City centre
First-timersAround the clock tower.
Chiang Rai city guide
Things To Do In Chiang Rai
The far north of Thailand: a white temple like a wedding cake, a blue temple, a black house of bones and horns, tea hills and the Golden Triangle where three countries meet.
27
Hostels in the city
8.6
Average, from 8,478 reviews
1262
Chiang Rai founded
3
Countries at the Golden Triangle
3 h
To Chiang Mai
Temples of white, blue and black
Chiang Rai was founded in 1262, and it was the first capital of the Lanna kingdom before Chiang Mai. Today it is a small, relaxed city best known for its extraordinary modern temples, built by local artists.
It is also the base for the far north, the mountains, tea plantations and hill villages along the borders with Myanmar and Laos, and the Golden Triangle, where the three countries meet on the Mekong.
Two days is right. It is also the natural crossing point into Laos.
Where to stay
The city centre, around the clock tower and the night bazaar, has the guesthouses, restaurants and bus station, all walkable. The temples are spread around the outskirts, reached by bus, songthaew or scooter.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, in Thailand's far north, is a calm city known for some of the country's most extraordinary modern temples.
Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, by the artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, is a dazzling white and mirrored temple, reached across a bridge over a pit of reaching hands, with murals inside that include superheroes and pop culture. Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, is a sapphire-blue temple with a white Buddha, built by one of his students. Baan Dam, the Black House, is the artist Thawan Duchanee's dark complex of buildings decorated with animal skins and bones.
The clock tower in the centre, also designed by Chalermchai, has a light and music show in the evenings.
The Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the Mekong, has the Hall of Opium museum. Doi Mae Salong, a hill village settled by Chinese Nationalist soldiers, is surrounded by tea plantations.
At Chiang Khong, two hours away, travellers cross to Laos for the slow boat down the Mekong to Luang Prabang.
Free things
Free things to do in Chiang Rai
The Blue Temple is free, and so is the clock tower's evening show and wandering the night bazaar.
The Golden Triangle viewpoint is free. The White Temple and Baan Dam charge small fees for foreigners.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has northern Thai food: khao soi, sai ua sausage and khanom jeen nam ngiao, rice noodles in a spicy tomato and pork broth. The night bazaar's food court and the Saturday walking street have cheap stalls.
Doi Mae Salong's oolong tea is worth tasting. A meal is €1.50 to €4.
Nightlife
Going out in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is quiet at night. The night bazaar, with live music and a food court, is the main evening out, and a few bars line the streets around the clock tower.
A beer is €2 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Chiang Rai
The centre is walkable. Buses reach Chiang Mai in about three hours; the airport has flights to Bangkok. Blue songthaews and buses reach the temples.
The border with Laos is at Chiang Khong, about two hours away, for the slow boat down the Mekong to Luang Prabang.
Costs
What Chiang Rai costs
Chiang Rai is cheap. Dorms start around €6 and a careful day is €18 to €28.
The White Temple is about €3, Baan Dam a few euros, and the Blue Temple free. The bus to Chiang Mai is €4 to €8.
The currency is the baht (THB), at roughly 37 to 40 baht to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 baht per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts. Cards work in cities and resorts; street food is cash or QR payment.
Safety
Staying safe in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is very safe.
The burning season from February to April brings smoke and poor air quality.
Scooter accidents injure more travellers in Thailand than anything else. Only ride if you are licensed and insured for it, and always wear a helmet.
At temples and palaces, cover shoulders and knees, take off your shoes, and never point your feet at a Buddha image.
Since June 2025, cannabis flower has been a controlled substance: visitors may not buy or use it without a prescription from a licensed Thai doctor, even though some shops still operate.
Since 15 September 2026, eligible visitors get 30 days visa-free, for tourism only, extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office, and fewer nationalities qualify, so check whether you now need a visa. All visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arriving.
Tourist Police: 1155. Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance.
Day trips from Chiang Rai
Where three countries meet, tea hills and the road to Laos.
Doi Mae Salong
Tea hills and a Chinese village.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The flower festival brightens the cool season.
Staff pick
26 October
OK Phansa
Ok Phansa in Chiang Rai, Thailand, marks the conclusion of the Buddhist Lent, a significant period when monks remain in their temples for spiritual…
8 November
Ruammit Ultra Trail
Ruammit Ultra Trail 2026 invites trail running enthusiasts to explore the scenic routes around Chiang Rai. The event gathers a vibrant community of runners…
21–24 October
Chiang Rai Tee-Off Cup
The Chiang Rai Tee-Off Cup is a golf event taking place from October 21 to 24, 2026. It includes a pre-tour run by Stuart…
Hostels
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
The top-rated places to stay in Chiang Rai right now, live from Hostelworld.
Together Backpackers Hostel
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Busket Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Get Hi Hostel Chiang Rai
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Social Garden Hostel
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Baan Mai Kradan Hostel Chiang Rai
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Backpack Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Baramee Guesthouse
See dates and book
Bed & Bike Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Grace Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Mercy Hostel
Dorms from €1 a night
See dates and book
BED Friends Poshtel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Stay In Chiangrai
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to February is cool and clear.
Jan
Flower festival
Feb
Smoke begins
Mar
Burning season
Apr
Songkran
May
Rains
Jun
Rainy
Jul
Rainy
Aug
Rainy
Sep
Rainy
Oct
Clearing
Nov
Cool season
Dec
Flower festival
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. The mountains are cooler.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in baht locally; these are euro equivalents.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Chiang Rai travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
What is the White Temple?
Wat Rong Khun, a white and mirrored temple by the artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.
Is the Blue Temple free?
Yes.
How do I get to Laos?
By bus to Chiang Khong, two hours, then across the border for the slow boat to Luang Prabang.
When is the clock tower show?
In the evenings, several times a night.
How many days do you need?
Two.
When is the best time to visit?
November to January.
How do I get there?
By bus from Chiang Mai, about three hours.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Chiang Rai hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.