Chiang Rai
By Evi Goossens, a travel storyteller, certified tour guide, and photographer from The Netherlands. Updated November 2024
Reading time: 4 min
Why You Shouldn't Skip Chiang Rai:
A Backpacker's Guide
Welcome to what I believe is the most underrated city in northern Thailand: Chiang Rai!
Many people skip this city during their travels through Thailand, simply because it’s quite far out, almost at the border with Laos. That’s why most people visit Chiang Rai on their way to Laos. But I’m here to tell you that it’s definitely worth including Chiang Rai in your itinerary if you're only traveling through Thailand.
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WHAT’S NEXT?
| TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to get around
Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
The White Buddha (Wat Huay Pla Kang)
Lalitta Cafe
The White and Golden Temples
Night Market
Where to stay/Where to eat
Need-to-Know Nuggets 💡
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Mini van: There are buses from Chiang Mai that go directly to Chiang Rai. You can also get there from Pai, but it’s essentially the same route as the one from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.
Flying: Chiang Rai has a small airport, so you can fly there, but it’s much more expensive. If you have the time, I’d definitely recommend taking the bus instead.
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I’d recommend staying at least 2 full days in Chiang Rai, which will give you enough time to experience all the highlights.
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Chiang Rai is quite small. Most hostels are located right in the center, making it easy to get around on foot. This is especially convenient if you want to go out for dinner or stroll through a market.
If you want to travel further, like to the temples, it’s a good idea to rent a scooter or take a taxi. A scooter is the cheaper option and will likely cost you just a few dollars. A taxi will cost you around $20 for a whole morning. Therefore, it’s smart to split the cost with other backpackers.
If you want to do it on a tight budget, you can also take the local bus. It runs from the center to the White Temple. It’s definitely an experience, so be prepared to sit/stand/hang in a bus without air conditioning, surrounded by locals. It’s a fun experience and by far the cheapest option! Ask in your hostel which bus you should take because the lines are sometimes changing.
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The White Buddha (Wat Huay Pla Kang)
How to Get Around
Chiang Rai is quite small. Most hostels are located right in the center, making it easy to get around on foot. This is especially convenient if you want to go out for dinner or stroll through a market.
If you want to travel further, like to the temples, it’s a good idea to rent a scooter or take a taxi. A scooter is the cheaper option and will likely cost you just a few dollars. A taxi will cost you around $20 for a whole morning. Therefore, it’s smart to split the cost with other backpackers.
If you want to do it on a tight budget, you can also take the local bus. It runs from the center to the White Temple. It’s definitely an experience, so be prepared to sit/stand/hang in a bus without air conditioning, surrounded by locals. It’s a fun experience and by far the cheapest option! Ask in your hostel which bus you should take because the lines are sometimes changing.
Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
Start your day at the Blue Temple. Be sure to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples. You can rent a scooter for the day or ask a taxi driver to take you around. The taxi is a bit more expensive, but it's ideal if you don't want to drive yourself in Thailand.
This temple is a bit oddly located in the middle of a neighborhood, but don’t be fooled by its surroundings—its beauty stands out. It’s a very different kind of temple compared to the others in Thailand. So, if you’ve already seen a lot of temples, don’t skip this one. The combination of blue and gold makes it truly special. Be sure to arrive early, as it can get crowded quickly.
TIP: Your knees and shoulders must be covered! Very strict dress code!
Free Entrance
The White Buddha (Wat Huay Pla Kang)
After visiting the Blue Temple, head over to the White Buddha. You’ll be able to spot it from a distance. It’s incredible how immense this statue is—I think it’s the largest statue I’ve ever seen. It almost looks fake. Once you get closer to the statue, you can walk all the way to the top, where you’ll have a view of the hilly landscape of Chiang Rai.
At the very top, you’ll see several people in uniform near a building. This is where we found out that you can take an elevator to the top for just $1. The elevator stops at the Buddha's head, and from his eyes, you can look out over the stunning view. An absolutely amazing sight!
TIP: Free Entry (only the elevator costs $1)
Lalitta Cafe
Near the White Buddha, you'll find the famous TikTok cafe. As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by mystical sounds. You walk through a subtle mist to get inside, where you first have to buy a ticket. This ensures that people don't just come in for photos, but actually eat something. It feels like you've stepped into another world. The waterfall, the surrounding plants, and even the little fairies incorporated into the decor make it magical. After a morning of temple visits, it’s definitely worth stopping by to relax and enjoy a meal.
The White and Golden Temples
As mentioned above, you can visit the temples with an expensive tour or taxi, but you can also do it the way the locals do—by public transportation! Ask at your hostel which bus to take and what time it departs, as the schedule can sometimes change.
Once on the bus, buy a ticket from the driver, just like the rest of the passengers. After about half an hour, you’ll start to see the White Temple appear in the distance. You just need to cross the street, and you’re there. Both the White and Golden Temples are free to visit.
The White Temple is an incredible sight, possibly one of the most beautiful temples in all of Thailand. Since it’s one of the most popular temples, it’s also one of the busiest. Make sure to arrive early if you want to beat the crowds.
TIP: Free Entry
Night Market
In the heart of Chiang Rai, you'll find a night market. Along the sides, there are countless stalls serving incredibly delicious food. From sushi to Korean to Thai—you name it, they have it. For just 2 dollars, you can enjoy a three-course dinner here. I recommend grabbing a spot on one of the yellow benches and bon appétit!
Where to stay
The best hostel I’ve stayed at in all of Asia is Backpack Hostel, right in the center of Chiang Rai. The owner is incredibly kind and makes sure you feel at home on the other side of the world.
She works hard on the hostel, pouring her heart and soul into it. She bought the property just before COVID hit and wanted to pursue her dream of starting a hostel. Then, the pandemic struck. It was two years of hard work, hope, and saving. It took a lot of energy to keep the hostel running, but in the end, all that effort was worthwhile.
Backpacker Hostel provides a super clean space and living area. Every day, there are freshly baked cakes or brownies available, and you’re greeted with open arms. They continue to improve the hostel every month and strive to give you the best experience possible.
Book your hostel: https://www.hostelworld.com
In addition to the night market, where you can enjoy delicious food, there’s a little café in the center of town offering a variety of healthy choices. Chiang Rai Kalae Café is one of these spots. They have plenty of fruit and healthy options, and it's a great place to work as well.
