There are not that many Chiang Rai Tourist Attractions like Bangkok, but there are still some you can only do it in Chiang Rai.
I assume if you are reading this, you are probably in Chiang Mai wondering if you should go to Chiang Rai or not.
Is it worth Visiting Chiang Rai?
If you don’t look closely Chiang Rai looks like a city with nothing to do, but Chiang Rai is not Bangkok. Yes, there isn’t much to do, but t is a place where you enjoy the slow paced lifestyle.
I think three days is enough time to see all the attraction and relax.
Related Post : How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
There are people who do a day trip from Chiang Mai, but I don’t see a point of getting on a bus for three hours for a day trip.
Go to Black Temple (Baandam Museum) / White Temple Chiang Rai /Blue Temple
There are three very famous temples in Chiang Rai – Black temple, White temple and blue temple.
White temple (Wat Rong Khun) is probably the biggest Chiang Rai tourist attraction in Chiang Rai, and I can see why.
It was designed by the famous Chaloemchai Kositpipat. It is still being built and is taking a long time cause of his detailed design. It is like Barcelona Cathedral.
White temple is carved with pure white, ornate facade where you can see it from far away.
The first impression will give you a “wow,” but when you walk closer to the entrance it will give you “what the hell.” The entrance symbolises desire, greed and suffering. It was kind of scary but very interesting.
Because of its popularity, it will be absolutely packed and sometimes even hard to move in the temple. I wish it was less people and quieter as it is still a temple.
Black Temple on the other hand gives you peace in mind. It is a park like museum where you can walk around and relax.
Black temple is not really a temple like White temple. It was once a home and studio for a famous artist Thawan Duchance who was born in Chiang Rai.
Across the gardens are unique buildings and carved woodwork, weird exhibits from animal remains and skulls, bones. I even found a penis on the way.
I think when I visit next time I will definitely just use a tour, cause I didn’t have enough time to go see the blue temple. Getting cabs and walking to the tourist attractions took too much time.
Temple tour will include all White, Blue and Black temple, and you will have enough time to go to a hot spring as well.
Click Here -> Book Your Temple Tour
Bike Through the Fields and Have Lunch at the Lake
The beauty of Chiang Rai is the untouched nature and the kind locals.
I biked through the country side of Chiang Rai and had lunch there. From Black temple, it takes about an hour bike ride to reach the restaurant.
The restaurant is only known by the Chiang Rai locals and you do need a translator to order food, or just trust the lady who serves.
RELATED: WHERE TO EAT IN CHIANG MAI BEST KHAO SOI?
We were lucky enough to have a Thai speaking friend with us, so we ordered pork belly and fried fish. I am not sure if it was the vibe of the restaurant or the food, but it was one of the best fish I ever had.
I still don’t know what kind it was, but I assume they caught in the lake next to the restaurant.
If You Can’t Stay at the Golden Triangle Four Seasons, Stay at Bambou Homestay
I think going to Chiang Rai is to enjoy the calmness and the quietness of the city. And finding accommodations that reflects the lifestyle of Chiang Rai is important.
Four Seasons Golden Triangle probably reflects the best. It is my dream to wake up with the elephants eating their breakfast.
But the price tag of being 2000 dollars a night, I will have wait until I become a Millionaire. So as I CHOSE not to stay at the Four Seasons this time, and stayed at Bambou Homestay.
As you can read on Trip Advisor, Bambou Homestay is an unique experience in Chiang Ria. Hidden behind the mountains, you really feel like you are on a holiday.
Either you relax in the garden or room, except you don’t see an elephant, but I can only imagine, this is as good as Four Seasons. From here, you can also go to Black temple by bike.
A REAL Elephant Sanctuary Where You Don’t Wash or Play with the Elephants
There are many elephant sanctuaries in Thailand.
They promote themselves as “no riding elephants.” Instead you can play or wash the elephants. I didn’t know this but this is still an abuse to those animals as they still have to control the animals to act in certain way.
For instance, if you want to wash the elephants, the guide has to force them to shower even if the elephant doesn’t want to. So often the elephants will shake their head with happiness, but it actually means that they are in stress.
The real elephant sanctuary means helping the abused elephants to eventually go back to nature.
Here in Chiang Rai, you can visit the Happy Valley where their goal is to help the elephants. Where the elephants comes first and not the tourists. You can read more about it on my experience at the Elephant Happy Valley Project here.