As Thailand’s northernmost town of any size, Chiang Rai is often thought of as the ‘Gateway to the Golden Triangle’, as most tours headed for the meeting point of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar have to pass through here.

However, a couple of famous artists who hail from here have made the town a destination in its own right with the popularity of the White Temple, the Black House Museum and the Blue Temple.

Modern temple art

Chiang Rai’s town centre is pleasant enough, with a good range of restaurants, a hill tribe museum, a night market and an eye-catching clock tower designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, who also designed the hugely popular Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple, a few kilometres south of town.

North of the Kok River

Most of the town lies on the south bank of the Kok River, though the Blue Temple and Black House Museum lie to the north of the river. Wat Rong Seua Ten (aka the Blue Temple) was the brainchild of Putha Kubkaew, a student of Chalermchai, while the Black House Museum was the work of National Artist Thawan Duchanee.

A cool green space

For a contrast to these extremely modern designs, the Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park to the west of the town centre is a beautifully designed green space that features examples of traditional Lanna (the former name for North Thailand) architecture, particularly the Haw Kham and the Haw Kaew, giant structures of teak.

Practical Info

Chiang Rai’s bus station and airport are both located to the south of the city centre.