Two Nights, Two Days In And About Chiang Rai ... Ideas?

[David48]

Two Nights, Two Days in and about Chiang Rai ... Ideas?

Myself, my sister, my gf will (hopefully) be driving from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in November.

I searched back through this Forum for 12 months and havn't seen this question covered.

Last time I was in Chiang Rai was 5 years ago.

So, 3 Adults, a Thai speaker, a car and an enquiring mind.

Any suggestions?

• Recommended place to stay (budget)
  

• Recommended day and night-time activities
  

• If you visit Chiang Rai you should visit/see/eat/experience this
  

• Drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai you must see this
  

All contributions welcome and I thank you all in Advance ...

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[harrry]

You could have a cricket match.

[villagefarang]

There is so much to see and do, it is difficult to know where to begin. Here is a tiny selection of images.

White Temple

Doi Mae Salong

Elephant Camp

Black Village

Doi Tung

Central Plaza

Doy Din Dang

Chivit Thamma Da

Mekong River

Hot Springs

[villagefarang]

On a more down home level, here is one of my favorite posts from pomchop.

walking along chiang rai beach on a cool december morning

watching the rice harvest in mid november from my deck

watching the morning "rush hour" with Thais bundled up on their motorcys like they are going to the artic

watching the afternoon market being set up

buying fruits and veggies at some of the lowest prices on earth from roadside pickup truck markets

watching the gem boat guys sifting through gravel in the mae kok

watching thai kids ride their bikes with their dog following along

watching the young monks doing their morning rounds

riding my motorbike along the mae kok with no traffic in sight

watching the total chaos of saturday shopping at big C

eating fantastic food at give away prices at many CR restaurants

attending the annual chiang rai flower festival

planting a variety of plants/trees in my yard and being amazed at how fast they grow

watching the neighbors get all excited about killing and cooking a snake

walking around downtown chiang rai on a cool clear december morning

having a cold beer in the garden area of peace bar

taking visitors for a tour of the Red Rose Hotel

watching the light show at the clock tower

watching the hustle and bustle of the night market and the mix of thais and tourists

riding the "refugee bus" from chiang rai to mae sai and seeing what kind of characters show up

buying exotic plants at nurseries that would cost a fortune in the west for a few baht

watching the thai high schools students hanging out and goofing around after classes

having a pretty thai girl give me a big smile for no particular reason

having thai kids practice their limited "i am fine" english out on me

practicing my limited thai with thai kids and having them stare wide eyed at the farang before breaking into giggles

watching the beautiful orange blossoms appear throughtout chiang rai

[villagefarang]

Don’t forget the Saturday night walking street or the numerous waterfalls and reservoirs. If you are here at the right time you could always stop by the hash or potluck. No need to take the 118 highway from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Take the 107 toward Fang and cut across on either the 1150 or later on the 109 to enjoy some beautiful backcountry driving.

[David48]

To VF ... my absoloute thanks for the posts above ...

I will absorb and maybe return for some more questions at a later time.

When I looked at posing my question I looked at every post back 1 year.

thanks for having the Forum knowledge to display the one from pomchop.

[David48]

When I did the above search I did uncover 1 or 2 about hotel accommodation ... but always welcome more input.

Closer to Budget then 5 star ... then again ... the ladies do like their comfort ...

Actually I know the above question is the hardest to ask because most of the contributors actually live here.

[villagefarang]

When I did the above search I did uncover 1 or 2 about hotel accommodation ... but always welcome more input.

Closer to Budget then 5 star ... then again ... the ladies do like their comfort ...

Actually I know the above question is the hardest to ask because most of the contributors actually live here.

That is exactly why I avoided the where to stay part of your question. For the most part our friends stay with us and we never spend the night in town.

[maidu]

Boomerang Rock Climbing and Adventure Park. 3 km nw of downtown.

google it. Open by appointment during wet season.

[scorpio1945]

I was going to say that your post was so general as to be impossible to answer. VF gave an excellent attempt.

[Will27]

David

Here's a hotel in the middle of town which is excellent value.

It has spacious rooms and a restaurant attached.

Just around the corner from the Night Bazaar.

If you get a chance, check it out.

It is,or was 650 Baht per night.

http://www.diamondparkinn.com/hotel/index.html

Regards

Will

[DonaldBattles]

You might contact Tony at (Google) Homestay Chiang Rai. He has some lovely places just outside of town and not so expensive.

For car rental there are some available at the airport. The big hotels all have cars and English speaking drivers for day trips.

Lots of good places to visit in Chiang Rai such as doi Tung, Doi Masalong, Chiang Sean and others.

