Our team had been to Thailand numerous times. Yet, it still has its distinct character that elicits excitement when I think about going to again. For one, I love Thai food — all the signature dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum, Khao Pad, Pad See Eiw, and Som Tam among others. and the street food scene and night or weekend markets? They sure know the name of the game. Secondly, I am always impressed at the beautiful and intricately developed structures, both modern and historic sites. It always feels good to be back. but this time, our team went to explore the northernmost province of Thailand — Chiang Rai.
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
Understanding Chiang Rai
How to get to Chiang RaiFrom Manila
From Bangkok
From Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai airport to City Center
Where to stay in Chiang RaiTop budget hotels in Chiang Rai
Top budget Hostels in Chiang Rai
Search for much more Chiang Rai Hotels!
Getting around Chiang Rai
Internet connection in Chiang Rai
Places to visit in Chiang RaiWat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Wat Rong Seur ten (Blue Temple)
Baan Dam (Black House)
gouden Driehoek
Chiang Khong
Mae Salong
Chiang Rai Food Trip
Sample Chiang Rai Itinerary
More Chiang Rai suggestions for the poor Traveler
Frequently Asked questions about Chiang RaiWhen is the best time to visit Chiang Rai?
Is it safe in Chiang Rai?
How does Chiang Rai differ from Chiang Mai?
More suggestions on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️Related Posts:
Understanding Chiang Rai
Located on the northern suggestion of Thailand, Chiang Rai province is the area in Thailand which is part of the popularly known area where three countries converge — the golden Triangle. At the junction of the Ruak River and Mekong River, the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (formerly Burma) meet. Particularly, Chiang Rai shares borders with Myanmar (Shan State) to the north, Laos (Bokeo Province) to the east, Chiang Mai province to the west, Phayao province to the south, and Lampang province to the southwest. The capital city/town shares the same name as the province, Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai used to be a part of the Lanna Kingdom. In 1262, King Meng Rai made it the first capital of the Lanna Kingdom. “Chiang” implies city in Thai, so Chiang Rai literally implies City of (King) Rai. The capital was then changed to Chiang Mai (New City) and because then, it has become the economic and tourism hub of northern Thailand. Chiang Rai is much more laidback compared to the neighboring Chiang Mai, but it has it possesses a distinct character brought about by the presence of several ethnic groups, including the hill tribes. There are a lot of temples and museums, showcasing the customs and tradition.
Aside from the peculiar indigenous culture and antiquities, Chiang Rai boasts its countryside and mountainous region. A majority of the tourists concerning Chiang Rai head to the mountains for trekking, nature tripping, trail running, chasing waterfalls, dipping in hot springs, and finding good viewpoints among others.
Here are other facts you need to know:
Language: Thai and Kham Muang. aside from the Thai language, Kham Muang is also widely spoken, particularly by the majority of the ethnic population in Chiang Rai. It is closely related to Lao/Laotian, but much more on central Thai. compared to central Thai, the people of Chiang Rai (and northern Thailand in particular) speak relatively slower or unhurried.
Currency: Thai Baht (THB, ฿). THB100 is roughly USD 3, EUR 2.9, SGD 4.5, PHP 170 (as of August 2019).
Modes of payment: Cash. Some restaurants and hotels accept credit report card transactions, but smaller establishments choose cash.
ATMs: There are numerous ATMs in Chiang Rai, but many of them are concentrated in the capital — Chiang Rai City. ATMs are located in front of the banks, commercial complexes, and even inside 7/11 stores.
Electricity Info: 220V AC electricity. many of the sockets have two holes that can accommodate both flat and round pins. Compatible plugs are type A, C, and F.
How to get to Chiang Rai
From Manila
From Manila, there’s no direct flight to Chiang Rai. Bangkok will be your jump-off point. numerous airline companies are flying the Manila-Bangkok route. You will either arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) or Don Mueang airport (DMK). The former (BKK) is the newer and bigger airport and serves many international flights, both long-haul and short-haul. It also handles domestic flights. buddy and Cebu Pac flights land here. The latter (DMK) also handles international flights but the majority is domestic. This is also the hub of inexpensive carriers. If you are flying through Air Asia, you will many likely land here.
If you want to spend a day or two in Bangkok before going to Chiang Rai, you should give an allowance of one to two hours travel time to the city center as rush hour traffic is notorious. If you are traveling between these two airports for a connecting or transfer flight, you should note thatthe two airports are very far from each other. allot 45 minutes to two hours (depending on the time and traffic condition) travel time.
