Many tourists
think that they can ‘do’ Chiang Rai in two days. Let me outline some of the
wonderful and exciting activities that will keep you entertained for a whole
month.
Chiang Rai is
cooler, cleaner, quieter, safer, and cheaper than Bangkok. It is ideally suited
for exploring The Golden Triangle and as a base for forays into northern
Myanmar and down the Mekong River to Laos. It is 780km (484 miles) NE of
Bangkok, 180km (112 miles) NE of Chiang Mai, and some 60km south of the border
with Myanmar.
Many tours
sourced in Chiang Mai and Bangkok come to Chiang Rai Province. Why not stay
here, instead? In terms of action, we don’t have a great deal of nightlife. We
are a quiet and sleepy town. I am not certain that we are sleepy: I think we
are secretive.
Tourists come
here to relax, as well as to enjoy art, craft, nature, archaeology, trekking,
caving, rafting, X-treme sports, and many different traditional hill-tribe
cultures.
There are
three seasons: the hot season from March to May, the rainy season from May to
October, and the cool season from November to February. In the cool season, the
temperature can drop to 13 C at night.
Chiang Rai is
a traveler's paradise; it has many resorts, guesthouses, and hotels. Nature
lovers can also go camping at a National Park. Visitors typically spend a night
or two in or near to the city center.
Choosing
a place to stay during your holiday sometimes can be difficult and can lead to
problems. Asia Highlights is giving some information here for travelers who are
going to Chiang Rai. Accommodation prices in this city really depend on the
location, facilities, and the season. In this article, we have some
recommendations for hotels too! Check them out below.
Quick Facts
about Hotels in Chiang Rai
You will not
run out of hotels or resorts in Chiang Rai; there are plenty of options,
ranging from 3-star to 5-star hotels.
Staying in or
near the city makes it easier to go for a stroll there during your visit.
For a
peaceful and relaxing stay, pick a hotel that is not located in the city.
Chiang Rai's
peak season is in December and January which can lead to higher accommodation
prices.
Hotel prices
in Chiang Rai also depend on the location and facilities offered.
6-Day Chiang
Mai and Chiang Rai Highlights Tour:
Chiang Rai is
1280 ft above sea level. The addition of grassy plains, jungle canopies, and
rivers generally keep the valley cooler than the surrounding regions. The
annual average temperature is 25 º C and there are three main seasons in Chiang
Rai and all of them tend to offer much lower humidity than the rest of
Thailand. It is not unusual for most days to have some sunshine even in
the rainy season.
The Cool
Season: Daytime temperatures greatly contrast with the evening during the cool
season. The cool season begins in late October and ends in February. The
morning averages 21 º C, but the nighttime can drop an additional 10 to 15
degrees. December and January are the coldest winter months in Chiang
Rai. If your hotel has a swimming pool, expect it to be cold, typically
20 º C.
The Hot
Season: It can run between March and May. The daily temperature in March is 27
º C and late May rises to 36 º. Since April is the warmest month of the year,
try to visit Chiang Rai during the transition from the cool season to the hot
season. Early March offers refreshing weather. Swimming pools tend to be warmer
from late March onwards.
The Monsoon
Season: This is a particularly misty time of year though most days will feature
some sunshine. August & September may be a good time to visit as the
air is fresh and the views are good. Normally in the Wet Season, it rains in
the afternoon, evening, and night time but just for an hour or two. It is very
seldom any daylong rains and the worst rain is mid-July to mid-August.
The city very seldom has any serious flooding. The monsoons start in May and
end in October. Pack an umbrella, and raincoat and track the weather reports
for outdoor activities. Aside from the rain, the weather is quite mild. The
average temperature hovers at 25 ª C and swimming pools are comfortable.
Where to Stay
in Chiang Rai: 5 Best Areas
In this post,
we will be looking at Where to stay in Chiang Rai, the best area to stay in
Chiang Rai for first-time tourists, and the best hotels in Chiang Rai for all
budget travelers (including the hotel where I stayed).
Located in
Northern Thailand, Chiang Rai is only an hour from the Golden Triangle, the
meeting point of three countries: Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
Chiang Rai is
also close to Chiang Mai and Pai. You can take a flight from Bangkok to Chiang
Rai Airport, or take a local bus from Chiang Mai to go to Chiang Rai.
The best area
to stay in Chiang Rai depends on your personal preferences and interests.
Whether you prefer a central location, a quiet neighborhood, a riverside
setting, or a rural escape, Chiang Rai has something to offer for every type of
traveler.
Contents
Where to stay
in Chiang Rai first time?
Overviews of
best areas to stay in Chiang Rai
The best
areas to stay in Chiang Rai for tourists & first-timers are:
1. Clock
Tower
2. North
Sanambin Road
3. The
Riverside
4. Near
Highway 1/Airport
5. North
Chiang Rai
FAQs on Where
to stay in Chiang Rai
Summary –
Where to stay in Chiang Rai?
Where to stay
in Chiang Rai first time?
