Thailand Travel - Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai Guide

Chiang Rai Province has so many wonderful things to do. It is a great escape just 1.5 hours flight from Bangkok.

It is a small delightful city, with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

From Chiang Rai there are many great day trips and more within a short drive or taxi ride.

Chiang Rai holds onto its history well. The Lanna identity is preserved though an impressive collection of temples, arts language, food and music.

Wat Rong Khun

AKA the White Temple

This temple is located about 4km south of Chiang Rai City. It is easy to get to, with many public transport options. I tend to hire a scooter while travelling in Thailand and would recommend the same to others.

The temple was created in recent times by a Chiang Rai born artist - Chalermchai Kositpipat. He choose white, rather than gold to honour Buddha and to enhance the sacredness of temples.

The temple itself is filled with Buddhist symbolisms. The physical layout, building design right down to the minute details and decorations.

You enter over a narrow bridge, with hands reaching out from the water as if they are trying to take you in.

From this vantage point you can start to pay attention to the minute details.

Inside you can see 2 Buddha images floating on lotus leaves. This is juxtaposed with elaborately painted murals.

There is much more to explore here and many wonderful photo opportunities. I suggest basking in the shade, soaking up the atmosphere.

The Black House

Aka Baan Dam - Aka the opposite of the White Temple

The Black House sits just a few km north of Chiang Rai. It was built by the former teacher of Kositpipat (the builder of the White Temple).

It isn't really just one building but a collection of over 30 monuments. They include weird and wonderful stuffed animals. Collections of bones.

You will find skeletons of elephants. Numerous skulls. Bear skins and reptile skins.

This is a great chance to get a glimpse of the darker side of some peoples artistic brains. I really would recommend a visit here. If not for the dark, vampire-esk collection for the buildings.

They are built from great big hunks of beautiful dark wood. Truly inspiring architecture and very traditionally Thai with a modern twist.

Chiang Rai City

There are numerous activities to to in the city itself. The most famous monument in the city is the clock tower that sits right in the middle.

This tower was built in 2008 to honour the late King Bhumibhol Adulyadej. Every evening at 7pm, 8pm and 8pm the clock tower comes to life in a light and sound display.

Within the town the hill tribes museum is worth dropping into. It is a great way to get familiarised with the Lanna culture and get up close to traditional crafts.

Beyond the City Limits

There is a great deal todo beyond the city. Hiring a bike and driving upto the mountains is easy and very enjoyable.

On my drive out of the city I discovered a giant Buddha, Buddha's in caves and a beautiful sleepy river with long tailed boats zipping up and down. You can hire these long tailed boats in Chiang Rai and they are a wonderful way to see the countryside.

This Buddha was carved into the rock face - amazing!

There are also options to take trips into the local jungle. These can be arranged in Chiang Rai town from any travel agent. I went on a ATV trip there - pricey but highly enjoyable.

During the ATV trip, you drive, following the leaders to waterfalls, local villages, dark corners of rainforest and other natural sites. Great fun. At the end we enjoyed a lovely traditional meal and view across the jungle.

This waterfall was a good long trek into the jungle.

I spent hours watching locals harvest and store corn.

A man made water store in the jungle. Farmers pumped water from here for their crops nearby.

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