5 Chiang Rai Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss

Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand, is off the radar of tourists. In fact, its western neighbor Chiang Mai is more popular and attracts more tourists.

I visited many spots in Chiang Rai and I can say that I enjoyed the place. We visited temples, an art house, and even climbed a mountain. Chiang Rai has plenty of things to offer and here are the 5 of Chiang Rai attractions that you should not miss.

Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden

Doi Tung is a mountain in Chiang Rai that became the home of the King’s Mother. This is the best place to know more about the royal family through the visit in Royal Villa and the Hall of Inspiration. Another must see attraction in Doi Tung is Mae Fah Luang Garden, which features hundreds of different varieties of flowering plants. Know more about this Chiang Rai attraction by visiting my blog post about Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden.

Phu Chi Fah

Sea mist at Phu Chi Fah (Source: Chiang Rai Times).

Phu Chi Fah is the mountain at the east edge of Chiang Rai. It provides a spectacular view of Laos and the surrounding hill. The best time to visit Phu Chi Fah is in the months of November to January when you can witness a breathtaking view of the sea mist at sunrise.

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

Wat Rong Khun is not a typical Thai temple. This is where you’ll see pop culture icons displayed inside the wat. The best part of Wat Rong Khun is the sea of outstretched hands below the bridge to the main temple. The White Temple is a good place to relax  after visiting thousands of Thai temple in a day. Know more about this Chiang Rai attraction by visiting my blog post about the White Temple in Chiang Rai.

Golden Triangle

(Photo by Deror Avi)

Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. The place is also the area where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River. Golden Triangle became infamous in the past because of its vast plantation of opium.

The Black House

It is not a temple. It is not a set from a horror movie. It is an art house. The Black House was built by the Thai national artist Thawan Duchanee as he tried to interpret the somber parts of Buddhism. The Black House features a long table with snake skins as runners, a room where devil-worshippers can meet, and (my favorite) the big black boar which actually served as the private room of the artist. Know more about this Chiang Rai attraction by visiting my blog post about the Black House.

There are other Chiang Rai attractions like the northernmost Thai town Mae Sai, the hill tribes, and the Mekong River. These attractions, the culture, and the food will make your visit to this northernmost Thai province truly memorable.

Know more about Chiang Rai by reading our adventures in North Thailand.

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Information about Phu Chi Fah and Golden Triangle was obtained from Chiang Rai Sawadee.Com and Wikipedia.

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