Some of the
best areas to stay in Chiang Rai for tourists are the Clock Tower Area, North
Sanambin Road, The Riverside, and North Chiang Rai. These are popular and safe
locations, offering a wide variety of attractions and amenities.
The Clock
Tower Area is the best overall area in Chiang Rai for first-timers because it
is the heart of the city. It offers a central location with easy access to
attractions, markets, restaurants, and nightlife. Staying here puts you in the
action and lively atmosphere.
Chiang Rai
itself is relatively small and compact. Anywhere you choose to stay in a
central location like the riverside, or the Clock Tower area, or around
Sanarmbin Road will be convenient for shops, restaurants, banks, and
infrastructure.
An
alternative to staying central is to choose an out-of-town location like the
North City, or close to the airport or main highway. These are convenient
locations only if you are traveling or have your own car or bike. So,
unless that is the case, then a central area may be the best place to stay in
Chiang Rai.
There are
some good quality 5-star hotels along the Kok River, so if you are looking for
a luxury hotel with river views, the riverside is the place to book your
accommodations. You can also find a good selection of mid-range and backpacker
hostels in the town center.
If you
prefer a more immersive experience, consider staying at a local homestay or an
eco-lodge in the surrounding villages. This can be an excellent way to
experience the local culture and lifestyle.
Where
did I stay in Chiang Rai?
When I
visited Chiang Rai, I stayed for 3 nights in the town center area at the Nak
Nakara Hotel. It is a popular 3-star hotel that has a great location, a short
walk from the Walking Street, Hill Tribe Museum, and Po Khun MengRai Monument.
Also easy access to the Night Bazaar and Chiang Rai Bus Terminal. It had a very
good breakfast and a nice room.
How to Travel
in Chiang Rai by Public Transportation
Find out the
way to travel in Chiang Rai by public transportation, then you know how to go
around the city or some famous places like Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Baan
Dam (Black House), Singha Park, or even more outskirts to nature spots like Doi
Tung, Doi Mae Salong, Doi Nang Non (The Cave), or Golden Triangle!
1Option
Public Bus
Start from
Baan Mai Kradan Hostel by going to Bus Terminal 1 (by walking around
10-15mins), then you can buy tickets starting from approximately 30 THB or 1
USD to go to White Temple (Platform No. 8: Mae Kachan), Black House (Platform
No. 7: Mae Sai). In case if you'd like to have more information, you can go to
the "Tourist Information Center". It's open every day from
8:00-17:00.
In addition,
the buses from "Platform No.7" can take you to Mae Sai, and then you
can take another local bus to go to Golden Triangle.
SECOND
OPTION: BLUE PICKUP (BUS TERMINAL 1)
At "Bus
Terminal 1", you can also find the "Blue Pick-up" that goes
around Chiang Rai's downtown (Rob Wiang line), They also go to White Temple,
and Black House at almost the same cost (around 30 THB); anyway, we suggest
that you should ask them before, as they may go to different routes from time
to time depending on the passengers!
Note:
"Red Pickup" is only for the passengers who go to Wiang Chai (another
district). Don't get on this red pickup.
Additionally,
apart from the buses, there are also Van Services going to Mae Sai, just a bit
further from Blue pickup parking.
THIRD OPTION:
BLUE PICKUP (LOCAL MARKET OR KAD LUANG)
You can
also go to "Municipality Market" which takes around 10 mins by walk
from Baan Mai Kradan Hostel to take the "Blue Pick-up". This local
terminal is just a bit further from The Old Clock Tower where you will find
them parking in front of the entrance to the market.
From there,
you can go to White Temple, Black House (available in the morning only), and
Singha Park, but you need to ask which ones going to where before, as unlike
"Bus Terminal 1", they don't have particular platforms. The cost is
approximately 30 THB.
TIPS:
As most of the places are closed around 5 PM, we suggest you go to the bus
terminal in the morning to have enough time to travel and then to prepare for
the way back to the city!
Chiang Rai is
the northernmost region of Thailand. It is located at the crossroads of Burma,
China, and Laos. The area is called the Golden Triangle, the former site of
global opium production. This has infused Chiang Rai with a mixture of cultural
practices and lifestyles.
Early
communities resided near Chiang Rai since the 7th century. It became the center
of the Lanna Thai Kingdom during the 13th century. Burma quickly captured the
region for its rich natural resources and textiles but Thailand reclaimed the
territory in 1786.
Thailand
means "Land of the Free People." There has been minimal, Western
colonial influence in Chiang Rai. Villages, paddy fields, and fruit tree
plantations cover the hillsides and plains. Entire clans reside together in
bamboo houses. Each village is like a small town with its characters.
Chiang Saen,
Mae Chan, Phaya MengRai and Doi Mae Salong are four substantially different
cities. Chiang Saen is home to a collection of Buddhist sculptures and temples.
It was the regional capital before the founding of Chiang Rai. Mae Chan is a
trading post for silver and tribal handicrafts. Doi Mae Salong is a Santi Khiri
village and is regarded as a particularly scenic area of Thailand.
Phaya MengRai means King MengRai and is named after one of the rulers of the
Lanna Kingdom, King MengRai was killed by a lightning strike