a famous viewpoint at Sop Ruak in Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. It marks the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Once known for opium cultivation, it is now a major tourist landmark featuring a riverside viewpoint, a large golden Buddha statue, museums and boat trips overlooking the three-country border landscape.
The Hall of Opium is a museum in Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province, located within the Golden Triangle Park near the Mekong River. Operated by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, it educates visitors about the history of opium in the Golden Triangle region. Through multimedia exhibits and artifacts, it traces opium cultivation, trade, and its social impact, serving as a research and education centre.
Huai Mak Liam Hot Spring is a natural hot spring in Huai Chomphu Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Located in a forested rural area southwest of Chiang Rai city, it features mineral-rich pools and streams where heated water emerges at high temperatures. The site is known for its tranquil natural setting, simple bathing and foot-soak pools, and local use for relaxation and egg boiling, offering a quiet nature-based hot spring experience.
Khun Chae National Park is a protected mountainous park covering about 270 sq km in Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province, extending into Chiang Mai Province along the Khun Tan Range. Established in 1995 as Thailand's 83rd national park, it is notable for dense evergreen and pine forests, high peaks such as Doi Mot and Doi Khun Chae, and forest waterfalls including Khun Chae and Mae Tho waterfalls.
The King Mangrai Monument is a bronze statue honoring Phaya Mangrai, founder of Chiang Rai and the Lanna Kingdom, located on a central traffic island in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai. Erected to commemorate the city's founding in 1262, it depicts the king holding a sword and is a revered landmark for locals and visitors. The monument serves as a geographic center of the city and a symbol of Chiang Rai's historical identity.
The Kok River (Mae Nam Kok) is a major river flowing from Shan State in Myanmar through Chiang Rai Province to join the Mekong River at Chiang Saen. In Mueang Chiang Rai District, it passes through the heart of Chiang Rai city, forming a scenic waterway flanked by parks, bridges and riverside restaurants. Notable for longtail boat trips, kayaking and riverside leisure, it serves as a natural landmark and recreational corridor for visitors exploring northern Thailand.
Lam Nam Kok National Park is a protected forested area in Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand, centered along the Kok River. Covering about 480 square kilometres across Mueang Chiang Rai and neighbouring districts, it is known for mountain landscapes, waterfalls such as Khun Korn Waterfall, and natural hot springs including Pong Phra Bat. The park protects watershed forests and offers hiking, nature study and river scenery near Chiang Rai city.
Mae Fah Luang Art and Culture Park is a cultural park and museum complex in Rop Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai, operated by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage. Established to preserve Lanna art and heritage, it houses the Haw Kaew teak museum, the Haw Kham golden pavilion, traditional Lanna architecture, and landscaped gardens showcasing northern Thai craftsmanship and cultural history.
Mae Fah Luang Garden is a landscaped flower garden on Doi Tung mountain in Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Established in 1992 as part of the Doi Tung Development Project initiated by Princess Srinagarindra, it covers about 10 acres at around 1,000 meters elevation. The garden is notable for its year-round temperate floral displays, central floral sculpture, and role in sustainable development and opium-cultivation replacement in the region.
Mae Sai Border Market, also known as Sai Lom Joy Market, is a bustling border market in Wiang Phang Kham, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai, at Thailand's northernmost border with Tachileik, Myanmar. Located along Phahonyothin Road adjacent to the Mae Sai border checkpoint and Friendship Bridge, it is notable as a major cross-border trading hub offering goods from Thailand, Myanmar and China, including textiles, handicrafts, electronics and local foods.
Oub Kham Museum is a private cultural museum in Nang Lae, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai, northern Thailand. Founded by collector Julasak Suriyachai, it houses an extensive collection of Lanna Kingdom artifacts, Tai Yai royal regalia, textiles, lacquerware and Buddhist art. Housed in a traditional Lanna-style teak pavilion, the museum is notable for its rare golden throne, ancient costumes and well-preserved heritage objects illustrating northern Thai history.
Phu Chi Dao is a mountain viewpoint in Po Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand, near the Thailand-Laos border. Rising about 1,800 meters above sea level in the Doi Pha Mon range, it is known for its narrow rocky ridge and panoramic sunrise views over a sea of mist. The site offers vistas of forested mountains and the Mekong River valley and is a popular seasonal destination for hiking and photography.
Phu Chi Fa is a prominent mountain viewpoint in Phu Chi Fa Forest Park on the Thai-Laos border in Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Rising to about 1,628 metres, it is known for its distinctive cliff that juts toward Laos and panoramic views of forested mountains. The site is famous for sunrise viewing above a sea of mist during the cool season and is surrounded by highland villages and protected forest.
Phu Chi Fa National Park is a protected mountain area in Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province, near the Thailand-Laos border. Centered on the 1,628-meter Phu Chi Fa peak, it is famous for its sharp cliff pointing skyward and seasonal sea of mist at sunrise. The park features evergreen forest, grasslands and viewpoints overlooking the Mekong valley. It is a popular cool-season destination for hiking and photography.
Pu Kaeng Waterfall is a multi-tiered forest waterfall located inside Doi Luang National Park in San Makhet Subdistrict, Phan District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Known locally as Namtok Pu Kaeng, it features nine cascades flowing over limestone cliffs surrounded by mixed deciduous forest. The waterfall is notable for its year-round flow, scenic forest setting, and accessibility within the national park, making it a popular nature attraction for visitors to Phan District.
