Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): southern Songkhla (Malaysia border), Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, within 50 km of the Thai-Cambodian border / L2: Tak / Special advisory: Chiang Saen (Laos border) and Mae Sai (Myanmar border) checkpoints / L1: rest of the country
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
since 2025-12-10 · checked 2026-10-01 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Thailand's northernmost province, with layered mountain ranges and a living Lanna culture. Visitors come for its striking art temples — the all-white Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), the blue Wat Rong Suea Ten and the black buildings of Baan Dam Museum — and for the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. It is smaller and quieter than Chiang Mai, good for an unhurried trip.
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Check prices →November to February is cool and dry, the best time to go, with December and January the coolest. March and April are very hot, and smoke from surrounding forest fires can make the air quality poor. May to October is the rainy season with afternoon showers but green hills.
At Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), the taxi counter is by Entrance 3 on the ground floor of the terminal. The official airport site lists a flat fare within Chiang Rai city; confirm it before you get in.
Chiang Rai is on Grab's official list of service areas. The fare is fixed in the app; follow the app for the airport pick-up point.
Flights from Korea to Chiang Rai usually connect via hubs such as Bangkok. Routes and schedules change often, so check with the airline.
You can also fly into Chiang Mai (CNX), which has more flights, and continue by intercity bus or car. The Tourism Authority of Thailand says the Green Bus takes about 3 hours; check times and fares with the operator.
Fixed fares mean no haggling. Handy for trips between town, the White Temple, the Blue Temple and Baan Dam.
Good for short hops around town. There is often no fare chart, so tell the driver where you are going and agree on the fare first.
For far-flung sights like the Golden Triangle or Doi Tung, hiring a car with driver for a half or full day is easiest. Agree on the route, hours and price first.
The town centre around the Clock Tower, the Night Bazaar and Wat Phra Kaew are walkable. Midday is hot, so bring a hat and water.
Good for: First visit, restaurants, easy transport
Restaurants and places to stay cluster around the Clock Tower in the middle of town. Wat Phra Kaew and the night market are within walking distance.
Good for: Night market, evening strolls
The area around the night market off Phahonyothin Road, with food and souvenir stalls every evening. Lively until late.
Good for: Quiet stays, resorts
Quieter places to stay line the Kok River north of the centre. Close to the Blue Temple; you will need a car into town.
Good for: Border views, a relaxed overnight
The Mekong area where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. It is far from town, so some travelers stay a night and combine it with Doi Tung.
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An all-white temple designed and built by Lanna-art specialist Chalermchai Kositpipat; its white hall decorated with mirror pieces is the signature. Check the foreign-visitor fee and opening hours officially, and cover shoulders and knees.
A temple in shades of blue set against gold, with a white Buddha statue and murals of Buddhist history inside the main hall. It is about 300 m from the Kok River Bridge, close to town.
Created by National Artist Thawan Duchanee, it spreads artworks across more than 25 black buildings in northern traditional style. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists it as open daily 09:00-17:00; check the entry fee officially.
One of the oldest temples in town and once home to the Emerald Buddha. An easy walk from the centre.
Where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong. It is far from town, so hire a car and allow at least half a day.
An interactive museum at the Golden Triangle, based on almost ten years of research, telling the 5,000-year history of opium and the region's past. It was created by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation.
The Mae Fah Luang Foundation's Doi Tung development area, where you can combine the Royal Villa, the Mae Fah Luang Garden with its winter flowers, and the twin Lanna-style stupas of Wat Phra That Doi Tung. The road is winding, so a hired car is easiest.
The Night Bazaar is an evening market. On Saturdays, a Walking Street runs along Thanalai Road in the centre from 4 pm to midnight, full of crafts and food.
The north's signature noodles: coconut curry broth with boiled and crispy noodles. About 60-100 THB at local spots.
Rice noodles in a tangy northern broth of tomato and pork. A northern dish not to miss in Chiang Rai.
Northern sausage with lemongrass and herbs, easy to find at markets and night markets.
A spicy northern dip of roasted green chilies, eaten with vegetables and crispy pork skin.
Skewers, mango sticky rice, fruit shakes and other cheap bites. Carry small cash.
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Check in, an afternoon walk to Wat Phra Kaew and around the Clock Tower, then the Night Bazaar. (On a Saturday, the Walking Street.)
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) early, khao soi for lunch, Baan Dam Museum in the afternoon, then Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) late in the day.
Hire a car for a full day: Doi Tung (Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden), then the Golden Triangle and Hall of Opium, and a massage back in town.
Morning market and souvenirs, then the airport (leave town with plenty of time).
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