A Guide To Chiang Rai Temples & Easy Family-Friendly Holiday
If you’re looking for an easy weekend getaway, Chiang Rai is worth considering. Famous for its colorful temples, quaint vibes, and slow pace, Chiang Rai is ideal for the whole family including grandparents.
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Where is Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai is located in northern Thailand, about 1 hour 20 minutes by flight from Bangkok and a 3.5-a hour drive from Chiang Mai. It’s close to the famous Golden Triangle — the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. It’s an exciting destination for those wanting to explore beyond Thailand’s usual tourist hubs. The city has small-town vibes with cooler climate, a relaxed pace, and an abundance of natural scenery.
Chiang Rai vs Chiang Mai
While it’s often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai has its unique charm that makes it worth the trip. Here’s a quick breakdown to give a clear picture of what to expect from each city:
Chiang Mai – lively and historic
A large and busy city with more urban development, Chiang Mai has a large variety of cafes, restaurants, malls, digital nomad hotspots, and historical temples. It’s perfect for those who love an urban vibe with a mix of nature.
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Chiang Rai – rural and relaxed
Chiang Rai is a much smaller city, it looks and feels like a laidback rural town (don’t be surprised to see cows and chickens as your friendly neighbors). It’s much less crowded and touristy than Chiang Mai, making it more relaxing and a great base for a slower, scenic experience and exploring the rural countryside and the Golden Triangle.
Family-friendly hotels in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai has great affordable and luxurious family-friendly hotel and resort options:
- Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort: A super luxurious retreat with spacious suites and “Jungle Bubbles” accommodation (a transparent dome close to where elephants roam) kid-friendly activities, and a relaxing infinity pool.
- Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort: A luxury riverside resort with spacious family-friendly rooms, a beautiful pool, and great dining.
- Riva Vista Chiang Rai: A charming boutique hotel with river views and spacious family-friendly rooms near Chiang Rai’s main attractions. Its quiet atmosphere, outdoor spaces, make it a great choice for families.
- The Riverie by Katathani: A stylish 5-star hotel with a kids’ club, gardens, and a stunning rooftop view of Chiang Rai.
- Laluna Hotel and Resort: A budget-friendly option with a beautiful pool, lush gardens, and comfy family rooms.
Restaurants and cafe recommendations Chiang Rai
Tried-and-tested restaurants and cafes with great vegetarian options in Chiang Rai.
- Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House: A quirky and quaint cafe/bistro with brunch and all-day dining. Perfect for brunch / lunch. If the weather’s nice, sit outdoors.
- La Gatta Pizzeria & Wine Bar: A charming Italian restaurant in the city centre with amazing pasta and wine.
- Bike Coffee: A cute cafe/restaurant near the Blue Temple with tasty Thai food and coffee. Good lunch spot.
White Temple – Wat Rong Khun
No visit to Chiang Rai temples is complete without seeing the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)—a beautiful, ethereal piece of architecture created by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat who envisioned it as a modern interpretation of a traditional Buddhist temple. Construction began in 1997 and while the main building is complete, work on the surrounding structures is still ongoing.
The exterior is completely white (symbolizing purity) and decorated with mirrors, which sparkly brightly in the sun. Don’t miss the Bridge of Rebirth — crossing it symbolizes leaving behind worldly temptations. Inside the White Temple there are murals, and if you look very carefully, you might see some unexpected characters like Superman and Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. There is a fee to visit the inside of the temple.
Family Tip: The temple gets busy, so visit early in the morning. Kids love spotting all the quirky details in the murals!
Chiang Rai Blue Temple – Wat Rong Suea Ten
The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) in Chiang Rai was completed in 2016. Construction began in 2005 on the site of an older, abandoned temple. Designed by Putha Kabkaew, a student of the White Temple’s creator Chalermchai Kositpipat, the temple blends traditional Lanna-style architecture with modern artistic elements. The striking blue color symbolizes wisdom, purity, and the infinite nature of the mind in Buddhism and also enhances the temple’s mystical, dreamlike ambiance.
There are massive white Buddhas on the outside and inside (which looks like it’s glowing!) to explore and it’s much less crowded than the White Temple, making it easier to explore with kids.
Family Tip: The temple is near cute cafés—perfect for a simple Thai meal, coffee, ice cream, or mango sticky rice after your visit.
Chiang Rai Family-Friendly Itinerary
Here’s an easy 2-day family-friendly itinerary to make the most of what Chiang Rai has to offer:
Day 1: Chiang Rai Temples & Culture
Morning: Visit the White Temple before the crowds.
Lunch: Eat at Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, a lovely riverside café (book a table in advance, this is a popular spot)
Afternoon: Explore the Blue Temple.
Evening: Visit the city center for the golden Clock Tower light and music show (every evening at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00PM) and have dinner nearby. There are a lot of small Thai restaurants, Italian pizzerias and bars.
Day 2: Nature & Relaxation
Morning: Half-day trip to the Golden Triangle. It is 1.5 hours by car, approximately 70 km north of the city.
Key things to do at the Golden Triangle:
- The Golden Triangle viewpoint, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
- The Hall of Opium Museum, which offers fascinating insights into the region’s opium trade history.
- A boat ride on the Mekong River, with an optional stop at a Lao riverside market.
(Full-day option: Add nearby attractions like Chiang Saen, an ancient city with ruins, or Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town on the Myanmar border.)
Afternoon: Stop by Singha Park on the way back from Golden Triangle for open fields, a petting zoo, a tram ride, and adventure activities like zip lining. You need about 2 hours to cover the whole park. Tip: rent a golf cart for around 1200-1500 baht to make it a swift and easy visit. The shuttles run every 45 minutes to an hour and take much longer. There may be entrance fees.
Evening: Explore the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, try local street food, and enjoy live music.
Other things to do in Chiang Rai
If you have more time in Chiang Rai or want to explore further, try out some of these attractions located about 45 minutes to an hour away by car.
Mae Fah Luang Garden & Doi Tung: A beautiful mountain garden with colorful flowers and scenic views.
Khun Korn Waterfall: An easy, family-friendly trek leading to a stunning 70-meter waterfall.
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