Chiang Rai is above sea level and surrounded by grassy plains, jungle canopies, and rivers which keep the valley cooler with lower humidity than other places in Thailand.
The best time to visit Chiang Rai is from October to February as the weather is much cooler and less humid. The average annual temperature is around 24 ℃, but it can go as high as 36 ℃, and as low as 10-15 ℃, depending on the more warmer or cooler seasons. Winters are an excellent time to trek and go on a cruise.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Bus
Cost: Roughly around $4-10 (130-300 THB) one way.
Trip length: 3 hours (Direct)
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Private Tour
Cost: Depends on the tour as they are tailored to what you want.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by Motorcycle
Cost: From $3 (100THB) per day, depending on what bike you rent.
Trip length: At least 3.5 hours.
Chiang Rai Clock Tower
Location: At the junction of Phaholyothin, Jet Yod and Banpaprakan Roads
Hill-Tribes Museum and Education Centre
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Mon – Fri); 10:00 – 18:00 (weekends and public holidays).
Location: 3rd floor PDA Building, on Thanalai Road.
King Mengrai the Great Monument
Location: Phaholyothin Road.
The Naval City Pillar
Location: On Doi Thong, Arj-Amnuay Road.
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong
Location: On Doi Thong, Arj-Amnuay Road.
Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao
Northern Noodle Curry
Chilli Dips
Unripe Jackfruit Curry
Address: 123 Moo 22, Tambon Robwiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai.
Cabbages & Condoms (C&C)
Opening Hours: 10:00 – midnight (live music 12:00 – 14:00 and 19:00 – midnight).
Location: Thanalai Road, first floor of the PDA Chiang Rai building.
Roti Pa Yai
Address: Thanon Nasanamkila, Rimkok, Muaeng Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Phu Lae
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00 daily.
Location: Thanalai Road, opposite PDA Chiang Rai.
Saluing Kham
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 daily.
Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai, Thailand
Located near to Chiang Rai City Centre, Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai provides a gateway to explore the varied sights and sounds of the northern region. With easy access to the mountains, forests, rivers, ancient temples, and colorful hill-tribes, many of the region's major attractions are within a day's journey.
Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, Thailand
Le Meridien in Chiang Rai is near the mountains, historic Buddhist temples and hill tribe villages. Its two-level outdoor pool overlooks the magnificent Mae Kok River, while its spa provides pampering massage treatments.
Le Patta Hotel Chiang Rai
Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Le Patta is 100 m from Saturday Night Walking Street. Le Patta is 200m from Chiang Rai Old Bus Station.
Rasa Boutique Hotel Chiang Rai
A 5-minute walk to the lively Walking Street, Rasa Boutique Hotel Chiang Rai offers Moroccan-inspired rooms with free Wi-Fi.
Chiang Rai Herbs Shop
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 21:00.
Location: Prasopsuk Road, opposite the bus terminal.
Chiang Rai Walking Street
Opening Hours: 16:00 – midnight.
Location: Thanalai Road, from Tung Garden to Chiang Rai Vocational College.
Hill-Tribe Museum Souvenir Shop
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Mon – Fri); 10:00 – 18:00 (weekends and public holidays).
Location: 3rd floor PDA Building, on Thanalai Road.
Local Products Promotion Centre
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 21:00
Location: Uttarakit Road, behind King Mengrai the Great Monument.
Caves
Visiting Chiang Rai, you need to try Chiang Rai’s Wat Tham Pla. Inside, the cave is pitch black, with two large chambers housing a Burmese-style bejeweled Buddha image.
Trekking and Elephant Trekking
Wilderness jungle, multi-tier waterfalls, endless winding paths and a sense of discovery all combine to make trekking a must-do activity among adventurous types.
Waterfalls
Almost waterfalls in Chiang Rai are within national parks. Just 17km from the city center, Khun Korn Waterfall is the tallest and the most spectacular waterfall in Chiang Rai.
Mae Kok River Journey
Opening Hours: 06:30 – 16:30 daily.
Location: C.R. Pier, under Mae Fah Luang Bridge.
Bar Lamyai
This bar setup has a few outdoor wooden tables and a pool corner. There is not much to the food menu, the main focus here is on the reasonably-priced drinks.
Location: Jet Yod Road, 50 meters from Clock Tower.
Chiang Rai Night
Bazaar Covering four street blocks just southeast of the Clock Tower, Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is a nice diversion from Jet Yod Road’s bar-hopping scene. Apart from shopping, the Night Bazaar has two outdoor stages for cultural performances and a beer garden/food court.
Opening Hours: 18:30 – 23:00 daily
Location: Between Phaholyothin and Prasopsuk Roads, around the bus terminal