Chiang Rai attractions, activities and sights to see include the Night Bazaar, Museums, Temples, Art Galleries and much more. Aside from shopping and culture, there are nearby hot springs, massage & spas and much more!
Clock Tower
Chalermchai Kositpipat (Wat RongKhun) style, located in the centre of town.
The clock provides a special display at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm at which times it chimes the hours, and then to a coloured lighting sequence, accompanied by music, a lotus bud rises in the centre panel, and the petal unfurl to a full bloom position before retracting…
The Clock Tower is a focal point for New Year countdown celebrations, as per the video above..
Kok River Boat Trips
Take a long-tail boat ride into the mountains. Trip durations are based on points of interest; the Karen Elephant Camp, Phasaert Hot Springs, hill tribe villages, Thaton etc.
The 130km long Kok River flows through the town of Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai Beach is on the riverbank on the edge of towns, a popular local picnic spot in Hot Season. Long-tailed boat trips cruise can be made from Chiang Rai, upriver as far as Thaton. Stops can be made at Akha, Lisu, Lahu and Karen hill tribe villages along the way. Elephant rides are also available at Ruamit elephant Village.
For more information, contact Chiang Rai Pier Tel: 0 5375 0009.
Alternatively, start from Thaton (on Highway 107, Chiang Mai province). Traveling east to Chiang Rai, the down-stream boat trip takes approximately four hours non-stop. Trips by bamboo raft takes 3 days and 2 nights.
Contact Thaton Boat Club: Tel: 0 5345 9427
Hot Springs
Hot springs are tucked away off the main highways, and are neither well advertised, promoted nor sign-posted.
Ban Dhu
5kms west of the Ban Dhu Market which is in turn located 10kms north of Chiang Rai.
Phasaert
16 kms up the road on the south side of the Kok River.
Museums
- Cultural Hall Museum
- Haw Shan Art Gallery
- Hilltribe Museum and Education Center
- Lanna Museum
- Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park
- Oub Kham Museum
- Princess Mother ’90 Museum
- The Chiang Rai Cultural Center
- The Sirindhorn Chinese Language & Culture Center
King Mengrai the Great Memorial
Located on the town on the Ha Yaek intersection of the Superhighway and Singhaclai Road. King Mengrai was the ruler of Nakhon Hiran Ngoen Yang (an ancient town on the bank of the Mae Khong around Chiang Saen) before Chiang Rai was established as the administrative centre in 1262. He consolidated his power by merging the northern cities and founded the Lanna Thai Kingdom in 1296 with Chiang Mai as the capital.
The King Mengrai Stupa
In front of Wat Ngam Mueang atop Doi Ngam Mueang in Muang district was built by King Chaisongkram to contain the remains of his father (King Mengrai).
Khun Kon Waterfall
Namtok Khun Kon National Park – take Highway 1211 from town. After 18 kilometres, turn right at the signposted road and the park is approximately 12 kilometres into the hills. Alternatively, go along Highway No. 1 (Chiang Rai-Phayao) for about 11 kilometres (to Wat Rong Khun) and turn right. Turn left onto Highway 1211, and right at the signposted road to the waterfall / park.
There is a 30-minute / 1.4 km walk up a steep but pleasant forest trial to the highest and most scenic waterfall in Chiang Rai Province. Khun Kon has a 70 metre fall.
Ban Ja Lae Museum
Ban Ja Lae is a hilltribe village with an interesting history, accesible at the Ban Ya Lae Museum, built in 2002 by the Mirror Art Foundation and Ja Lae villagers.
Learn a little about the tribal culture of Akha and Lahu- the museum opens daily from 8 am till 5 pm (except on Wednesdays). Entry Fee: THB 20 per person.