From Bangkok
Bangkok Airways
Bangkok is one of the transportation and tourism hubs in Southeast Asia. many tourists, particularly backpackers choose the capital city as their set-off point to other parts of Thailand and even the neighboring countries. Chiang Rai is over 800km north of Bangkok. From the capital, you can reach Chiang Rai by plane, by bus, and by train. We have a comprehensive post about this here, how to get to Chiang Rai from Bangkok, but here’s a summary.
PER VLIEGTUIG
The fastest and many convenient option. You might even score cheap flights, which makes this even much more appealing to some. The primary gateway to Chiang Rai by air is Mae Fah Luang international airport (CEI), formerly named Chiang Rai international Airport. Although located in the capital, Chiang Rai City, it will take you 15-20 minutes to reach the city center as the airport is located about 8km from there.
Many airline companies offer the Bangkok-Chiang Rai route, connecting it to either Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport. one of the recognized and reliable airlines is Bangkok Airways, a Skytrax awardee for 2019 best regional airline not only in Thailand but also in Asia. The reflected fare is inclusive of in-flight meal/snack and totally free 20kg baggage allowance. If you are flying Bangkok Airways, your point of departure is Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK). The flight duration is 1-1.5 hours.
MET DE BUS
The less expensive option but takes longer travel time. In Chiang Rai City, there are two bus terminal: the old one called Bus terminal 1 and the new one called Bus terminal 2. Bus terminal 1 is located in the city center, near the night Bazaar. Bus terminal 2 is located 7km from the city center. If you are coming from Bangkok, your bus will many likely terminate at terminal 2. Some buses make a stop here first, then terminate at Bus terminal 1.
From Bangkok, go to Mo Chit Bus terminal (Northern Bus Terminal), near Chatuchak Market. The nearest BTS station is the Mo Chit Station.
At the Mo Chit Bus Terminal’s departure section, purchase your ticket. The fare ranges from THB 400 to THB 900, depending on the type of bus and season. during high season (November-May), it is highly recommended to purchase in advance. For convenience, you may also book online through 12Go, where you can compare the fares of the different bus companies providing the route.
Board your bus and alight at either Chiang Rai Bus terminal 1 or 2. The travel time is 10-12 hours for the overnight bus and 12-14 hours for the day bus. many travelers choose the night bus to save money and time. If you want to see the beautiful drive, you may choose the day bus. Het is aan jou.
MET DE TREIN
There’s no railway directly linking Chiang Rai to Bangkok. The nearest station is located in Chiang Mai or Lampang. You may check state railway of Thailand for the fares and schedule.
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the train ride will take 11-13 hours, depending on the type of train. then from Chiang Mai, you need to board a bus to Chiang Rai. The bus ride takes 2-4 hours. Train fare: THB 120-600. Bus fare: THB 300.
From Bangkok to Lampang Station, the train ride will take 9-11 hours, depending on the train type. then from there, board a bus to Chiang Rai. The bus ride takes 3-5 hours. Train fare: THB 100-500. Bus fare: around THB 400.
From Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a neighboring province of Chiang Rai. It is the economic and cultural hub of northern Thailand. In terms of traveler volume, Chiang Mai by far busier as the economy is primarily driven by tourism. Although Chiang Rai is slowly acquiring the attention of tourists, it is still pretty much laidback compared to Chiang Mai. many of Chiang Rai’s visitors are coming from Chiang Mai, typically on a day tour. some of the ways you can reach Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai are by bus, private transfer or trip package. There’s no railway system connecting these two points. We also have a comprehensive post about this here, how to get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai. Here’s a quick rundown.
MET DE BUS
Go to Arcade Bus station on the eastern end of Kaew Nawarat Road, 3km from Chiang Mai City center. note that there are three bus terminals in Chiang Mai City. You need to go to Bus terminal 2 and 3, collectively called Arcade Bus Station/Terminal. These two are located across each other.
Purchase your ticket. the most reliable and popular bus company among tourists is the Greenbus. It’s ticket counter/office is at Bus terminal 3.
Get your queue number and wait for your turn. When your number is called, go to the ticket counter and purchase your ticket. The fare ranges from THB 130 to THB 300, depending on the type of bus — express or VIP. rates may vary depending on the season. It’s best to book in advancement online during high season. 12Go is the most trusted booking site.
Get on yOnze bus en in brandschap bij Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 of 2. De reistijd is 2-4 uur, afhankelijk van het seizoen en de verkeersconditie.
Door privéoverdracht
Anderen kiezen ervoor om een privéoverdracht te boeken tussen Chiang Mai en Chiang Rai. Dit is misschien veel handiger voor diegenen die als groep reizen. Klook biedt een privéoverdrachtspakket met huis-aan-huis hoteloverdracht en een professionele Engelstalige bestuurder. U kunt kiezen tussen een auto of een busje.
