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Chiang Rai had been on our list for a long time. Our first attempt was cancelled when floods hit the area. This time we did it properly, with an overnight stay instead of a rushed day tour.
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Getting there: Green Bus (buy at the counter)
From Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, the Green Bus leaves from counters 20–21 and takes about 3 hours 40 minutes. We paid 196 baht per person at the counter. Online it was almost double. We reached our hotel around 2:30 pm.
The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
It closes around 5 pm, so go straight there. Tickets were about 100 baht.
Dress code: no knee-length one-pieces or sleeveless tops. Carry a shawl or wrap (we always do in Thailand).
Honestly, it's one of the most beautiful temples we've ever seen: all white, covered in mirror work, calm and almost unreal. Don't miss the wishing tree covered in coins, and the golden washroom building (yes, really). It's hot even in November, so go in the morning or late afternoon.
Big Buddha (Wat Huay Pla Kang)
About 15–20 minutes from the White Temple. The giant statue is actually Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, and the temple mixes Thai and Chinese architecture, with dragons on the dome. Going up inside costs 40 baht. There are small lifts, which we missed, so we climbed.
Lalitta Café
Our bucket-list café: a misty fairy-tale garden around a waterfall. Entry is 60 baht, and they even hand out raincoats for the mist. We stayed for ages. More: best cafés in Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar (daily, roughly 6–11 pm)
On a weekday it's small, with the same Thai pyjamas, wraps, elephant handicrafts and magnets as Chiang Mai. We bought a coconut-shell fridge magnet, and a wooden Ganesha was about 400 baht.
Skip: crocodile and stingray-skin goods (trouble at Indian customs), and "Kashmiri pashmina" for 150 baht. Sunaina is Kashmiri, and real pashmina costs a lot more than that.
The food court is the best part:
- Crispy fried prawns: 40 baht, super cheap.
- Deep-fried chicken tenders.
- Thai hotpot: a broth you cook noodles, mushrooms and veg in. Add chicken or fish if you like.
- Salt-grilled whole fish with spicy sauce: simple and delicious.
Live Agoda prices. Book on Agoda at the same price, and we earn a small commission.
Open Agoda →Day 2: the Blue Temple.
FAQs
What time does the White Temple close?
Around 5 pm, so visit it first if you arrive in Chiang Rai in the afternoon.
What should I wear to the White Temple?
Cover your knees and shoulders. One-piece dresses above the knee and sleeveless tops aren't allowed.
How do I get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
Green Bus from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, about 3 hours 40 minutes. We paid 196 baht each at the counter.
TAGS: CHIANG RAI · WHITE TEMPLE · BIG BUDDHA · LALITTA CAFE · THAILAND
💬 Questions & answers
NO QUESTIONS YET. ASK US ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TRIP.
Prashant & Sunaina
A travel couple from Pune with Kashmiri Pandit × Maharashtrian roots, 8+ countries and counting. Every rupee shared.
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