Weekend Escape to Chiang Rai (2 Days 1 Night Itinerary Included)
Last updated March 28, 2024
Wat Rong Khun or known as White Temple is a highlight of my trip.
Unfortunately, Chiang Rai has been facing the PM 2.5 air pollution crisis in recent months. Please make sure to check the air quality prior to your trip. You can check updated air quality via this link.
If you want a relaxing weekend trip to get away from bustling Bangkok, consider visiting Chiang Rai, a charming city known for its beautiful temples. With its peaceful atmosphere and stunning architecture, Chiang Rai is a great destination.
Not having planned anything in advance, I relied on some local suggestions and my friends from Lampang who gladly joined me on this spontaneous adventure. If you find yourself unsure of where to go in Chiang Rai, don't worry – I'm here to provide you with some inspiration from my own travel plan. So, keep reading and join me the journey. Bonus tip, my 2 days 1 night full itinerary is also included for your info!
Fun fact about Chiang Rai: The province gained international attention in 2018 when the world held its breath for a group of boys and their soccer coach trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave. A complex underwater operation involving international collaboration successfully rescued them. Their survival without food, while clinging to hope, became a powerful symbol of human resilience.
I took Air Asia flight departure at 7:05 am from Don Muang International Airport. Just in time to catch a beautiful sunrise.
Day 1 - Let’s go!
1. Check in at Riva Vista Riverfront Resort
Taking a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is very convenient. It only takes about one hour. Once you reach the airport, you can easily use Grab get a ride to your hotel. Grab is the ride-hailing app which is most commonly used in Thailand, so I’d recommend you to download the app in your phone.
Chiang Rai has a wide range of hotels and resorts, but the selection of 4 and 5-star options is limited compared to other major destinations like Chiang Mai. For the ideal location, I suggest to stay near the famous Kok River so that you can enjoy the scenic view during your stay. With this in mind, I chose to try the new boutique hotel called Riva Vista Riverfront Resort Chiang Rai which is located right next to Kok river. The hotel is also located near the Blue Temple that I wanted to visit. The room type that I chose is Deluxe River View Double Bed with a spacious bathtub. I like the decoration of this hotel and the bed is big and comfortable!
If you are interested in staying at the same hotel, book your stay here
2. Breakfast at Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar
Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar is a cute cafe right next to the hotel. It is only 5 minutes walking distance, so I recommend coming here to enjoy the Kok Riverview while enjoy your cup of coffee to kickstart your morning. The lush and greenery at this cafe is fantastic, making it a perfect escape from Bangkok. I also find the decoration to be cute and inviting.
They have both outdoor and indoor areas. For the menu, they have a generous selection of both northern Thai food and western dishes as well as cakes. And because they have wide selection of food, this is a great spot for all-day dining or coffee break.
3. Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
Thank you to a hotel staff for giving me a super early check-in! After I rested and unpacked, I decided to walk from the hotel to visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple).
Wat Rong Suea was restored by Phutta Kabkaew, a local artist and a student of the famous artist and the creator of the White Temple, Chalermchai Kositpipat. What makes Wat Rong Suea stand out is probably its azure exterior that shimmers in the sunlight. The vibrant blue, not a traditional color for Thai temples, makes this temple unique. As for the architecture, it's a blend of Lanna-Lao tradition, reflected in intricate carvings, steeply angled gabled roofs, and ornate details showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage.
Compared to the White Temple, this temple is smaller and less crowded, which I found enjoyable as it allowed me to spend time praying in peace. So, what does the blue color represent? It represents a space for reflection and spiritual growth.
4. Por Jai Restaurant
After visiting the temple, my friends came to pick me up. We were all starving and luckily Por Jai Restaurant was not too far from us. All three of us were super happy to eat at this place because they serve one of the best Northern food we have ever had! And this statement is strong especially coming from my friends who were born and raised in the Northern region. And heres’s what we order.
Khao soi is a famous rich and flavorful curry noodle soup made with a coconut milk broth, yellow curry paste, egg noodles, and protein like chicken or beef. The curry paste is the key ingredient and reason why it is so aromatic. The chilil paste is consisted of turmeric, chilies, lemongrass, galangal, and other spices. And the noodle is yellow thick, wheat-based egg noodles which a bit chewy. These noodles are served both soft and crispy in the same bowl. This gives a dish a fantastic textural contrast. When you eat Khao soi, make sure to add shallots, onions, pickled mustard greens, lime wedges, and chili flakes for extra flavor.
Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao is a traditional Northern Thai dish made with rice vermicelli noodles, a pork or beef curry, and a variety of toppings such as pork blood, fried dry chilies and garlic. The curry is typically made with a blend of spices, including turmeric, chili peppers, and lemongrass. It is then simmered with pork or beef until the meat is tender.