Singha Park is a large agro-tourism and leisure park in Mae Kon, Mueang Chiang Rai District, about 13 km southwest of Chiang Rai city. Operated by Boon Rawd Brewery, owner of Singha Beer, it covers over 8,000 rai of landscaped farmland with tea and barley fields, flower gardens, lakes and hills. Notable for its scenic cycling routes, farm tram tour, zipline and seasonal flower festivals.
Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park is a protected forest and mountain park in Pong Pha, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Centered on the Doi Nang Non limestone range, it is best known for Tham Luang Cave, a 10 km cave system, and Khun Nam Nang Non spring. The park features forested hills, caves, and viewpoints and includes a rescue exhibition hall commemorating the 2018 cave rescue.
Wat Huay Pla Kang is a Buddhist temple complex located on a hill in Rim Kok Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. It is notable for its 9-tier Chinese-style pagoda and a 79-meter white statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Built in the 2000s under Phra Ajarn Phob Chok, the temple blends Thai Lanna and Chinese Mahayana styles and has become a major sightseeing and pilgrimage destination near Chiang Rai city.
Wat Klang Wiang is a historic Buddhist temple located in Wiang Subdistrict in the center of Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Situated near the Chiang Rai Clock Tower at the heart of the old city, it is one of the city's oldest temples, dating to the 15th century. The temple is notable for its Lanna-style viharn, ornate wood carvings, gilded Buddha images, and its role as a former enshrinement site for the Emerald Buddha.
Wat Pa Sak is a historic Buddhist temple located just outside the ancient walled city of Chiang Saen in Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Built in the 14th century during the Lanna period by King Saen Phu, it is renowned for its well-preserved chedi adorned with intricate stucco work. Set among teak trees, the temple is an important archaeological site reflecting early Lanna architecture and Chiang Saen's heritage.
Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai is a historic Buddhist temple in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai city, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Originally called Wat Pa Yia, it is renowned as the discovery site of the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaew Morakot) in 1434 after lightning struck its ancient chedi. The temple features Lanna-style architecture, a replica Emerald Buddha, the revered Phra Chao Lan Thong bronze Buddha image, and a small museum.
Wat Phra Singh Chiang Rai is a historic Buddhist temple located on Singhakai Road in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai city. Built in the 14th century during the Lanna period, it is one of the city's oldest and most revered temples. Notable for its classic Lanna architecture, ornate wooden ubosot, replica of the Phra Singh Buddha image, and intricate wood carvings, it serves as an important religious and cultural landmark in central Chiang Rai.
Wat Phra That Chedi Luang is an ancient Buddhist temple located inside the walled historic city of Chiang Saen in Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Dominated by a large 58-meter bell-shaped Lanna-style chedi, it is the most prominent monument of the Chiang Saen ancient city. Founded in the 14th century during the Lanna Kingdom, the temple enshrines Buddha relics and reflects classic Chiang Saen art and architecture, attracting visitors for history, culture and photography.
Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is a historic Buddhist temple atop Doi Chom Kitti hill in Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Overlooking the town and Mekong River valley, it is one of Chiang Saen's oldest temples, traditionally dated to the 10th century and believed to enshrine Buddha relics. The temple is noted for its Lanna-style bell-shaped chedi, serene hilltop setting, and panoramic views, serving as an important pilgrimage site.
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong is a historic Theravada Buddhist temple atop Doi Chom Thong hill in Wiang Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai city. Believed to predate the founding of Chiang Rai in 1262, it enshrines sacred Buddha relics in its ancient chedi. The hilltop location offers views over the city and Kok River and is regarded as the oldest temple site in Chiang Rai.
Wat Phra That Doi Tung is a revered Buddhist temple atop Doi Tung mountain in Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Perched at about 1,400 meters elevation near the Myanmar border, it is famous for its twin gilded chedis enshrining a Buddha relic. Dating to the 10th century, it is one of Chiang Rai's oldest and most sacred pilgrimage sites, offering panoramic mountain views and significant Lanna religious architecture.
Wat Phra That Doi Wao is a historic Buddhist temple atop Doi Wao hill in Wiang Phang Kham, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai, near the Thailand-Myanmar border. Founded in the Lanna period and enshrining sacred Buddha relics in its ancient chedi, it is notable for its hilltop viewpoint overlooking Mae Sai and Tachileik, its long naga-flanked staircase, and its large scorpion statue reflecting the temple's name. It remains an important religious and cultural landmark of Thailand's northernmost town.
Wat Phra That Pha Ngao is a historic Buddhist temple situated on a hillside in Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Overlooking the Mekong River and the border with Laos, it is known for its ancient chedi believed to enshrine Buddha relics, hillside Buddha images, and panoramic viewpoint. The temple combines religious significance, Lanna architecture, and scenic landscape, making it a notable cultural and sightseeing stop near Chiang Saen town and the Golden Triangle area.
Wat Rong Khun, known as the White Temple, is a contemporary Buddhist temple in Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and begun in 1997, it is renowned for its all-white exterior with mirrored glass mosaics, elaborate sculptures, and modern murals. The temple is privately owned and still under construction as an ongoing art project.
Wat Rong Suea Ten, known as the Blue Temple, is a contemporary Buddhist temple in Rim Kok, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Famous for its vivid sapphire-blue interior and exterior, it was rebuilt between 2005 and 2016 on the site of an abandoned temple once frequented by tigers. Designed by Phuttha Kabkaew, a student of Chalermchai Kositpipat, it features elaborate murals, naga sculptures and a large white Buddha image.