Wat Phra Kaeo - this beautiful Buddhist temple on Trairat Road right in town is famous for having housed, in the 14th century, the Emerald Buddha, one of the most famous Buddha images in Thailand. According to legend, the statue was (re)discovered when a bolt of lightning hit a chedi (stupa) on the grounds, cracking it open and revealing the Buddha inside. The temple grounds are lush with greenery and house a compact but excellent two-story airconditioned museum, with a near-exact replica (1mm shorter!) of the Emerald Buddha. The original is now housed in Bangkok in the temple of the same name, on the grounds of the Royal Palace.
Wat Phra Sing (วัดพระสิงห์) is located near the townhall used to house a major Buddha statue, the Phra Buddha Sihing, which is now enshrined in Chiang Mai. Like Wat Phra Kaeo, the temple now houses a replica instead. A special feature is the Lanna-style Ubosot and the wooden door panels carved by Chiang Rai contemporary craftsmen. Tel: 0 5374 5038
Wat Klong Wiang. Dating back to 1432, this is an excellent but little-visited temple showcasing exuberant Lanna style at its best. Check out the colourful guardian statues, the elephants in the back and the "No Killing Area" admonition at the entrance.
Wat Ming Meuang, intersection of Th Banphaprakan and Th Trairat. Small temple housing the spirit of the city (ming meuang) in an exquisitely carved and decorated Lanna-style, almost Laotian wiharn.
Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong (วัดพระธาตุดอยจอมทอง), located on Doi Chom Thong on the banks of the Kok River within town area, contains what is believed to be the oldest Holy Relic even before King Mengrai built Chiang Rai. The Chedi containing the Holy Relic was probably renovated at the same time the town was being built. A major religious site in Chiang Rai was from here that King Mengrai spotted the strategic location on which to establish the town. Tel: 0 5371 6055
White Temple (วัดร่องขุ่น Wat Rong Khun), located at Ban Rong Khun, Tambon Pa O Don Chai, along Phahonyothin roadside at Km. 816, approximately 13 km from the city. This unique modern temple was designed and built by artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat starting in 1998. A beautiful white ordination hall – Phra Ubosot - is decorated with silver glittering pieces of mirrors. There are large mural paintings of the Lord Buddha in different gestures. A gable is decorated with a gable apex, a leaf-shaped gable-edging – in the shapes of Phya Naga, dragon and mythical creatures, which are entirely made of white stucco. There are viharn, small hall for recitation surrounding the ordination hall, museum and reception pavilion. The gallery exhibits paintings of Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. Posters, drawing albums and T-shirts can be purchased. Work on the temple continues to this day, and it is not expected to be completed for the next few decades. The earnings will contribute to the fund for building the temple. It opens daily at 08:00 - 18:00. Call Tel: 0 5367 3579 Fax: 0 5367 3539. It's easy to get to the Temple by public transportation: There is a public bus from the Chiang Rai bus station (20 THB, 30min; in july 2012, platform 8 but ask driver or counter). To get back, flag down a public bus from the police station on the left side of the road leading back to the main highway.
Black House/Black Temple (Baan Dam), Created by Thailand national artist Thawan Duchanee, the grounds include nearly 40 small black houses made of wood, glass, concrete, bricks or terracotta in various unique styles and design scattered around the temple’s area. The cluster of houses accommodates Thawan’s collections of paintings, sculptures, animal bones, skins, horns and silver and gold items from around the world. Several of the houses exhibit Balinese and Burmese architecture and art dating back to the Ayutthaya period. The artist uses bones as a source of inspiration to paint. It is definately not a place for animal lovers. There are also various kinds of baskets and drums from many regions and countries on display at Ban Dam. Unfortunately, not all exhibits are open to public. It is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 to everyone except tour groups, and admission is free. For more information or to arrange group visits, call 08-9767-4444 or 05-370-5834. It is located about 10 km north of the city at Moo 13, Tambon Nang Lae, Muang, Chiang Rai. After driving 1.9 kms past the Chaing Rai University on Hwy 1, turn left into Soi 13, go 470 metres & turn left into a small soi, proceed 360 metres & it is on the left on a right hand corner.
Munniti Chiang Rai Across from Sammakkhi Wittayakhom School on Banpaprakan is this Taoist and Mahayana Buddhist temple, a rare sight in Theraveda Buddhist Thailand. There is a Shan house nearby. And on the road to Pattaya Noi is a temple dedicated to to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy featuring a large statue. In the Ban Kheck area is another Goddess of Mercy temple.
Chiang Rai First Church, its largest, was built in 1914 at PratuSiri corner. It's Presbyterian.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Chiang Rai
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Chiang Rai - updated May 2024
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Chiang Rai Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
