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
