Some of the most rewarding travel experiences come from seeing a place through the eyes of a local, and that’s exactly what we found in Chiang Rai. One of Kat’s best friends (Elli) is from Chiang Rai, so recently we decided it was time to finally explore her hometown together. We didn’t know what to expect going into the trip, but after three days of incredible local experiences we were totally blown away by this gem of Northern Thailand.

There were five of us friends in total, meeting in Chiang Mai to kick things off. We hired a large SUV and set off on the main highway to Chiang Rai, a three hour journey which was full of road works unfortunately. But our first stop, at the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) just outside the city, set the stage for things to come. We then checked into our hotel and headed out for dinner with Elli’s family. This was an experience Cam in particular wasn’t prepared for: frogs, frogs and more frogs!

Although he couldn’t quite stomach everything, it was still an authentic introduction to Northern Thai cuisine. Luckily, a few moments later, we visited the Chiang Rai Walking Street and found some more palatable options for Cam. Walking the bustling streets on a Saturday night, seeing all sorts of weird and wonderful street food being whipped up, and watching the locals do the “Ram Wong” folk dance was a sensory overload in the best way possible. We had arrived in Lanna country and it was going to be different to anything else we’ve experienced in Thailand.

For the next few days, we let Elli guide us around as she was determined to show us the best of her province. We got into friendly water fights with the locals, watched a Thai superstar put on a show at a raging nightclub, visited a sheep farm high in the mountains, and tried some bizarre but brilliant dishes like Grilled Bee Larvae (Aep Pheung). We left feeling exhausted, it was a fast-paced trip, but grateful for the special memories we made with friends old and new. We also picked up some insider knowledge about Chiang Rai which we’d love to share with you below.

Chiang Rai - Akha Farmville — *Kat & Elli at Akha Farmville, Chiang Rai*

Chiang Rai - White Temple — *White Temple*

Chiang Rai - Blue Temple — *Blue Temple*

10 Unique Things To Do in Chiang Rai

1. Go Rafting at Mae Suai Dam

The highlight from our Chiang Rai trip was definitely the rafting adventure we had at Mae Suai Dam. We got dressed up as a team, with red tops and bucket hats, bought a few buckets and water pistols, and started with what was supposed to be a peaceful lunch by the river. Rubber rafts full of enthusiastic locals floated past us and as soon as they noticed a few “farangs” (Westerners) in our group, we got absolutely soaked! Most of our lunch got ruined but we knew we were in for a thrilling experience.

After sitting by the river for a while, and doing our own share of splashing, we got collected in a pickup truck and headed down to the starting point of the rafting experience. We jumped on our rubber raft, equipped with a cooler full of beers, and started floating down the river with music blaring from some waterproof speakers. Throughout the ride, we would try to soak as many people as possible - with buckets, water pistols or just using our hands. Locals would yell out “farang” and we would be instantly targeted, but just like Songkran it was all done in a spirit of fun and good cheer.

This is a seasonal experience which runs from mid-February to mid-May, a way for locals to cool down from the summer heat. We went in March and it was buzzing with life, yet we didn’t see any other tourists here. The water gets released from the dam, and is super clean and refreshing. Just be wary of how much beer you drink - it’s easy to lose your footing on the rocky floor and float away downstream. Apart from that, it’s a safe and even family-friendly activity to enjoy. The locals really embrace you as a foreigner and love to see you participating in a beloved Chiang Rai tradition.

Chiang Rai - Rafting at Mae Suai Dam — *Rafting at Mae Suai Dam*

Rafting at Mae Suai Dam - Mini Songkran — *Rafting at Mae Suai Dam*

Rafting at Mae Suai Dam - Chiang Rai — *Rafting at Mae Suai Dam*

Chiang Rai - Local Rafting — *Rafting at Mae Suai Dam*

2. Explore the Chiang Rai Walking Street (Saturday)

We were lucky enough to time our trip with the Chiang Rai Walking Street which only opens on Saturday evenings. This is a huge, open-air market down Thanalai Road - considered the most vibrant and authentic market in the whole city. In addition to the food, we loved watching the locals do a type of line dancing called “Ram Wong” where they all move in unison. There were some cool, creative dance moves on display and it just adds to the atmosphere of the market. If you can’t make it on Saturday, another great option is the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar which is open everyday.

