Le Patta Resort
Chiang Rai, Thailand
I stayed at Le Patta Resort during my two nights in Chiang Rai, with breakfast included in my stay.
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© VeggieTravelGirlAsia · Thailand
Chiang Rai, Thailand: 8 Incredible Places to Visit + My Traditional Thai Outfit Experience
Chiang Rai, Thailand, deserves a spot on your Northern Thailand itinerary! Its incredible temples blew me away — and dressing in traditional Thai clothing became one of my favorite experiences of the trip.
I took the bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and spent two nights there, giving me time to explore beyond a day trip.
I’ve visited some pretty incredible destinations around the world, but the temples in Chiang Rai were honestly on another level. The architecture was absolutely insane! From the intricate mirrored details of the White Temple to the vibrant blue and gold interior of the Blue Temple, I couldn’t believe how beautiful these places were in person.
Every temple was completely different, and each one felt like stepping into a work of art. One of the highlights of my visit was dressing up in traditional Thai clothing and having beautiful photos taken at the temples. The entire experience was so much fun, from getting dressed and having my hair styled to seeing the final photos.
And one of the best decisions I made? Hiring a private driver to take me around Chiang Rai for the day. Instead of worrying about transportation between temples, I had someone drive me from place to place. My driver also recommended an incredible traditional Thai clothing rental shop, which ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire day!
Here are eight places I visited in Chiang Rai, plus my recommendations for making the most of your trip.
Things to do
In and around Chiang Rai
1. White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) 🤍
The White Temple is easily one of the most unique temples I’ve ever visited! The entire complex looks almost unreal, with brilliant white architecture, intricate sculptures, and tiny mirrored details that sparkle in the sunlight. Everywhere you look, there’s something fascinating to see. I was completely blown away by this place — the attention to detail is unbelievable.
Municipal Visitor Information ↗Google Maps ↗- The white symbolizes the Buddha’s purity; the mirrored glass represents wisdom. The bridge evokes leaving the cycle of rebirth behind.
- Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where requested, and follow posted photography rules. A beautiful exterior doesn’t mean every interior permits photos.
- Give yourself time to appreciate the details rather than only taking a quick picture. Bring water and sun protection.
© VeggieTravelGirl2. Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) 💙
The Blue Temple was another absolute showstopper! The vibrant blue and gold details are breathtaking, and the enormous white Buddha inside makes the interior even more impressive. The colors are so intense that the temple almost looks digitally enhanced, but it’s genuinely that beautiful. I loved how different this temple was from the White Temple.
VeggieTravelGirl TipThis is a place of worship: dress modestly, remove shoes where indicated, keep your voice down, and don’t interrupt worshippers for a photograph. Follow the photography rules in each area.
Google Maps ↗3. Red Temple (Wat Chiang Yuen) ❤️
Another beautiful temple filled with striking red and gold details! One of my favorite things about exploring Chiang Rai was seeing how different each temple looked. The architecture, colors, and decorative details gave every stop its own personality. I loved exploring another completely different temple design after seeing the famous White and Blue Temples.
Google Maps ↗
© VeggieTravelGirl4. Wat Huay Pla Kang 🏯
This was another incredible stop! Wat Huay Pla Kang is known for its enormous white Guan Yin statue overlooking the surrounding landscape. The scale of the statue is impressive, and I especially enjoyed the views from the top. Seeing the surrounding mountains and landscape from above made the visit even more memorable.
VeggieTravelGirl TipTransportation around the complex and access to the statue’s upper levels are different things. A grounds shuttle helps with reaching the upper area; an elevator inside the statue serves its upper viewpoints. Confirm current availability, accessibility, fees, and opening times on arrival — don’t assume a shuttle ride includes elevator access.
Google Maps ↗5. Lalitta Café ☕🌿
Lalitta Café feels like something straight out of a fairytale! Imagine lush tropical plants, cascading waterfalls, mist floating through the greenery, and beautiful pathways surrounded by nature. I absolutely loved the magical atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
VeggieTravelGirl TipThis café gets crowded! It’s a popular photography destination, so don’t expect to have the waterfalls and photo spots to yourself. Be patient, keep pathways clear, and confirm current admission or spending requirements directly with the café before visiting.
Google Maps ↗6. Chiang Rai Clock Tower 🕰️
Located in the heart of the city, Chiang Rai’s golden Clock Tower is a beautiful landmark. The intricate golden architecture is impressive during the day, but the tower becomes especially interesting in the evening when it lights up in different colors. My recommendation: try to visit during the evening light and music show.
