Best things to do in Chiang Rai in 2 days

Looking for the best things to do in Chiang Rai?  From the iconic White Temple to the serene Blue Temple, Chiang Rai offers a wealth of unique attractions that are all worth exploring.  Whether you’re drawn to its rich culture, stunning temples, or beautiful landscapes, there’s something for everyone in this northern Thai gem.

We spent a lot of time planning our 2-day itinerary and choosing the best things to do in Chiang Rai.  We wanted to see the top attractions, including the White and Blue Temples, without rushing from place to place.

In this guide, we’ll share our 2-day itinerary and information on the best places to visit in Chiang Rai.  You’ll discover how to get to each location and an amazing place to stay.  Our guide will give you everything you need to know for an unforgettable experience in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Chiang Rai is a city in the Mueang Chiang Rai District in Northern Thailand.  It is about 487 miles (785 km) north of Bangkok.

We flew directly from Bangkok Airport to Chiang Rai with Vietjet.  The flight took 1.5 hours, arriving late afternoon.  If you book in advance, you can get a good price on flights.

If you’re coming from Chiang Mai, it’s 115 miles (185 km) and takes 3 hours by road.

Many people opt to do a 1-day tour from Chiang Mai, including the White Temple, Baan Dam Museum and Blue Temple.  However, you must bear in mind the transfer is 3 hours each way, so you’ll spend a lot of time in the bus.

We stayed at the Laluna Hotel and Resort, which I’d highly recommend for anyone visiting.  Our Thai-style bungalows, were cosy, modern, and clean providing a perfect blend of comfort and traditional style.  One of the highlights of the Laluna resort is the stunning grounds.   The bungalows, surrounded by lush, tropical gardens, palm trees, and vibrant plants offered a serene escape from the bustling city.

The Laluna Hotel also features a lovely swimming pool, which was ideal for relaxing after a day of exploring.  Located just a 15-minute walk from the town centre, it is a peaceful spot, yet close enough to local restaurants and bars.  They served a buffet-style breakfast each day.

Click here to book the Laluna Hotel & Resort

On day one of our 2-day Chiang Rai itinerary, we headed to Wat Rong Khun (better known as the White Temple).

Chiang Rai’s most iconic landmark is the stunning White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), located about 8 miles (13 km) from the town centre. We took a Grab taxi, which is the most convenient option, but if you’re looking for a cheaper way to get there, you can take a Songthaew (from Uttarakit Road) or a local bus from Bus Terminal 1.

Not only is the White Temple the top attraction in Chiang Rai, but it’s also one of the most incredible places to visit in all of Thailand.  It’s truly a must-see and probably the main reason for visiting Chiang Rai!

Designed by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the temple opened to visitors in 1997.  He built it on the site of the original Wat Rong Khun, which had fallen into disrepair.  Although it appears to be a traditional temple, it’s actually a privately-owned art exhibit, blending elements of contemporary art with traditional Buddhist architecture on the grounds of a former temple.

As the name suggests, the temple is entirely white.  Its design is extremely elaborate and ornate, with every corner crafted with meticulous attention to detail.

However, it’s only when you get up close that you’ll truly appreciate the temple’s bizarre and thought-provoking nature.  You’ll notice unsettling skulls, snakes, and hands reaching out from the depths of hell!

Each of these details is deliberately included to convey a deeper message about Buddhist teachings.  They illustrate how they can guide us away from the evils and temptations of the modern world.  The outstretched hands, for example, symbolize unrestrained desire.

Inside the temple, the murals portray characters from Western culture, symbolising the struggle between good and evil.  It’s not every day you’ll find a picture of Elvis, Harry Potter, and a Minion on the walls of a Buddhist Temple!  (Unfortunately, you cannot take photos inside the building.)

Afterwards, allow time to visit the rest of the Wat Rung Khun complex.

One of the must-see places is the Cave of Art.  Inside the man-made cave, you can enjoy more sculptures and art by the artist Kositpipat.  The lighting and sound effects make it very atmospheric.  There is a small admission fee of 50 tbh, but it’s worth it.

Other things to see at the White Temple complex include the Ganesha Exhibition Hall, Tarkhun Art Gallery and various mythical sculptures around the grounds.

Before you leave, make sure you use the toilet facilities, which you’ll find in the magnificent golden toilet block.  I think it’s the fanciest toilet block I’ve ever seen.

Next on our list of things to do in Chiang Rai, is a visit to Singha Park.  The park is only 6 km from the White Temple, so we travelled by tuk tuk.  It’s fairly easy to pick up some local transport from outside the White Temple.

Singha Park is a large outdoor recreational area, with activities for all ages, making it an ideal spot for families.  If you are looking for things to do in Chiang Rai with kids, this is a great choice.  With a variety of family attractions, it’s easy to spend half a day here enjoying all the activities on offer.

The best way to explore Singha Park is on the hop-on hop-off shuttle bus, which stops at key points around the site.  Alternatively, you could hire bikes, though be prepared for some hilly terrain in parts.