Chiang Mai - Locals Dancing — *Locals dancing*

3. Admire the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)

Chiang Rai is famous for its colorful, intricately designed temples and Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) was our favorite of them all. The blue murals inside the temple were extraordinary and the white porcelain Buddha statue in the center of the room had a real presence to it, especially when locals would pray and make merit. Thai artist Phuttha Kabkaew designed the Blue Temple and, interestingly, was a student of the famous artist who designed the White Temple. Be sure to try the blue coconut ice cream from the outside vendors and take a photo next to the detailed facades.

Chiang Rai - Blue Temple Prayer — *Blue Temple*

Chiang Rai - Blue Temple Murals — *Blue Temple*

Chiang Rai - Blue Temple Ice Cream — *Blue coconut ice cream*

4. Have Lunch at Chivit Thamma Da

Chivit Thamma Da is a coffee house, bistro and bar known for its vintage European-style decor. After being on a diet of frogs and fried insects, Cam needed to order a burger while the girls ordered smoothies and Thai food to share. We also drank beer out of silver mugs, saw roosters wandering around the property, and took photos of the classic cars parked outside the front. Chivit Thamma Da is just around the corner from the Blue Temple, so it’s easy to combine the two in the late morning or early afternoon.

Chivit Thamma Da - Chiang Rai — *Chivit Thamma Da*

Chiang Rai - Chivit Thamma Da - Riverside — *Chivit Thamma Da*

Chivit Thamma Da Near Blue Temple — *Chivit Thamma Da*

5. See the Sheep Farm at Akha Farmville

Since one of our friends was traveling with their daughter, we made time to visit Akha Farmville: a sheep farm and cafe on Doi Chang mountain. Even though it sounds like a family-orientated activity, we mainly saw adults here attempting to take “Instagrammable” shots of the sheep and carousel. Akha Farmville has been compared to New Zealand, which Cam found hilarious - traveling all the way to Thailand just to be around sheep he’s used to seeing back home. But it was still a cool experience, especially watching the dogs round up the flock and trying the sheep milk ice cream.

Chiang Rai - Akha Farmville Carousel — *Akha Farmville*

Chiang Rai - Sheep Farm — *Akha Farmville*

Sheep Farm in Chiang Rai — *Akha Farmville*

6. Visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

Located just 20 minutes out of town, the White Temple was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat (a Thai visual artist) who chose the color white to represent the purity of Buddha. He designed the Bridge of Rebirth, the most famous part of the temple, where visitors cross a bridge over a pit of reaching hands which represent hell. As you walk over the bridge, you enter the main chapel which signifies the transition from suffering to nirvana. The temple is full of symbolism and meaning but for most it’s just an architecturally stunning building, with mosaics glistening in the sun.

Chiang Rai - Kat at White Temple — *White Temple*

White Temple in Chiang Rai — *White Temple*

Chiang Rai - White Temple Design — *White Temple*

White Temple - Chiang Rai - Detail — *White Temple*

7. Watch Live Music or a Show at Tawandang Mahason

On our last night in Chiang Rai, Elli organised tickets for us to see a Thai singer called Kong Huayrai perform his live show. It was held at Tawandang Mahason, a type of “show pub” that’s a mix between a restaurant and nightclub. Again, we were the only “farangs” in the crowd and got to experience a unique local phenomenon. Essentially, you book tables, order food while some entertainment takes place, continue drinking, and then the main performer comes on stage and a dance floor opens up.

Kat and Elli were pumped to see a Thai “superstar” in the flesh while Cam was just enjoying the show, even if he couldn’t understand the lyrics. It was a wild night, with perhaps one too many bottles of whisky being ordered, but it was a lot of fun! Seeing young Thais in their element, standing on chairs singing together, in a boisterous local venue was just awesome. Tawandang Mahason often hosts live music or big shows on the weekends, so do some research and you might be able to tee up a special night out.

