I had 3 wonderful nights in Chiang Rai, so in this article, I will share with you my itinerary for how to spend 2-3 days in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I’ll also help you to find out how many days you need in Chiang Rai. Let’s get started!
Chiang Rai is one of the three top tourist destinations in North Thailand, along with Chiang Mai and Pai. This city is known for its beautiful temples, ethnic villages, and stunning landscapes. It is a great base to explore the Golden Triangle and Tea Plantations.
How Many Days in Chiang Rai is enough?
In my opinion, 2 to 3 days is enough to see major attractions in Chiang Rai. Within 2 full days in Chiang Rai, I was able to see the most famous sights in one day by taking the sightseeing tour and doing the trekking on another full day.
If you rent a scooter and car, you can easily explore everything at your own pace. If you travel without renting a scooter, I recommend taking a guided sightseeing tour, which is the easiest way to explore Chiang Rai. By taking a tour, you don’t have to worry how to get transport to each attraction.
Here are my recommend on what to do and how to spend your time in Chiang Rai:
#1. Major attractions of Chiang Rai. This can be explored within one full day by taking a group sightseeing tour. They advertise this tour all over Chiang Rai. You’ll likely see posters for it on every corner. You can easily book it online, from your hotel or local travel agencies in Chiang Rai.
Within a day, you will see the most popular sights such as White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House, Karen Long Neck Village, Tea Plantation, Golden Triangle, and Opium Museum.
#2. Trekking Tour. I highly recommend taking the trekking tour in Chiang Rai. You will see so many things along the trek, including waterfalls, tea plantations, and rice fields, as well as hill tribe villages such as Lisu, Chinese, Akha, and Lahu. The bamboo lunch cooking is one of the highlights of the tour.
See more: Top 14 Things to Do & See in Chiang Rai
Getting to Chiang Rai:
Chiang Rai is easily reachable by air and by road. There is no train station in Chiang Rai. It has an airport located 10 km north of the town center, as well as two bus terminals, one located in the town center and one located on the outskirts 7 km south of the city center.
From Chiang Mai, you can take a bus to Chiang Rai. It is only a 3 hour drive away. Green Bus Company is a popular bus operator between two cities. Bus departs from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 and arrives at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, located right in the city center of Chiang Rai.
Getting Around Chiang Rai:
You can get around the city by walking, taking guided tours, hiring private drivers, or renting a scooter. The city center, which is the area around the Clock tower, is relatively small, you can get around on foot. For attractions on the outskirts, you can use tuk tuk and rent a motorbike to explore.
If you don’t drive, I highly recommend taking an organized tour to further places like the Golden triangle, Doi Tung area, and plantation area. They will handle all the transport and guide you around.
See more: How to get to Chiang Rai and Get Around
Best time to visit Chiang Rai:
The best time to travel to Chiang Rai is from November to February, which is part of the dry season and has pleasant weather. March to May is also the dry season but it’s very hot, sometimes reaching 40°C .
The rainy season is from June to October. This is a great time to visit Chiang Rai if you want to experience greener scenery and less tourist crowds. The downside is that heavy rains can sometimes interrupt your travel plans.
Top areas to stay in Chiang Rai for tourists:
The most convenient location to stay in Chiang Rai is the city center. This is the area around the Clock tower where you can find the night market, walking street, and the bus terminal 1. City Center has many accommodations for all budgets.
For a more relaxing atmosphere and resort style accommodations, you can consider staying along Kok River. This river is located north of the city center around 1-3 km away. You can check more detail at Best Areas to Stay in Chiang Rai.
Here are the brief of my 2-3 Days in Chiang Rai:
How to Spend 2-3 Days In Chiang Rai Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Chiang Rai City Center
I came to Chiang Rai from Pai. I took a minivan at 7am in Pai Walking Street and arrived at my hotel in Chiang Rai at 3pm. The minivan stopped at the White Templele for 20 minutes, then it terminated at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, located 6 km away from the City Center.
From Bus Station, I took a Grab Taxi to get to Chiang Rai city center. It cost 100 baht, and it was a 10 minute ride away.
