Thailand · City Guide
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the northernmost major city in Thailand and the gateway to the extraordinary Golden Triangle, home to the remarkable White Temple of Wat Rong Khun, the ancient Lanna kingdom heritage, beautiful mountain trekking, hill tribe communities and the dramatic confluence of the Mekong, Ruak and Mae Kok rivers on the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Less visited and more authentic than Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai rewards those who venture further north.
Elect's take
"Chiang Rai has an authenticity and a sense of discovery that I find very appealing. The White Temple is genuinely extraordinary and the combination of outstanding natural scenery, hill tribe culture and the Golden Triangle creates a destination with a very distinct character."
Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, is one of the most extraordinary and surreal buildings in Thailand, a contemporary artistic vision of a Buddhist temple covered in white and mirrored glass that creates a dazzlingly beautiful and unusual experience. The Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers, provides a fascinating historical and geographical encounter. The hill tribes of the surrounding mountain regions — Akha, Karen, Hmong and others — maintain extraordinary cultural traditions. The tea plantations of Doi Mae Salong in the hills produce outstanding Thai tea.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
White Temple
Wat Rong Khun, one of the most extraordinary and surreal buildings in Thailand.
Golden Triangle
The historic confluence where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the Mekong River.
Hill Tribe Communities
Outstanding cultural encounters with Akha, Karen, Hmong and other hill tribe communities.
Mountain Trekking
Beautiful trekking through forested mountain landscapes in the northernmost Thai hills.
Doi Mae Salong Tea
Outstanding Thai tea plantations in the hills above Chiang Rai producing exceptional leaves.
Blue Temple
Wat Rong Suea Ten, another remarkable contemporary temple of vivid blue and gold.