For families, the best attractions at Singha Park are the petting zoo, zip-line, a climbing wall, and tea plantation.  Plus, they also have a large lake with pedalos.  Whilst admission to the park is free, there’s a small fee for some the activities.

One of Chiang Rai’s most iconic landmarks is the Golden Clock Tower, located at the centre of a busy traffic roundabout.  Designed by the same artist behind the White Temple, this striking monument is a unique work of art.

If you’re visiting Chiang Rai for two days, make sure to stop by the Clock Tower in the evening.  It’s best to be there at 7, 8 or 9pm,to catch the mesmerising light and sound show.  Each night, the clock tower lights up  in a dazzling sequence of colours to the sound of Thai music, creating an unmissable display.

One of the top things to do in the evenings in Chiang Rai is visit the Night Bazaar.  This vibrant market offers a lively atmosphere with undercover dining areas and local performers on stage.

Another popular option is the Weekend Walking Street, Chiang Rai’s night market.  Here, you’ll find a variety of stalls selling clothes, street food, and local crafts.  While it’s worth a visit, it feels far less inspiring than the vibrant street markets in Chiang Mai.

On day 2 of our Chiang Rai itinerary, our first stop was the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten).  Although it is not as famous as the White Temple, the Blue Temple is definitely one of the must-visit attractions in Chiang Rai.  It’s known for its stunning blue architecture and intricate details.  Everything you see is blue!

The easiest way to reach the Blue Temple is by Grab taxi.  However, as it’s only about 2 km from the city centre, you could easily take a tuk-tuk or songthaew, making for a more local and fun experience.

The Blue Temple has a striking entrance, flanked by two majestic blue dragons.  It’s a relatively new Buddhist temple,  built on the site of an ancient temple.   Everything has been made in blue and gold, as blue symbolises wisdom and purity in Thai culture.

Its name, “Wat Rong Suea Ten,” translates to “Temple of the Dancing Tiger,” a reference to the belief that tigers once roamed the grounds.

Inside the Blue Temple, the décor is absolutely breathtaking.  The walls, pillars and ceiling are painted in deep indigo blue, with intricate gold trim.  Throughout the temple, you’ll see paintings and statues of mythological characters.  At the far end of the hall, an enormous white Buddha stands majestically over the room.

Admission to the Blue Temple is free, making it an even more attractive place to visit.  However, as the complex isn’t as expansive as at the White Temple, a visit only takes about 30 minutes.

The next stop on our 2-day Chiang Rai itinerary is at Wat Huay Pla Klang, home to the iconic Big Buddha of Chiang Rai.  Located about 6km (4 miles) from the city centre, we opted to take a taxi to get there most easily.

The Big Buddha is one of Chiang Rai’s must-see attractions.  Sitting 90 metres tall on a bed of lotus flowers, this colossal statue is so enormous you can spot it from the air when you fly in to the city.

The enormous white statue represents Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.  To reach the temple, you have to climb an ornate staircase, flanked by dragon sculptures, which add to the grandeur of the site.

Admission to the ground floor is free, but for just 40 THB it’s worth taking the lift to the top.  The lift takes you up 25 floors, bringing you to the inside of the Big Buddha’s head.  Here, you’ll find a room filled with intricate carvings and statues of mythical creatures and animals.

Afterwards, you can peer out of the Buddha’s mouth to enjoy panoramic views of the 9-tier pagoda and the surrounding Chiang Rai countryside.

The Wat Huay Pla Klang complex also features two other notable buildings, the stunning 9-tier pagoda and a traditional white temple.

As you approach the pagoda, you’ll notice two dragons guarding the staircase.  Inside, each of the 9 levels of the pagoda houses wooden statues of Guanyin, Buddha, and monks.

Before leaving, we stopped for a meal at the restaurant near the car park.  Here, the food is very basic, but perfect for a quick, budget-friendly meal.

In the evening, we enjoyed a refreshing swim in the pool at Laluna Hotel.  Afterwards, we took a short walk to Bella Pizza, for a tasty pizza.

The following day, we left early for a transfer by car to Chiang Mai.  The drive takes about 3 hours, but it’s an incredibly scenic route, offering stunning views of the Thai countryside.  We used a private transfer, but there are other cheaper options available.

Here’s an overview of our 2-day itinerary in Chiang Rai:

• Day 1 – The White Temple, Singha Park and Clock Tower
• Day 2 – The Blue Temple and the Big Buddha

As you can see our 2-day itinerary was fairly relaxed, focussing on just a couple of attractions each day.  If you’re looking to make the most of your time, consider adding a visit to the Baan Dam Museum (the Black Temple) or Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) to your list.

Another highlight and one of the best things to do in Chiang Rai is to book a tour to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Myanmar,  Thailand, and Laos meet.  It’s about an hour’s drive from the city, and many of the guided tours also include visits to the White and Blue Temples too.

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