Chiang Rai Temples, Markets and Gardens

Our Chiang Rai Temples, Markets, and Gardens tour features some of the main highlights of Chiang Rai such as Wat Rong Khun and Wat Phra Kaew. We also visit lesser-known sights such as the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park and Kad Luang, the bustling central fresh market of Chiang Rai. We actively support the samlors (bicycle taxis) of Chiang Rai and make a relaxing ride. We end the day with visits to the magnificent Blue Temple and the giant statue of Kuan Im, the Goddess of Mercy.

This private tour starts and ends in Chiang Rai.

 

 

Price per person in THB
2 persons3 persons4 persons5 persons 6 persons7 persons8 persons
4,4003,4002,9002,6002,4002,2002,100

 

From: 4,400.00 ฿

Chiang Rai Temples, Markets, and Gardens

Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple

Your guide and driver will meet you at your Chiang Rai hotel at 0800 for your Chiang Rai Temples, Markets, and Gardens tour. This a private tour. Our first visit will be to Wat Rong Khun, aka the White Temple, about 10kms from Chiang Rai. Local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat created Wat Rong Khun, which has become the most popular attraction in Chiang Rai. The White Temple opened to the public in 1997, and since then, they have added several buildings. We will spend some time admiring this remarkable structure. Chalermchai is also a fantastic painter; his works are exhibited in a museum on the compound. After this visit, we will return to Chiang Rai and head for the statue of King Mangrai, the founder of Chiang Rai.

Explore Chiang Rai by Samlor

At the monument of Mangrai, our samlors are waiting for us. The samlor is the traditional bicycle taxi, known in other countries as cyclo (Vietnam) or rickshaw (Singapore). Unfortunately, the samlor is disappearing. There are probably about seventy left in Chiang Rai, and the drivers are mostly older men. We want to support the samlors in Chiang Rai. We pass the beautiful old City Hall, which dates back to 1899. Almost next is Wat Phra Singh, one of the oldest temples of Chiang Rai. We continue our samlor tour, passing through a street with magnificent rain trees.

Wat Phra Kaew is, without a doubt, Chiang Rai’s most famous temple, and it once housed the favorite Emerald Buddha image, which is now in Bangkok. We visit the museum and the principal temple before continuing to Kad Luang, Thai, for the “big market.” We take our time to chat with the vendors and taste some of the local delicacies being made in front of us. Our tour ends at one of our favorite Khao Soi restaurants, close to the spectacular clock tower.

The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park

After our lunch, the next destination is the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park. In many respects, it is very different from Wat Rong Khun but certainly not less interesting. The Park houses the most extensive collection in the region of art items and teak artifacts from the Lanna or Tai culture. The Tai culture includes the Tai minorities in North Thailand, such as the Tai Lue people, who also live in China’s southwestern region of Yunnan, eastern Myanmar or the Shan States, northwestern Vietnam, and western Laos. The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is part of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage. This extensive Park houses some beautiful, traditional Lanna-style buildings such as the Haw Kham (The Golden Pavillion) and Haw Kaew.

Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple

We started with the White Temple and ended with the Blue Temple. Wat Rong Suea Ten is the actual name of this temple that is constantly under development, and buildings are being added. The Blue Temple is stunning and attracts a growing number of visitors. Please note the beautiful statue of one of the most revered monks in North Thailand: Phra Upakhut. Not far from the Blue temple is the imposing Wat Huay Pla Kang. The statue is not a Buddha statue but an image of Kuan Im, aka Guan Yin, the goddess of compassion. An elevator in the figure will take you to a floor where you have a nice view of Chiang Rai and the surroundings.

It is time to return to the hotel. Your guide and driver will drop you off at the hotel. We hope you have enjoyed our Chiang Rai Temples, Markets, and Gardens tour. You can read more about all the things you can do here in Chiang Rai City and Province.

White statue of woman with dragon
Kuan Im statue at Wat Huay Pla Kang Chiang Rai

Highlights

Wat Rong Khun, the “White Temple”

Wat Phra Kaew, the former home of the Emerald Buddha

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park

Samlor (bicycle taxi) tour

Wat Huay Pla Kang with its giant Kuan Im statue

Wat Phra Singh, one of the oldest temples of Chiang Rai

Kad Luang, the old fresh food market

Wat Rong Sua Ten aka the “Blue Temple”

Inclusions

What is included

Transportation by private AC car
English speaking guide
Lunch
two kinds of fruit of the season
Thai snacks
Entrance fees
Drinking water during meals
Limited medical insurance

What is not included

All drinks except drinking water during meals
Personal expenses
Tips

Timeline

08.00 – Departure from hotel
08.30 – Visit Wat Rong Khun
09.30 – Drive to the statue of King Mangrai,
10.00 – Start Samlor ride
10.15 – visit Wat Phra Keaw
10.45 – visit Wat Phra Singh
11.15 – Visit local market, explore around and taste some local snack
12.00 – Samlor tour end and lunch
13.00 – Visit The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park
14.30 – Visit Wat Rong Suea Ten
15.30 – Visit Wat Huay Pha Klang
16.30 -Drop off at the hotel

What to bring/dress code

During this trip you will visit many Buddhist temples so we ask you to dress appropriately. Women should wear skirts longer than knee length or long trousers. No hot pants! Men also should wear long trousers as well. Please cover your shoulders.

We recommend you to bring a cap or hat against the sun. Wear easy walking shoes or sandals.