November 2, 2024

How Many Days to Spend in Chiang Rai

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Although Chiang Mai gets the most attention from travelers when it comes to northern Thailand, there are many other places in the region that are worth visiting. Chiang Rai is one of them, as it has some of the most striking temples and architecture that I saw during my three weeks in Thailand. You’ll also find stunning scenery, delicious food, and fun night markets.

As you plan your Thailand trip, how many days should you spend in Chiang Rai? Although it’s possible to see some of Chiang Rai’s most famous sites in one day, I recommend spending three days to truly experience all that the city and region has to offer. To help you decide, I’ve outlined what you’ll be able to see in one, two, and three days below. Based on your interests, you can then figure out how many days you should devote to Chiang Rai.

Table Of Contents
  1. One day
  2. Two days
  3. Three days
  4. More resources for traveling southeast Asia

One day

If you want to see the three attractions that Chiang Rai is most known for (White Temple or Wat Rong Khun, Blue Temple or Wat Rong Suea Ten, and the Black House or Baan Dam Museum) and nothing more, you can fit them all into one busy day. The three sites are close to each other (at most, a 30-minute drive) but not within walking distance, so you’ll need to have a driver or rent a scooter.

Depending on how fast you go through each attraction and the number of breaks you take, you may also have some time to spare to wander around Chiang Rai’s city center. You can swing by the Chiang Rai Clock Tower, walk through the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, or take a 15-minute drive to Wat Huay Pla Kang to see the Goddess of Mercy.

Is it possible to do a day trip to Chiang Rai?

You can do a day trip to Chiang Rai, depending on where you’re coming from. Most people go from Chiang Mai, but I don’t recommend it due to how long the travel is. It’s a bit over a three-hour drive one way, which means you’ll spend a total of six hours on the road. If you’re set on going though, you can either hire a driver for the day, rent a car if you’re comfortable driving in Thailand, join a group tour, or take the bus.

Taking the bus is the cheapest option and pretty comfortable, although it does take slightly longer. GreenBus is the company that runs this route, and you can either book your ticket online in advance through 12Go.Asia or show up at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 and buy your ticket there.

Entrance of the White Temple in Chiang Rai with a bridge and lake in front

Two days

If you have the time, spend at least two full days in Chiang Rai. You’ll see everything that you would in one day, but you won’t feel rushed. You’ll also have time to explore Singha Park, Thailand’s largest eco-tourism attraction. Spanning over 1,376 hectares, the park contains a tea plantation, zoo, sports like rock climbing and zip lining, and restaurants. With so many things to do and see there, Singha Park makes a great afternoon activity.

You can also soak in nearby hot springs or take a dip in a waterfall. Huai Mak Liam Hot Spring is about a 40-minute drive from the city center, Pong Phrabat Hot Springs is a 16-minute drive, and Huai Kaeo Waterfall is a 45-minute drive.

Three days

Three days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Chiang Rai because you’ll be able to get to all the attractions at a relaxed pace and have much more time to explore the city center. In addition to seeing everything listed above, you can watch the sun rise at Phu Chi Fa, a mountain range and national forest park located along the border between Thailand and Laos. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Chiang Rai, so you’ll need to wake up early if you want to catch sunrise. Otherwise, you can visit at any time and still see spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains.

You can also visit the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma) meet and the Ruak and Mekong rivers converge. The Golden Triangle has become a popular tourist attraction where you can take a boat ride, get a view of the Golden Triangle, see a large golden Buddha statue, and learn about the opium trade at either the House of Opium or Hall of Opium. It takes a little over an hour to drive from Chiang Rai to the Golden Triangle. You can either drive yourself, hire a private driver, or join a tour group.

If you manage to power through everything listed here and still have extra time, you can always take a cooking class if you haven’t already done so. Cooking classes are a popular activity in Thailand. They’re fun and filling. Plus, you’ll be able to take the recipes that you learn with you, so you can later recreate classic Thai dishes at home.

More resources for traveling southeast Asia

How Many Days to Spend in Chiang Rai
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Hi, I’m Felicia. Ever since studying abroad in college, I’ve had a growing passion for travel. I love sharing those experiences with others, so you’ll find travel guides, packing lists, tips, and more here!