VeggieTravelGirl TipChiang Rai Municipality lists nightly shows at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. Check locally for changes, arrive a little early, and photograph from the sidewalk rather than stepping into traffic. Pair it with a walk around the city center.
Official Show Information ↗Google Maps ↗7. Chiang Rai Walking Street 🛍️
Exploring local markets is one of my favorite things to do when traveling. Chiang Rai Walking Street is a fun place to experience the city beyond its famous temples, with shopping, local food, handmade souvenirs, and entertainment. I enjoyed exploring the market atmosphere and seeing the different shopping and food options.
VeggieTravelGirl TipThe municipality lists Saturday Walking Street on Thanalai Road from 4 p.m. to midnight. This is the Saturday market, not the nightly Night Bazaar; confirm the schedule before planning around it. Vegetable dishes can still contain fish sauce, oyster sauce, shrimp paste, or meat stock — ask before ordering.
Official Market Information ↗Google Maps ↗8. Central Chiangrai Shopping Mall 🛍️
Sometimes you just want a break from sightseeing and the Thai heat! I really enjoyed exploring Central Chiangrai, a modern shopping mall with plenty of shops, restaurants, and air conditioning. I found lots of cute, reasonably priced clothes, and it was a nice change of pace from exploring temples all day.
VeggieTravelGirl TipLeave room in your bag if you enjoy shopping, and compare clothing prices and sizing before buying. It’s a convenient indoor break; check current mall hours and individual restaurant menus before heading over.
Mall Visitor Information ↗Google Maps ↗
My Favorite Chiang Rai Experience: Dressing Up in Traditional Thai Clothing 👑
One of the absolute highlights of my Chiang Rai experience was dressing up in traditional Thai clothing and having photos taken at the temples. I hadn’t arranged a separate costume experience in advance as part of my sightseeing plans.
I had hired my private driver for the day, and he recommended a local Thai costume rental shop. He took me there, and it turned out to be such a fabulous experience!
The shop was: ณฐา บริการเช่าชุดไทย NATHA Thai costume rental 爱尚珠珠 租泰服, at 218 Pa O Don Chai, เมือง Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand.
When I arrived, the ladies helped me get completely dressed from head to toe and even did my hair! This wasn’t just a matter of picking an outfit and putting it on myself. I loved all the beautiful details and how everything came together.
The shop also had a photographer who took my photos. I didn’t have to worry about a tripod, asking strangers, or capturing the perfect shot myself. The photos were AirDropped directly to my phone! It was incredibly convenient, and the whole experience was fabulous.
As someone who travels solo, getting beautiful photos of myself can sometimes be a challenge. Having the outfit, hair styling, and photography taken care of meant I could actually enjoy the experience. I would absolutely recommend looking into something similar.
© VeggieTravelGirl
© VeggieTravelGirlPractical Tips for NATHA Thai Costume Rental
Contact the shop ahead to confirm current offerings, prices, hair styling, photographer availability, how photos are delivered, and how long you should allow.
- Coordinate the rental stop and photography time with your driver before agreeing on the day’s plan.
- Allow time to get dressed and have your hair styled — don’t treat it as a quick stop between temples.
- Ask which photography locations are permitted and follow each temple’s rules and dress code.
- Confirm whether AirDrop or another transfer method is available for your phone.
Hiring a Private Driver in Chiang Rai: My Best Travel Decision 🚗
Hiring a private driver was one of the best decisions I made in Chiang Rai! The temples are spread out, and trying to coordinate transportation between all of them could have been stressful and time-consuming.
Instead, I had someone drive me from place to place. I didn’t have to worry about driving, navigating, parking, or figuring out how to get between attractions. I could simply enjoy exploring the temples and taking photos.
Another unexpected benefit was that my driver recommended NATHA Thai Costume Rental and took me there. Without that recommendation, I might not have discovered one of my favorite experiences from the trip!
Why I’d Recommend a Private Driver
- Convenient transportation between spread-out temples.
- Less time worrying about navigation and parking.
- Flexibility to enjoy different attractions and leave time for photography.
- Helpful local recommendations — my costume experience came from one.
- A particularly convenient option for solo travelers.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai can be explored as a long day trip from Chiang Mai, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand gives about three hours for a direct drive in favorable conditions — each way. Stops, traffic, and road conditions add time, so it’s a substantial travel day before any sightseeing.
I spent two nights in Chiang Rai after taking the bus from Chiang Mai. Staying overnight gave me more time for cafés, shopping, night markets, and a less rushed temple experience. A private driver makes a multi-temple day easier, but it doesn’t remove the need to leave breathing room.