Chiang Rai - Kong Huayrai — *Kong Huayrai*

Chiang Rai - Tawandang Mahason Nightclub — *Tawandang Mahason*

Chiang Rai - Concert — *Tawandang Mahason*

Chiang Rai - Tawandang Mahason — *Tawandang Mahason*

Chiang Rai - Live Music Show — *Tawandang Mahason*

8. Try Chiang Rai’s Specialty Frog Dishes

The first dinner with Elli and her family was a baptism of fire for Cam. Food was ordered for us and there wasn’t any beef, chicken or pork in sight - just an endless array of frog dishes. He tried frogs with herbs, some frog soup, and even crispy frog skin but he couldn’t quite stomach the strange flavor. That’s not to say he hated the experience, far from it. Eating with locals isn’t about loving every bite, it’s about showing respect and bonding together over food. Maybe on his second visit he’ll develop a taste for frogs!

Chiang Rai - Frog Dishes — *Frog dishes*

9. Eat Mookata, An Iconic Northern Thai Meal

Mookata is a popular, social meal enjoyed right across Northern Thailand and in Chiang Rai there are endless local joints to choose from. It’s absolutely delicious when it’s done right: thick cuts of pork and plump prawns sizzling on the grill, surrounded by a soup of fresh vegetables, egg and noodles. The best part is the dipping sauces: a citrus-based, spicier option for the seafood and a chilli-based, sweeter option for the meats. This is a wonderful experience to enjoy outside on cooler Chiang Rai nights where the heat from the grill warms you up inside and out.

10. Venture Out to Phu Chi Fa for Sunrise

This was something we had on our bucket-list but unfortunately we ran out of time. Phu Chi Fa is a famous mountainous area in Thailand offering an amazing sunrise experience. However getting there, especially for the crack of dawn, requires a massive effort: a 2-3 hour drive each way from Chiang Rai city. Most travelers arrange a private driver, organise a sunrise tour or stay at a guesthouse at the base of the mountain. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness a “sea of clouds” over the bordering country of Laos!

Where to Stay in Chiang Rai

FAQs About Visiting Chiang Rai

When is the best time to visit Chiang Rai?

We visited Chiang Rai at the start of March and to be honest we were a little worried about arriving in the middle of the “burning season” (January to April). However, the air quality wasn’t too bad and we didn’t notice much haze in the air at all. This is also supposed to be the hottest part of the year, but coming from the stifling Bangkok it felt noticeably cooler. The most popular time to visit is between November and February, the supposed cool season, but Chiang Rai is a year-round destination that offers a lot in the rainy season as well: lush, misty landscapes and lower hotel rates.

What’s the best way to get to Chiang Rai?

Flying from Bangkok is easy and self-explanatory. You can also take the bus from Chiang Mai. But we suggest hiring a car or motorbike and exploring Northern Thailand at your own pace. On our return trip to Chiang Mai, we decided to take Route 1 which eventually connects back up to Route 118, but bypasses most of the roadworks and takes you on a more scenic journey. It’s far less stressful and only adds about 40 minutes to the trip.

Is Chiang Rai Better than Chiang Mai?

This was our first experience in Chiang Rai but we’ve enjoyed many visits to Chiang Mai over the years as well. In all honesty, we can’t say which city is better. We love them both equally. Chiang Mai is more touristy, there’s no question about that, however it has some cool student areas and hangout spots by the river. Chiang Rai feels like you’re traveling off-the-beaten-path, giving you more of a culture shock but also a sense of adventure. Chiang Rai is more open and less crowded, which might be its primary advantage.

Chiang Rai - Local Temple — *Local temple in Chiang Rai*

Chiang Rai at Night — *Chiang Rai at night*

10 Unique Things To Do in Chiang Rai: A Local’s Guide