Things To Do In Chiang Rai – Budget Travel In Thailand

Just a three-hour drive from Chiang Mai, Chang Rai is a more relaxing alternative. Visitors come here for a slower pace and to enjoy the incredible White Temple.

Before our year-long adventure in Southeast Asia begun, we had done a little amount of research into the first couple of places we had planned to visit: Bangkok and Chiang Mai. We discovered a place called the White Temple that we just had to visit. We discovered that it was nearer a place called Chiang Rai so we decided to take a 3 day break from Chiang Mai.

We soon found out about something called the Black Temple which sounded like it was a darker version of the White Temple. Whilst in Chang Rai, we found out about a Blue Temple too!

I am glad that we decided to spend some time in Chiang Rai. There is easily enough to keep you busy for a three night stay.

Things To Do In Chang Rai

Ban Daam Museum (The Black House)

Perhaps not as well known as ‘The White Temple’ is ‘The Ban Daam Museum’ (map), otherwise known as ‘The Black House Chiang Rai‘. This is a much more gothic, macabre experience and is the work of Thawan Duchanee, a Thai artist and architect who was loved and despised in equal measure. It’s not hard to see why some people find his work distasteful, being as a lot of it contains dead animal skin, bones and representations of the penis. It’s not your typical tourist attraction.

How To Get To The Ban Daam Museum From Chiang Rai

Getting to the Ban Daam Museum is easy enough. Once again, head to the bus station and simply ask the staff and they will put you on the correct bus. The driver will tell you where to alight and then you will walk for about 15 minutes to the main entrance (map). The Baan Dam Museum entrance fee is 80 baht.

Exploring The Ban Daam Museum

As you enter, you will see the main ‘house’. Inside, there may be some classes or activities taking place. When we visited, there was a school trip beginning their day. I’m sure there was a few sniggers among the children that day!

There are numerous buildings in the park, all containing objects and sculptures that, on occasion, will surprise and maybe even shock you. Thawan Duchanee likes to use skin, bones and phallic objects. It all felt a little bit ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ in parts, whilst at the same time, you can’t help be impressed by the beauty of the park as a whole. It is a truly unique experience. Not everyone will enjoy it (it is certainly more divisive than The White Palace) but I would say it is just as much of a must-see as The White Palace.

Opening Times: 9 am – 5 pm, Mon – Sun.
Entrance Fee: 80 baht.

How To Get From The Ban Daam Museum To Chiang Rai

Once you’ve had your fill of dead animals and erect penises, make your way back to the main road and cross to the other side. There is no bus stop as such, but look out for a bus passing and stick out your hand. The bus driver will stop to take you back to Chiang Rai.

Blue Temple Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Seur Ten)

“Oh, you should visit the Blue Temple. That was my favourite.” So went the recommendation from a Facebook friend on a reply to my pictures of the White Temple.

“Oh, you mean the Black Temple? Yeah, we already did it.”

“No, the blue temple.”

I’ll be honest. I’d not heard of the Black Temple until I reached Chiang Rai. And now it turned out there is a Blue Temple too? Some research showed that there is indeed a blue temple in Chiang Rai and it is just as much a must see as those of the white and black variety!

How To Get To The Blue Temple From Chiang Rai

Getting there was a little more difficult as the other temples as there didn’t seem to be any public transport. We don’t really like using taxis and tuk tuks and Google Maps informed us it was a 45 minute walk so… we decided to walk.

The directions were easy enough. Turning onto the main Rattanakheat Road from our hostel, we basically walked straight all the way out of the centre of Chiang Rai, over the Kok River and then a right turn lead us to the temple, which is commonly known as ‘The Blue Temple’ but is actually called ‘Wat Rong Seur Ten’ (map).

Arriving At The Blue Temple In Chiang Rai

Once we reached the temple, we actually entered from the back so saw everything in reverse. It was immediately stunning. The temple was built in place of an old ruin when a local community decided it needed its own temple. It was ‘completed’ in 2016 but there are still constructions going on now. It’s not yet as big a tourist attraction as the white or black temples, but it is only a matter of time before this changes, as it is equally as impressive, as the pictures below show.

After we had finished exploring the temple, we sat and had a deliciously refreshing coconut ice-cream with sticky rice (blue, obviously) before making the 45 minute walk back home. And boy, was it hot!

Opening Times: 7 am – 8 pm, Mon – Sun.
Entrance Fee: Free admission.

Chiang Rai 75 Anniversary Flag And Lamp Park

We discovered the ’75 Anniversary Flag and Lamp Park’ (map) by accident as we were heading to a museum. There were a lot of people cleaning it up and sorting out the flowers and plants. They appeared to be preparing for a future event. As it was, we were able to have a sneaky look around. It was already looking interesting and I managed to get a few photos before one of the workers told me the park was “not ready.”