Chiang Rai Clock Tower
After checking in the hotel, I rested a bit in the room then headed outside for little exploration. I walked to The Clock Tower, which is a popular landmark located in a busy roundabout in the city center.
The clock was built to honor the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was designed by a famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. You can spend time at the side of the road and take photos of it. I recommend coming back again in the evening (at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm) to see its light and sound show.
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is located right next to the Bus Terminal 1 and is only 10 minutes walk from the Clock Tower. It is open daily from 6pm to 11pm.
Here you can find souvenir shops, massage shops, restaurants, bars, and a food court with live music.
In the food section, you can try all kinds of Thai food such as mango sticky rice, pad thai, fried rice, Khao Soi, seafood, or even Thai-style hot pot for one. I tried the hot pot and it was quite tasty.
Day 2: Full Day Sightseeing Tour
On this 2nd day in Chiang Rai, I will take a full day sightseeing tour. I booked it with my hotel. This tour will take me to White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House, Karen Long Neck Village, Tea Plantation, Golden Triangle, and Opium Museum. The tour was from 8-8.30am to 7-8pm.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Our first stop of the sightseeing tour is Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple. The White temple is one of the top attractions of Chiang Rai, known for its white exterior, intricate carvings and mirrored glass. It is located 14 km south of Chiang Rai City center, around a 20 minute drive.
We spent 40 minutes at the temple grounds exploring the main temple, the golden building, the bell, and many other structures in the complex. There are souvenir shops and restaurants near the temple. I had breakfast at one of those restaurants.
It is free if you just want to see the temple from outside. If you want to go inside the hall of the white temple, you need to buy a ticket. It is 100 baht per person. The temple is open daily from 8am to 5pm.
Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
Wat Rong Suea Ten, also known as the Blue Temple, is located 15 km from Wat Rong Khun, about a 25 minute drive away. The Blue Temple is known for its striking blue and golden color, intricate designs, and unique architectural features.
This is a new temple with modern architecture. Construction began in 2005 and was completed in 2016. There is a large white Buddha statue inside the main building of the Blue Temple, souvenir shops, as well as a toilet on the complex.
The temple is open daily from 7am to 8pm. It is free to enter. We spent 50 minutes at the Blue Temple, which is enough to see all the statues and enjoy its architecture.
Baan Dam Museum (Black House)
Baan Dam Museum, also known as the Black House, is located around 10 km from the Blue Temple, around 15 minutes drive away.
The museum is home to numerous black buildings that have traditional Thai and Lanna style architecture. You will see a collection of skulls and bones inside the main building.
The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are 80 baht per person. We spent 40 minutes at Baan Dam Museum and were able to see most things including the houses, paintings, and sculptures.
Long Neck Karen Village
Long Neck Karen Village is located just 10 minutes drive from the Black House Museum. The village is home to the Karen ethnic group, which is known for the women who wear heavy neck rings to protect them from potential harm.
Long Neck Karen Village is open daily from 7am to 7pm. The entrance ticket is 300 baht. Some people feel uncomfortable visiting this village, while others enjoy exploration. You can choose to skip this place and wait outside for other people to have a look.
Choui Fong Tea Plantation
Choui Fong Tea Plantation is one of the must-see attractions in Chiang Rai, especially if you are tea lovers. It is located 40 km north of Chiang Rai City center.
You can do tea tasting, buy different tea products to bring home, and just enjoy the views of the tea plantation from its cafe. I ordered a green tea ice cream and it felt very refreshing. We spent 40 minutes at Choui Fong Tea Plantation, and I think it is enough to explore the area.
Golden Triangle Viewpoint
Golden Triangle is one of the top places to visit while in Chiang Rai. It is located around 1 hour drive from the tea plantation. The Golden Triangle is the intersection of three countries Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma). It is best known for its association with the opium trade in the past.
The Golden Triangle Viewpoint has breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and rivers. We spent 20 minutes at the viewpoint, enjoying the views, and exploring Wat Phra That Doi Pu Khao nearby.
