The town has a population of around 62,000 and is the main commercial centre serving the Golden Triangle border region of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. It is an excellent base for exploring the region. Chiang Rai is essentially a service city for the surrounding province. It has a relatively small population of 200,000 people, but also has a respected university and other civic facilities. The character is distinctly Northern and is distinct to Chiang Mai to the south in various ways. The food is definitely spicier and the ethnic composition includes a good percentage of hill tribes and Myanmar exiles such as various varieties of Karen tribe’s people.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Overview
Get In
- By plane to Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)
- By bus
- By train
Get around
- On foot
- By tuk tuk
- By songtheaws
- By motorbike
- By cyclo-rishaw (samlor)
See & Do
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
- Baan dam Museum (Black Temple)
- Chiang Rai First Church
- Wat Phra Keo (Emerald Buddha)
- Wat Phra Sing
- Hill Tribe Museum and Education Center
- Kok River
- Choui Fong Tea Plantation
- Opium Hall
- Mae Sai Border
- Akha Villages
- Waterfalls & Hot Springs
- Morning market
- Night Bazaar & Food Court
- Blue Temple (Rong Suea Ten)
- Mae Fah Luang garden
- Doi Tung Royal Villa
- Golden Triangle
- Watch the Clock Tower Light Show
- Chiang Dao Cave
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