Chiang Rai Clock Tower

On our first night in Chiang Rai, we came across the ‘Chiang Rai Clock Tower’ (map). This clock was designed by ‘Chalermchai Kositpipat’ who also designed the White Temple. It is stunningly beautiful. We were standing at the side of the road admiring its beauty, when suddenly it transformed into a musical light show! Apparently, this happens at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm every evening. We had discovered this entirely by chance. It was a wonderful moment. If you are planning on visiting Chiang Rai, don’t watch the video below. See it for yourself!

 

Chiang Rai Hilltribe Museum

The Hilltribe Museum (map) is a small museum with artefacts and information about the numerous hill tribes of Thailand. It has a lot of information about the history of opium cultivation with is very interesting and it was here we discovered that the longneck hilltribes in Thailand that tourists pay to visit are a scam and most probably violate human rights. We had considered such a tour so this was useful information. The museum needs a bit of updating and TLC as it is starting to look a bit shabby, but it is interesting and worth a visit. Make sure you ask them to show the slideshow.

Opening Times: 8.30 am – 6 pm, Mon-Fri. 10 am – 6 pm, Sat & Sun
Entrance Fee: 50 baht.

Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

Chiang Rai Night Bazaar (map) is open every night and offers lots of cheap Thai and Western food and entertainment on its big stage. It didn’t take us long to find it.

Chiang Rai White Temple 

The White Temple (map) is the main reason tourists travel to Chiang Rai. It is approximately 13 km from Chiang Rai so walking was not really an option.

We headed to the central station to find a bus to the White Temple. The tuk tuk drivers were out in force again. Whenever they spotted a tourist without a backpack arrive at the bus station, they guessed that their destination would be the White Temple. They are usually correct.

How To Get To The White Temple

Ignore the tuk tuks (unless you want to pay way too much) and look for the bus. The bus will have a sign in front saying it is going to The White Temple so it is easy enough to find. You will find that anyone in the station will gladly help you. The price is 20 baht per person one way. From 10 am, there are buses every 30 minutes (there are buses before this time) so you should never have too long to wait. The bus will be a colourful but battered old bus and you will be cramped in. The journey is barely half an hour so you don’t have too long to suffer. The driver will let you know where to get off.

Arriving At The Chiang Rai White Temple

Once off the bus, you will need to cross to the other side of the busy road. You will see the White Temple in this distance. If not, follow the other tourists! You will get great views of the White Temple as you approach and these are probably the best places to take photos of the whole building as you won’t get it all in once you are up close. Admission to the Chiang Rai White Temple is 50 baht but, before you go in, take a look around the grounds first. There are some great buildings and other opportunities to take photos of the palace from a distance. Take a toilet break in the grandest toilet you will ever use, certainly in South East Asia! Once inside the grounds, take your time to enjoy the palace. There is so much detail in the architecture, you don’t want to miss anything. It will be very busy so you might be tempted to rush through. The outside of the temple is much more impressive than the inside so you will want to take your time outside. Usual temple rules apply: dress sensibly and cover your arms and knees.

The temple is the work of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat who doesn’t expect it to be completed until the year 2070. As such, there will probably be parts of the temple covered by scaffolding.

Once you leave the temple, head towards your right and you will see the museum dedicated to the work of Chalermchai Kositpipat and featuring lots of his work. This is also free and definitely worth a visit.

Look out for the references to popular culture around the grounds. We spotted Predator, Pinhead and Freddy Krueger!

Opening Times: 8 am – 5 pm, Mon – Fri. 8 am – 5.30, Sat & Sun.
Entrance Fee: 50 baht.

As you’d imagine, surrounding the palace are many shops and cafes. We sat and had an Italian blue lemon soda with the palace as a scenic background, then crossed the road for food. I found a diner type place that made red pork and crispy pork with rice for 50 baht and it was great!

How To Get From The White Temple To Chiang Rai

Leaving the palace, we headed back to where we had departed the bus and waited on the other side. Within minutes, a songthauw appeared and we managed to get a lift back to Chiang Rai bus station for the same price as the bus. Result!

Kad Luang Chiang Rai Markets

The local Kad Luang Chang Rai Markets (map) and surrounding streets are filled with vendors selling all the fish and meat you could imagine. Vegans will struggle here. They literally sell every part of the animal. Nothing goes to waste. The fermented fish pastes have such a pungent smell, you might find yourself sticking your head in a durian for respite. It really is that bad. I love markets though, and the ones in Thailand are a real challenge to all the senses.

Old Clock Tower

After an interesting nosey around the market (in which we bought one avocado and a skipping rope!), we discovered the Old Clock Tower (map). With the new clock tower certain to impress everyone, some people might find the old clock tower a little underwhelming. Not us. We loved its old school, ordinary, defiant stature. Basically, it’s just a clock.

Is Chiang Rai Worth Visiting?

Chiang Rai is a definitey worth a visit. It is easy to reach from Chiang Mai by bus and it offers a more laid back and less touristy atmosphere, though the White Temple is very popular. We really enjoyed our time in Chiang Rai and would recommend it to everyone. There is DEFINITELY more to it than the White Palace!