For road transportation planning, see the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Chiang Rai transport information
Chiang Rai vs. Chiang Mai: Should You Visit Both?
Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai offer different experiences. Chiang Rai is especially memorable for its unusual, artistic temples; Chiang Mai offers historic temples, food, markets, and cultural attractions of its own.
Both are worth considering for a Northern Thailand itinerary. Traveling by road takes several hours, whether you arrange a car or choose a bus, so check current schedules and build the transfer into your plans rather than treating the cities as neighboring sightseeing stops.
Vegetarian Travel Tips for Chiang Rai 🌱
Don’t assume a dish is vegetarian just because it contains vegetables or tofu. Fish sauce, oyster sauce, shrimp paste, and meat-based stock can appear in sauces, curries, stir-fries, and soups.
Vegetable fried rice, tofu stir-fries, or noodle dishes can be possibilities when the kitchen can prepare them without animal-based sauces or stock. Ask explicitly, including whether egg is suitable for your own diet. At markets, choose vendors who can explain their ingredients rather than guessing from appearance.
A useful starting phrase is กินมังสวิรัติ (gin mang-sa-wi-rat), meaning eating vegetarian. Also show a translated ingredient list: no meat or seafood, no fish sauce, no oyster sauce, no shrimp paste, and no meat stock. Saying ‘vegetarian’ alone may not communicate every restriction.
Research cafés and menus ahead of time and keep backup snacks for a long temple day.
- Save a written dietary explanation on your phone before heading out.
- Ask about sauces and broth as well as visible meat.
- At night markets, confirm ingredients before paying.
- My Ao Nang vegetarian guide offers more firsthand Thailand food ideas, although it covers a different part of the country.
Chiang Rai Attractions Map
- Wat Rong Khun — Google Maps ↗
The White Temple’s intricate architecture and mirrored details.
- Wat Rong Suea Ten — Google Maps ↗
The Blue Temple and its striking white Buddha.
- Red Temple (Wat Chiang Yuen) — Google Maps ↗
VRXG+RFP, Tambon Rop Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand.
- NATHA Thai Costume Rental — Google Maps ↗
218 Pa O Don Chai, เมือง Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand — the shop my driver recommended for my traditional Thai clothing experience.
- Wat Huay Pla Kang — Google Maps ↗
Guan Yin statue and scenic viewpoints.
- Lalitta Café — Google Maps ↗
Waterfalls, greenery, and a fairytale atmosphere.
- Chiang Rai Clock Tower — Google Maps ↗
Golden city-center landmark with evening light shows.
- Saturday Walking Street Thanalai Road — Google Maps ↗
Saturday market for shopping, food, and entertainment.
- Central Chiangrai — Google Maps ↗
An indoor shopping and dining break.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Rai worth visiting?
Absolutely, for me! The colorful, elaborate temples genuinely blew me away, and the traditional Thai clothing experience made the visit even more memorable.
What are the best temples in Chiang Rai?
My highlights included the White Temple, Blue Temple, and Wat Huay Pla Kang. Each felt completely different, so I wouldn’t treat them as interchangeable stops.
Can you visit Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai in one day?
Yes, but allow several hours of driving each way. TAT estimates about three hours for a direct drive in favorable conditions, so choose fewer attractions rather than planning every stop in this guide.
Should you hire a private driver in Chiang Rai?
I was so glad I did. It simplified transportation between spread-out temples and led to the recommendation for my costume rental experience. Confirm the itinerary and exactly what your booking includes.
Where can you rent traditional Thai clothing in Chiang Rai?
My driver took me to ณฐา บริการเช่าชุดไทย NATHA Thai costume rental 爱尚珠珠 租泰服. The shop is at 218 Pa O Don Chai, เมือง Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand.
Can you hire a photographer for traditional Thai outfit photos?
The shop had a photographer during my visit, and my photos were AirDropped to my phone.
How many days do you need in Chiang Rai?
I spent two nights in Chiang Rai. That gave me more breathing room for cafés, markets, shopping, and photography than a day trip.
What should you wear when visiting temples in Thailand?
Dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where requested, and follow each site’s posted rules. Costume photography must also respect temple dress and photography requirements.
Is Chiang Rai a good destination for solo female travelers?
I enjoyed exploring solo, especially with a private driver and the costume shop’s photographer. Plan transport, share your plans with someone you trust, and use the same practical safety precautions you would elsewhere.
What is the best way to get between Chiang Rai’s temples?
For my trip, a private driver was the most convenient choice. The attractions are spread out; agree on your stops, waiting time, and return journey before setting off.
More From My Travels
Vegetarian food
Eating well in Chiang Rai
Where to stay
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