Chiang Rai is a city in northern Thailand. It is well known for the culture, spirituality, and natural attractions. In 2018 there was a reported population of ~1.29 million living in the area with a rough estimate of 600,000 people living in the metro area. This busy town is a great way to experience Thai culture in an authentic and genuine manner. With such a wide variety of activities, we recommend spending at least 3-4 days to truly experience all the Chiang Rai has to offer. Let’s jump into some of the most amazing outdoor activities the area has to offer!
How to Get To Chiang Rai
Before planning activities, it’s important to know how you plan to get there. A quick list of options is below.
- Take a bus – generally from Chiang Mai or Bangkok (12 hours and ~$20). Check out 12GO to book your ticket.
- Take a flight – Airport is located northeast of town. We like Air Asia and Sky Scanner for tickets.
- Take a taxi – In roughly 3 hours from Chiang Mai you can arrive to Chiang Rai via taxi. Check out Rome2Rio for booking. A taxi will be more than a bus. If you have two people the price might even out to make the private ride worth it.
If taking a bus or flight, make sure you have the Grab app downloaded. This will help you get a ride to your next destination. We prefer to use Grab upon arrival because it reduces the confusion and stress of twenty people trying to get you to take their taxi. It also allows for a good estimate on what the price should be if you decide to take a taxi. Always get your accommodation information pulled up before stepping out to the road to avoid confusion.
Check out Expedia to rent a car for your trip! This is one place we highly recommend having your own transportation. If you plan to arrive and leave by plane, it is super easy to pick up and drop off your rental car at the airport.
Get Out of Chiang Rai Town and Into Nature
The biggest reason to have your own form of transportation is that so many of the coolest places to visit are outside of the town area. Many places range from 30 minutes – 2 hours away. Having a car allows you to make your own itinerary and see all the places you want to go!
Phu Chi Fa
Get out into nature and head to Phu Chi Fa nature area. It is roughly two hours going east from town. To get to the view point, the road is a bit curvy and steep. The parking lot isn’t very big but there is a few shops selling warm clothes. It’s a bit chilly at that elevation so bring a proper coat if possible. The hike to the top is steep and takes roughly 20-30 minutes if you go fast. Arrive early with a flashlight to see an amazing sunrise! A man sits at the bottom selling flashlights as well. This was one of our favorite experiences! Everyone leaves quickly after sunrise so hang out for a bit to get the place more to yourselves. If you go a bit farther up the path, a small statue shows that one side is on Thailand and the other side is on Laos! So technically, you get to visit another country!
Parking: Free but small
Entry: Free
Time: 2 hours
Khun Kon Waterfall
A short waterfall hike will take you to Khun Kon waterfall on the west side of town. The hike is easily done in sneakers or solid back sandals. The water is pretty strong so it isn’t one to swim in. The view is stunning! We arrived somewhat early and had the place to ourselves. Since it is in a large nature park, it is also possible to visit other waterfalls and nature areas. The other waterfall area is closer to the main center and does not require any far walking. They also offer snacks at that spot. Parking is not free in the main area.
Parking: Free at Khun Kon waterfall, paid at the main center (50 Baht)
Entry: Free
Time: 2ish hours
Coffee Plantation
Don’t mind getting lost in the mountains? Check out some of the coffee plantations to the west of town. After multiple attempts to find one and many small towns later, we arrived at the Ma Family Coffee Farm. A great opportunity to glamp in the mountains is provided as well if you plan ahead. Expect some delicious coffee and perhaps a pastry. The area was beautiful but once again chilly due to elevation. We liked this one because they let you walk down through the coffee field that is on the side of the hill.
Parking: Free, very limited
Entry: Cost of coffee
Time: 1 hour
Lalitta Cafe
Though this cafe is man made and more in town, we are still counting it! This lovely jungle themed cafe boasts amazing food and drink plus a gorgeous waterfall. Fulfill your instagram goals of dreamy photos with so many opportunities in the cafe. Upon arrival there is a ticket fee. That ticket is then brought to the front in exchange for a coffee or food. They had tons of sweets and a variety of coffee options. Full meals were also available. There’s tons of seating options for different views.
Parking: Free along the road and across the street in a parking lot
Entry: ~100 baht – added cost if you buy other food
Time: 1 hour
***Hot tip: This cafe is located at the exit road from Wat Huay Pla Kang complex. Plan your visits accordingly to see both amazing spots!***
The Golden Triangle near Chiang Rai
This is one we did not have time for. It is the triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos all meet. This will likely be a mostly full day trip from Chiang Rai due to the distance. Here is a great link that provides a lot of information about visiting the Golden Triangle.
General Recommendations for Chiang Rai
Overall, this is an awesome area of Thailand to visit! We love this area and there is so many fun activities to do here. We recommend having a few things with you during your trip:
- Wear layers including an appropriate cover for visiting temples.
- Tissues and hand sanitizer – necessary for the bathrooms throughout the whole country.
- International Driver’s License – Easy to get, very affordable, and lasts a long time.
- Solid shoes for walking on uneven ground – Chacos or Tevas are great for in town and visiting temples. Solid sneakers are fine for the small hikes mentioned above.
Drop us a comment all about your trip to Thailand. We would love to hear about it!
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