According to wholevehicles, Chiang Rai is the capital of the province of the same name in northern Thailand. This is one of the most peaceful and uncrowded resorts in the country, tourists usually come here for a few hours on their way to the Golden Triangle, and locals usually come only in the evenings. There are few attractions in Chiang Rai and the infrastructure also does not shine with variety, but it is quiet, calm and very beautiful here, and it is also from here that it is most convenient to go to the northern part of the country, as well as to neighboring Myanmar and Laos.

How to get to Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai International Airport is located 8 km from the city center. Thai Airways operates several daily flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. The duration of the flight is about 1 hour 20 minutes. In addition, daily flights from the Thai capital to Chiang Rai are operated by Orient Thai Airlines (One-Two-Go).

Bus service connects Chiang Rai with Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Travel time from Chiang Mai is 3-4 hours, from Bangkok – about 10 hours.

Transport

Public transport is represented by tuk-tuks and songthaews, there are also taxis, but there are not many of them. Introductory walks around the city are best done on foot, but for trips around the provinces, you can rent a car or motorcycle. In Chiang Rai, there are offices of both international and local rental offices. Given the peculiarities of local traffic, tourists are strongly advised to rent a car with a driver – it will not cost much more.

Shopping and shops

For shopping, you can go to the Night Bazaar, which is located in the city center near the bus station. Here you can buy silk clothes, various handicrafts, bed linen and other souvenirs.

Entertainment and attractions in Chiang Rai

To the northeast of Chiang Rai, on the banks of the Mekong River, lies the ancient capital of Chiang Saen, famous for the temples of Wat Phra That Chom Kitty, Phra That Doi Tung, Chedi Wat Pa Sak and Chedi Luang, and also with its rich local history museum. Immediately outside the city begins the famous “Golden Triangle” – an area near the borders with Burma and Laos, the cradle of Thai civilization.

hill tribe museum

The Hilltribe Museum is located in the very center of the city and was created to study the life and culture of the hill tribes of Thailand. The exhibits of the museum reflect the lifestyle of the tribes: housing, various tools and utensils, equipment and weapons for hunting, fishing and farming. The educational center, which is open at the museum, organizes sightseeing tours, and all the money collected for this goes to the livelihood of the tribes.

• Museum Address: 620/1 Tanalai Rd, Chiang Rai
• phone: 053-740-088
• Working hours: from 8:00 to 18:00 (weekdays) and from 10:00 to 18:00 (weekends and holidays).
• entrance: 50 THB.

Museum of the Golden Cup

The Golden Bowl Museum (Oub Kham Museum) is located 1 km from the center of Chiang Rai. The museum’s collection includes items that were used in the royal courts of northern Thailand, as well as northeast Burma, southwest China, and Vietnam.

• Museum Address: 81/1 Na Khai Road, Tambon Rob Wiang, Chiang Rai
• phone: 053-713-349
• work schedule: from 08:00 to 17:00
• entrance: adults – 300 THB, children – 100 THB.

Ho-Wattanatam-Nitat Museum

The Ho Watthanatham Nithat Museum is located in the City Hall. Museum exhibits: written accounts of the history, literature, culture and customs of the indigenous peoples of Thailand, as well as documents and royal decrees from the reign of Princess Mother Doi Tung.

• work schedule: from 08:30 to 15:30.