Mae Fah Luang Art & Culture Park
Chiang Rai
In addition to a museum that houses one of Thailand’s biggest collections of Lanna artefacts, this vast, meticulously landscaped compound includes antique…
Must-see attractions in Chiang Rai Province
Hilltribe Museum & Education Center
Chiang Rai
This museum and cultural centre is a good place to visit before undertaking any hill-tribe trek. Run by the nonprofit Population & Community Development…
Chiang Rai Province
One kilometre north of Sop Ruak on a 40-hectare plot opposite the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation has established the…
Chiang Rai Province
Wat Rong Khun’s construction began in 1997 by noted Thai painter turned architect Chalermchai Kositpipat. It's a striking structure that, from a distance,…
Chiang Rai Province
The bizarre brainchild of Thai National Artist Thawan Duchanee, and a rather sinister counterpoint to Wat Rong Khun, Baandam unites several structures,…
Chiang Rai
This temple dates back to the late 14th century, and its oldest surviving original buildings are typical Northern Thai–style wooden structures with low,…
Chiang Rai
Originally called Wat Pa Yia (Bamboo Forest Monastery) in the local dialect, this is the city’s most revered Buddhist temple. The main prayer hall is a…
Chiang Rai
This slightly zany private museum houses an impressive collection of paraphernalia from virtually every corner of the former Lanna kingdom. The items,…
Chiang Rai Province
About 200m from the Pratu Chiang Saen (the historic main gateway to the town’s western flank) are the remains of Wat Pa Sak, where the ruins of seven…
Chiang Rai Province
Inside the grounds of this active wát near the river stands a magnificent Lanna-period chedi. The large square base contains Lanna-style walking Buddhas…
Chiang Rai Province
Located 3km south of town in the village of Sop Kham, this Buddhist temple complex contains a large prayer hall built to cover a partially excavated…
Chiang Rai Province
Take the steps up the hill near the border to Wat Phra That Doi Wao for superb views over the Myanmar border town of Tachileik. The wát was reportedly…
Chiang Rai Province
Displays on Shan culture and history and on Khun Sa, the narco-warlord known as the Opium King, can be seen at the Khunsa Museum, located in Khun Sa's…
Wat Phra That Chom Kitti & Wat Chom Chaeng
Chiang Rai Province
The remains of Wat Phra That Chom Kitti and Wat Chom Chaeng can be found about 2.5km northwest of town on a hilltop. The round chedi of Wat Phra That Chom…
Chiang Rai Province
A tiny but busy and vibrant morning market convenes at the T-intersection near Shin Sane Guest House. The market attracts town residents and hill peoples…
Chiang Rai Province
To soak up the great views from Wat Santikhiri, go past the market and ascend 718 steps (or take the road if you have a motorbike or car). The wát is of…
Chiang Rai Province
Housing archaeological artefacts from the area, Buddha imagery and exhibitions about the local hill peoples, this is an impressive museum despite its…
Chiang Rai
Cross the Mae Fah Luang Bridge (located just northwest of the city centre) to the northern side of Mae Nam Kok and you’ll come to a turn-off for both Tham…
Chiang Rai Province
This small but informative museum features historical displays pertaining to opium culture. Exhibits include the various implements used in the planting,…
Chiang Rai
King Mengrai, Chiang Rai’s founder, first surveyed the site for the city from this peak, just west of contemporary Chiang Mai’s centre. The Lanna-style…
Chiang Rai
This temple appears contemporary but probably dates back at least 500 years. Extensive remodelling in the early 1990s has left several structures in the…
Chiang Rai
The seven-spired chedi (stupa) at Wat Jet Yot is similar to that of its Chiang Mai namesake but is without stucco ornamentation. Of more aesthetic…
Chiang Rai Province
Dating to 2002, this is one of Thailand’s youngest national parks. The area is home to waterfalls and, most notably, a hot spring. The latter is a short…
Chiang Rai Province
The ruins of the Buddhist Wat Chedi Luang feature an 18m octagonal chedi (stupa) in the classic Chiang Saen or Lanna style. Archaeologists argue about its…
Chinese Martyr’s Memorial Museum
Chiang Rai Province
South of the turn-off to the KMT general’s tomb is the Chinese Martyr’s Memorial Museum, a Chinese-style building that houses some underwhelming displays…
Chiang Rai Province
The hot water from this natural spring has been redirected into a communal pool; for a more private experience, rooms are also available (50B to 80B). Ban…
Chiang Rai Province
Wat Prathat Pukhao provides the best viewpoint of the Mekong junction of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. There are steps up to the temple next to the House of…
Chiang Rai Province
An all-day market forms at the southern end of town and unites vendors selling hill-people's handicrafts, shops selling tea and a few basic restaurants.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai's 'main' clock tower lights up at night and is a popular photo opportunity.
Chiang Rai Province
The first sight you’ll inevitably see in Sop Ruak is Phra Chiang Saen Si Phaendin, a giant Buddha statue financed by a Thai-Chinese foundation. The statue…