Sai Oua is grilled sausage and a staple food in the Northern region. It is made with minced pork meat, spices, and kaeng khua red curry paste. This is the most aromatic sausage in Thailand. Packed with many different herbs and spices like lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, cilantro, chilies, garlic, and turmeric, the curry paste creates an irresistible flavor. Just one bite will have you hooked. Also, good Sai Oua should not have too much fat, and this place serves it perfectly.
I suggest you each order noodles, and you can share a Sai Oua. Go easy on their chili flakes, as they're very spicy!
How to get here
5. Singh Park
After lunch, we decided to have a relaxing time and enjoy a nice cup of iced coffee at Singh Park. Come here if you want to immerse yourself in nature at Chiang Rai's park, owned by the makers of Singha Beer, Boon Rawd Brewery.
This is one of the largest parks in Thailand and this park has a tons of activities that you can do such as ziplining and cycling. Sometimes, they would have festival or concert here too. But for us, a leisurely coffee amidst this farm-like haven was perfect. We also enjoyed admiring the tea plantation from one of their view points.
Beautiful mountain as a background behind us.
6. Clock Tower Chiang Rai + Walking Street Chiang Rai
Clock Tower Chiang Rai is located at the intersection of Thanalok and Singharat Roads, only five minutes from from the Walking Street Chiang Rai. The clock tower’s original name is Hoh Nalika Chalerm Prakiat. It was constructed in 2008 to honor His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. The clock tower is designed by famous artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat who also built the famous White Temple. So, you can notice the similarity in style of its signature distinctive architectural style as the White Temple. The design has the elaborately decorated with gold leaf and mythical figures representing auspiciousness and prosperity. It is served as a traffic roundabout but also attracts visitors with its grandeur and night time illuminations.
A short stroll from the iconic clock leads you to the lively Walking Street & Night Market which is bursting with many delicious food options. Don’t forget to indulge in savory snacks like fish balls, fried pork, and sticky rice, alongside countless other treats. This is a perfect and affordable spot for dinner! While I don't have a specific recommendation, I suggest follow your instincts and just try!
How to get here
The Clock Tower and the full moon.
7. Vinyl & Wine
Late night drink is a must when you are among great friends. Vinyl & Wine is a small wine shop selling great drinks and Italian food. It is about 10 minutes drive from the market. The bar has live band with good vibe and warm atmosphere.
There were many young locals on the night we visited. The service was also great and the waitress helped us choose a bottle which was delicious. If you are looking for a cool vibe to hang out in Chiang Rai, I think this is the best bar for it. So, don’t forget to check it out!
Day 2
1. Brunch at the hotel
After a long day, on our first day, we decided to take it easy and spent hours enjoying the breakfast buffet at the hotel. Their buffet offers extensive hot food stations, serving dishes from the north to noodle soup. They also have standard western breakfast items, like omelettes, sausage, and bacon.
There are two dining areas in the breakfast restaurant: indoor with AC and outdoor. I found it to be ample and delicious, despite the buffet line not being as large as some other hotels chains.
2. Wat Rong Khun - White Temple
Wat Rong Khun or known as the White Temple was a reason why I took this trip. Wat Rong Khun is designed and built by renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and he also contributed more than 40 million Baht out of his own pocket to build this temple. The temple embodies his creative vision. Intricate sculptures, detailed carvings, and thought-provoking artwork throughout showcase his artistic genius.
The shimmering white exterior is truly stunning. Crafted from whitewash and embedded with reflective glass mosaics, the temple gleams under the sun, creating an almost ethereal sight. Having always wanted to visit this temple, I was thrilled to finally see it. If you're Buddhist, walking across the Bridge of Suffering truly paints a picture of what you've been taught about the afterlife. The artist depicts the scene with outstretched hands symbolizing desires that trap us, like greed. Reaching the Gate of Heaven signifies liberation from worldly attachments.
Inside the Viharn (main hall), murals depicting both Buddhist teachings and contemporary social issues prompt self-reflection. The white color of the temple represents purity and out of desire.
3. Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort
We had a little bit of time left, so we decided to rest at Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort before I had to head to the airport. The hotel is not too far from the airport and it has a beautiful lush garden, making it a perfect stop for coffee break.
We headed to the restaurant by the river to enjoy the view before leaving for the last time. The hotel has nice facilities such as big swimming pool and the hotel seemed very nice and peaceful. Maybe next time I stay here?
Safely arrive to Bangkok!
For other attractions in Chiang Rai, you can consider Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Huay Pla Kang (Big Buddha Temple), Elephant Peace Project or even cross to Mae Sai (border to Myanmar).
I hope you enjoy a virtual trip to Chiang Rai with me! You can fit in more stops if you want, but I prefer a more relaxed itinerary. So if you enjoy the same, feel free to Download Chiang Rai 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary in PDF here.
As always, wishing you a wonderful time in Thailand and I hope you love my country as much as I do!
