How Long to Spend in Chiang Rai

Visitors to Chiang Rai should budget a minimum of three nights and two full days. This allows enough time to see the primary sites at a relaxed pace and enjoy the quaint downtown area in the evenings. 

The city’s main attractions are spread over a wide area that makes taxis uneconomical. To get the most out of a trip to this gem of the north, a car hire in Chiang Rai is a sensible option. Thankfully, Drive Car Rental hosts a range of vehicles, from compacts to electric vehicles and SUVs. All these options and more are available by the day or long-term for business travellers and long-stay travellers. 

Below are some tips for seeing the city with both a short and a long itinerary. 

Just the Essentials

The city of Chiang Rai is home to several nationally famous sites, including:

• The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
• The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
• The Black Temple (Baan Dam Museum)
• Guan Yin Statue
• Singha Park

The most famous site, without question, is The White Temple. Its gleaming white stucco and mirrored appearance have graced the pages of travel and leisure magazines since its construction in 1997. Seeing the temple and the entirety of the grounds takes sixty to ninety minutes. 

The Blue Temple is a masterpiece of Thai-Buddhist mythology and houses a temple as well as several towering sculptures guaranteed to leave visitors speechless. Visitors typically spend forty-five to sixty minutes here marvelling at all there is to see.

The Black Temple is a museum dedicated to the legendary Thai artist Thawan Duchanee. It sits on sprawling grounds just north of Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. Several buildings house unique works of macabre art and furniture designed by the artist himself. Expect to spend at least ninety minutes here if you want to see everything. 

To the northwest of downtown and across the River Kok is the towering statue of Guan Yin, the Buddhist goddess. The seated Guan Yin is ninety metres tall, and she is made even more impressive thanks to being constructed on a large hill.

This statue can be seen from several points in the city, and is most noticeable when it is lit up at night. Worshippers and tourists usually spend one or two hours exploring the statue and the surrounding religious buildings. 

Finally, Singha Park covers a vast area dotted with small roads leading to its most famous sections. It was constructed by the Boonrawd family, owners of Boon Rawd Brewery, which makes the Thai beer brands Leo and Singha. The family built the park as a gift to the people, and admission is free. Visitors can spend as long as they like here, and the park features a large tea plantation and restaurant. 

Extended Trips to Chiang Rai

For those travelling slowly around the region, there are several places to visit in Chiang Rai’s surrounding area that are worth it. Some of the more famous include:

• The Golden Triangle
• Tham Luang Cave
• Khun Korn Waterfall

The Golden Triangle is the point at which Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar all meet at the Mekong River. The area is a special economic zone dotted with shops selling goods from all three countries at discount prices. For many, the best part is simply seeing the legendary Mekong River at one of its wider points. 

Tham Luang Cave became known across the world in 2018 when a youth soccer team was trapped there by flood waters. Tours of the inside are only allowed in the dry season, as the cave floods in the rainy season. 

Khun Korn Waterfall is located to the west of the city and towers over seventy metres high. The road into the park ends before reaching the falls, so a thirty to forty minute walk through the lush jungle is required to reach them. 

For those wondering where to see wildlife in Chiang Rai, many national parks are located within a two hours drive of the city. Tour operators in town also offer eco and wildlife tours to those interested.

Travel at Your Own Pace

Chiang Rai lacks the ubiquitous tuk-tuks and public transit systems of larger Thai cities, so getting around without a vehicle can be time-consuming and expensive. Renting a car is an economical option that also adds flexibility. 

Luckily, Drive Car Rental has a convenient location at Chiang Rai International Airport. Browse our full fleet of vehicles and reserve the one that suits you best!