Foto aangeboden door Klook
✅ Boek privéoverdracht tussen Chiang Rai en Chiang Mai hier
Per reispakket
Er zijn reisoperators en reisbureaus in Chiang Mai die een dagtocht naar Chiang Rai aanbieden. U kunt lid worden van een groep of een privé -tour boeken. Klook maakt ook reizen samen naar Chiang Rai van Chiang Mai. De routes omvatten meestal de gouden driehoek, witte tempel, blauwe tempel en zwart huis. Veel van de pakketten zijn inclusief lunch. Klook geeft doorgaans gereduceerde tarieven.
Chiang Rai Airport naar het stadscentrum
Hoewel gelegen in de hoofdstad, ligt Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport nog steeds op 8 km afstand van het stadscentrum. Het goede nieuws is dat luchthavenbussen/shuttles nu beschikbaar zijn. Lanceerde oktober 2018, dit maakte Chiang Rai veel toegankelijker. Andere vervoerwijzen zijn vooraf betaalde taxi, meter taxi en particuliere autoverhuur.
Luchthavenbus. Dit is de meest betaalbare optie. Draai na aankomst naar links naar links. U zult directionele tekenen zien die u naar het instapplatform wijzen. De route loopt tussen de luchthaven en Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2. Het dekt deze stops: King Meng Rai Monument, The Night Bazaar, Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, Central Plaza en ten slotte, Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2. Het tarief is vastgesteld op THB 20. Het begint om 06:00 uur en eindigt om 23.30 uur.
Pre-betaalde taxi. Dit is vergelijkbaar met taxi’s met vaste rente in de Filippijnen. Het tarief naar het stadscentrum vanaf de luchthaven is THB 200.
Meter taxi. Het meter-Taxi-station bevindt zich net buiten de uitgang van de aankomst. Draai naar links naar links terwijl u verlaat. Soms zullen ze weigeren de meter te gebruiken en je gewoon een bedrag geven. Sta erop de meter te gebruiken. Als ze niet toegeven, zoek dan gewoon een andere taxi. Het tarief naar het stadscentrum is THB 120-150.
Private auto -overdracht. De autoverhuurtellers bevinden zich op de eerste verdieping, aan de overkant van het binnenlandse en internationale aankomstgebied. Klook biedt ook privé -luchthavenoverdracht naar uw hotel. Dit is al inclusief een professionele chauffeur. Dit is een mogelijke optie voor degenen die veel bagage hebben of voor mensen met senioren en kinderen.
✅ Boek hier privé -luchthaventransfer
Waar te verblijven in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai wordt vaak doorgegeven door toeristen die grenzen oversteken naar Laos of Myanmar van Chiang Mai. Maar voor degenen die tijd hebben gemaakt om de provincie te verkennen, worden ze beloond met best bewaarde natuurlijke en culturele schatten die vergelijkbaar zijn met andere aangrenzende provincies in Noord-Thailand, maar nog steeds verschillend zijn van Chiang Rai.
Afgezien van de hoofdstad Chiang Rai City, zijn hier enkele van de steden/districten die toeristen als hun basis kiezen, afhankelijk van hun schema en belangen.
Chiang Rai City. De grootste stad in Noord -Thailand. Als hoofdstad vindt u hier tal van commerciële instellingen en winkels. Er zijn ook tempels. Dit is het typische verslagpunt voor dagtochten naar andere delen van de provincie, evenals naar buurlanden Laos en Myanmar. De gerenommeerde witte tempel bevindt zich hier.
Chiang Khong. Sommige toeristen die nog meer naar Laos gaan, kiezen Chiang Khong als basis. Het heeft ook tal van accommodatie -opties, omdat toeristen hier als tussenstop kwamen als een tussenstop voordat ze aan boord van een veerboot naar Laos waren. De vriendschapsbrug bouwde over de Mekong -rivier en verbindt Chiang Khong met Huay Xai Town in de provincie Bokeo in Laos, een nieuwe route tussen Thailand en Laos. Momenteel wordt de veerbootservice naar Laos gestopt.
Mae Sai. Dit is de meest noordelijke stad/stad van Thailand. Andere toeristen doen dagtochten en brengen een nacht door in Mae Sai voordat ze de grens oversteken naar Myanmar.
Mae Salong. Officieel Santikhiri genoemd, staat Mae Salong bekend om zijn heuvels, valleien en theeplantages. Trekking, fietsen,