Chiang Rai – A quaint town in the mountainous northern province of Thailand and a treasure trove of some of the most stunning temples in the country. The landscape too is no less appealing, thanks to the mighty Kok River weaving its way through the region and dramatic mountains embracing the border.
Chiang Rai has a very laid-back vibe with less tourists, friendly residents and charming local markets with an air of authenticity. It is a perfect place to add to your Thailand itinerary if you are looking for something a bit quiet and offbeat. Here is a guide for your 1st visit to Chiang Rai.
Getting to Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has a small airport with regular flights from Bangkok. The flying time from Bangkok is approx. 1.5 hours and prices are reasonable.
The other cheaper yet longer option is to take an overnight bus from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.
Regular buses also ply between Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Journey time is around 3 hours.
Things to do and see in Chiang Rai
White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
The famed White Temple of Chiang Rai has all reasons to be the centre of attention. The temple is all white with tiny mirrors used in the design which makes it glisten in the sun. The architecture is unlike any other temple in Thailand and is truly a masterpiece. However more than the architecture, it is the quirky installations around the temple that attract attention – the suspended heads from the tree, hands coming out of the ground and the ghoulish skulls. But as soon as you cross the bridge to enter the main temple, the feel sheerly changes from a tourist attraction into a place of worship.
Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
This temple is our absolute favourite in Chiang Rai. For some reason, Sush and I liked this place much more than any other temple in the city. May be it was the zen vibe inside the temple or the bright colours working their magic. But there was this immense sense of calm and contentment we felt as we stepped in.
The vibrant Blue colour of the temple with radiant gold designs is also a visual delight. The interior is equally intriguing with a large white statue of Lord Buddha sitting under an elaborately painted roof. The walls have beautiful murals all over as well as the pillars. The ensemble has some more installations, like the huge statues at entrance, a smaller sized Buddha on a Blue throne and a little fountain in the middle.
Wat Hyua Pla Kang
Another one of the must see temples in Chiang Rai is the Wat Hyua Pla Kang. A huge statue of Guan Yin (aka the Big Buddha) located on a Hill is actually hard to miss, especially after evening when it is all lit up. The temple complex also houses a vibrant red and green pagoda. And an opulent white temple with an all white interior and a snowy Buddha statue. This is also the place where you get to walk along the stares guarded by some super friendly dragons (who almost look alive). Read the full Blog Post Here to explore more places in Chiang Rai
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