House of Opium Museum
Opium Museum is just a minute drive down from the Golden Triangle Viewpoint. I spent 20 minutes inside the museum to learn about the history of the opium trade, how it affected the local cultures, and the impact it had on the countries in the Golden Triangle region.
After that, I walked outside toward the bank of the Mekong River. Here you can find big Budhha statues, beautiful views of the River and Laos. There are many boat ticket booths here where you can take a boat along the river.
Day 3: Full Day Trekking Tour
On my 3rd day in Chiang Rai, I took a trekking Tour with bamboo cooking. The trekking route includes several waterfalls, rubber plantations, tea plantations, rice fields, and ethnic villages such as Lisu, Chinese, Akha, and Lahu.
Chiang Rai Jungle Trekking and Bamboo Cooking
The tour picked me up at my hotel in Chiang Rai City center around 9am, and we arrived at the starting point of the hiking trail around 10am. It was somewhere near the Kok River and Pha Soet Hot Spa.
At the beginning, we walked through the lush forest, rubber plantations, bamboo, corn fields, and tea plantations. The jungle was still a bit wet in the morning and there were lots of mosquitoes, be sure to bring insect spray with you or wear long pants.
After two hours trekking, we took a quick break at the first village, Lisu Village. Then we stopped at a convenience store in a Chinese village at Doi Hang to buy some water and snacks. After that, we passed tea plantations, and a lemongrass farm.
We reached the lunch area around 1pm. The staff in the team already prepare most of the food. When we arrived, we helped them cut some meat, fruits, and crack the egg.
It is one of the best meals I had in Thailand. There is grilled pork, scrambled eggs, sticky rice, and tom yum soup. They also make great fresh Oolong tea from the tea leaf they picked on the trail.
Everything was made from bamboo, from chopsticks, bowls, cups, and a selfie stick. Some of us brought these things home as souvenirs.
After lunch, we headed to Huai Kaeo Waterfall. It was very slippery around the waterfall. We just rested and took some photos. I didn’t see anyone swim here.
We continued our hike to a coffee shop, Bamboo Bar, in Akha Village. The cafe has stunning views of the surrounding mountains. There were small souvenir shops selling local handicraft at the cafe.
We passed Lahu village and went to the ending point around 4pm. The car picked us back to Chiang Rai, and stopped at a convenience store along the way.
Massage at Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
After 6-7 hours of trekking, I really need a foot massage. I headed to Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and had a foot massage at a stall near the foot court. It was 250 baht for one hour, as I remember it exactly.
Light Show at Chiang Rai Clock Tower
This is my last night in Chiang Rai. I didn’t want to miss the light show at the clock tower, So I prepared to reach the tower around 8pm to watch it. The traffic was not busy at the time, and there were people (like me) standing on the side road watching and taking photos of it.
The tower is illuminated in vibrant colors, and the lights are synchronized with traditional Thai music and contemporary tunes. The light show lasts for a few minutes, creating a magical atmosphere with the flashing lights, changing colors, and melodies.
Day 4: Bus to Chiang Mai/ Other things to do
I left on the 4th morning to Chiang Mai. I booked a ticket from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 with GreenBus Company. If you still have time in Chiang Rai, here are some other things you can do:
#1. Doi Tung area: Doi Tung is an area located north of Chiang Rai, and is known for its palaces and gardens. You can visit Fah Luang Garden and MaeTree Top Walk.
#2. Mae Sai: This is the northernmost city of Thailand, bordering Myanmar. It is a 1.5 hours drive from Chiang Rai. Here, you can shop at Shop at Mae Sai Market, Visit Wat Phra That Doi Wao, and Mae Sai Border.
#3. Phu Chi Fah: This is a great place to go trekking and enjoy the sunrise. It is a two hour drive from Chiang Rai, so if you want to catch the sunset, you have to leave Chiang Rai around 2 am.
This is my itinerary on how to spend 2-3 days in Chiang rai and my opinion on how long is enough to stay in Chiang Rai. I believe that 2-3 days is usually enough to see highlights of the city. The best ways to do it is to take a full day sightseeing tour and a full day trekking tour.