What to Do in the Small City of Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai, Thailand

In my previous post, I wrote about the three main attractions that drive visitors to Chiang Rai – the Blue Temple, the White Temple and the Black House. None of these are in the town centre, but this is still the best place to stay as a base. The bus station has a central location, perfect for a seamless journey from and back to Chiang Mai.

My first impression when I first got off the bus station was immediately one of quietness. After having spent time in Bangkok and Chaing Mai, both busy cities, I welcomed the much more laid-back atmosphere of Chiang Rai.

The town itself had little to do, but enough to entertain you if you are only spending a couple nights here. The night market for instance was a big letdown after coming from Chiang Mai. I was hoping I could find here a more varied and unique collection of handcrafts at potentially lower prices, but this wasn’t true. I suppose they send all the good stuff to Chiang Mai, where the crowds and demand are higher.

There is some nice street art here and there, with the bus station particularly colourful with paintings portraying the diverse ethnic groups of the area. I always find bus stations to be so unwelcoming across many parts of the world (particularly the ones in my country, Portugal) but being welcomed with such joyful art was almost a reassurance – I was welcomed there. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).