Things to do in Chiang Rai

Wat Phra Singh's principal entrance is situated down a small side street off Singhaklai Road – walk by the peach painted walls until you see the ornate white gateway. Directly ahead of you is the main worshipping hall with its elaborate tiered roof, constructed, it’s thought, in 1385 and which is regarded as a fine example of Chiang Saen style architecture. It used to house the prestigious ... Read more about Wat Phra Singh .

According to Thai historians there has been a stupa on this low hill since the 10th century, when it was raised to hold a Buddha relic – hence the ‘Prathat’ title. The local king at the time – presumably Mon – ordered some relics which had come into his hands to be split between the 3 hill-top temples of Wat Doi Tung, Wat Doi Chom Thong and Wat Prathat Chom Kiti in Chiang Saen district. ... Read more about Wat Prathat Doi Chom Thong .

Oub Kham Museum was another of those sites where we moaned about the admission price but came out thoroughly glad we paid. An amazing and priceless display; beautifully presented in a spectacular setting. Seeing we had a particular interest in Southeast Asian ethnology the museum curator, Julasak Suriyachai, gave us a personal guided tour – especially interesting since he is a direct ... Read more about Oub Kham Museum .

Not really sure how appropriate a ‘museum’ is when tens of thousands of the subject matter – i.e. hill-tribe minorities - live in the hills outside town? Perhaps cultural centre of something would have been better and contents are mostly everyday objects and standard traditional dress that you can still see in many villages anyway. Explanations tend to be anecdotal; a particular festival or ... Read more about Hill-tribe Museum and Population and Community Development Education Centre .

There’s an extensive municipal market area off both sides of Uttarakit Road, (one block north of Thanalai), and goes by several names, including Talad Ngam Muang, Talad Tesaban and Talad Luang Chiang Rai. This sprawling labyrinth of indoor and pavement stalls is the city’s largest wet market and as one section closes another opens so it is, de facto, open 24 hours. You’ll see local ... Read more about Municipal market .

If you haven’t done a course in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or elsewhere yet then this may be your last chance to put into practice some Thai cookery before you head off on a slow boat down the Mekong. We came across at least two well publicised classes, though there may be more, and they looked equally good. Both have kitchens outside of town so don’t have an office or kitchen in town and you’d ... Read more about Cooking classes .

The vast majority of the roads in northern Thailand are paved and 99 times out of a 100 a Honda Dream will be more than sufficient (as long as you don't mind the occasion sections spent permanently in first gear). A very interesting and little trafficked route is the Chiang Rai Loop -- a fun and beautiful ride with dozens of kilometres of stunning scenery and next to no ... Read more about Motorcycling the Chiang Rai loop .

Perhaps better referred to as “Up the Kok Without a Paddle“, since this day tour up the left bank of the Kok River and returning to Chiang Rai by the right bank involves no boats at all and is eminently suitable for cycling or, for the less energetic, motorbike. The scenery is great; sights are varied, the route is mostly flat for cyclists and in good condition for motorbikes. The loop is ... Read more about Kok Valley Cycling tour .

Wonderful scenery, varied sites and relatively easy riding make this short version of the Mae Salong loop through the mountains of western Chiang Rai a great trip if you have a couple of days to spare. The lengthier Mae Salong loop takes in Chiang Dao, Fang and Tha Ton but this is a shorter, two-day road trip, starting and finishing in Chiang Rai, and including an overnight stay in Mae ... Read more about Shorter Mae Salong loop .