For eating, you can't beat the food at Don's Cafe in Doi Hang about 6 km west of town on the south side of the river and not far from the Prison. American, English, German, Italian and Thai foods. The dinning sala sits between 2 fishing lakes in the foot hills with a beautiful view. You can try your luck at fishing. Don's has a bakery and butchery.

Don can be reached at 081 894 6401 or Google www.donsfoods.com.

[villagefarang]

One of your more tastefully done bits of advertising. A softer sell with other helpful information thrown in makes a better impression IMHO.

[David48]

David

Here's a hotel in the middle of town which is excellent value.

It has spacious rooms and a restaurant attached.

Just around the corner from the Night Bazaar.

If you get a chance, check it out.

It is,or was 650 Baht per night.

http://www.diamondpa...otel/index.html

Regards

Will

Thanks Will for replying ... I didn't know you were near these parts.

Will add that to the list ...

[David48]

Thanks VF ... I'm not worried at all.

Hopefully, when the dust settles, a few more replies might wander in ...

After all, we all have opinions which like to listened to.

But it's always better to talk then shout .. I listen longer ...

.

[craigt3365]

First, some great pics VF! I remember a few, but it's been too many years since I've been in CR.

Second, David: if you have time, I did enjoy the ride from Tha Ton to CR by river. Great fun if you have the time.

Third...quite a few off topic and bickering posts have been removed from view. If you can't add anything of value, please don't!

[MsClueless]

I am also look for some idea for chiang Mai to chiang Rai

I have done when I was younger (kid, with family), so don't remember what route we take.

Now, I want to go by car from CM to CR. spend few days in CR, and want to see few places.

Please guide me which place make sense to go first, and which after . I don't want to go back, come back in Circle. I just want keep going forward, and then return in loop.

So route please?

From CM to CR, should I stop somewhere?

Places I want to go are:

Mae salong

Mad sai, and Burma border (this one I want to do last, end of trip, and then back to CR city for flight)

Maybe ride elephant, and some river cruising

Golden triangle

Maybe boat into small market in Laos at golden triangle?

Other places that you can suggest?

After trip, I have flight from CR. so can stay outside CR, or in CR city, depend which you recommend is easier. Please recommend best route where I can see above places, and end last day in Maesai.

Thank you every body

[onthedarkside]

If you are going up to Mae Sai you for sure take the time to drive up the mountain to Doi Tung and visit the gardens and Royal Villa. Well worth the time to visit.

http://www.doitung.org/tourism_attraction_royal_villa.php

[krobert6]

From CM to CR, should I stop somewhere?

Places I want to go are:

Mae salong

Mad sai, and Burma border (this one I want to do last, end of trip, and then back to CR city for flight)

Maybe ride elephant, and some river cruising

Golden triangle

Maybe boat into small market in Laos at golden triangle?

Other places that you can suggest?

The white temple is worth a look,

Yonok Lake is beautiful

The small boat to Laos is very disappointing - even for my Thai wife who always wanted to go to Laos

Golden Triangle - only for a couple of shots

The Mae Sai border crossing is only good for the passport stamp

Doi Tung is a must

[MsClueless]

Can you help with the route?

From CM to, stop where, next point where. Good place to spend two nights?

I want to go maesai, and cross to Burma. I remember one small market on Burma side. Some nice cheap stones for jewelry

My geography not good, so I need help with the route, which direction to start and head back

Thank you very much

[krobert6]

check out https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=mae+sai&daddr=chiang+mai

[MsClueless]

Thank you for show me that tool. It is very good, krobert

I can now use for ideas

I also got some idea from another topic. Anyone know nice but not too expensive hotel in Mae Salong on the hill?

And maybe also in chiang saen town. It look nice by river

Thank you

[jazzed]

gorgeous pics VF

[lannarose]

Great pics, VF.

May I know where/when is the Chiang Rai night market? Any suggestions on what to do IN the city on an overnight trip?

[krobert6]

Great pics, VF.

May I know where/when is the Chiang Rai night market? Any suggestions on what to do IN the city on an overnight trip?

Every Night - starts around 6 - some entertainment in 2 seperate locations

[David48]

Thanks to everyone who commented and to those who made this tread their own by asking more questions.

Since I originally wrote this the plan has changed a little.

Sister is staying in the home country ... but bringing my gf's parents along for the ride ... and that changes the dynamics completely ...

We have booked the Kong Garden View Resort as it offered the best compromise and we will hire a car,

so the somewhat remote location is not a negative.

Will do a hotel report after we have stayed there ... arriving next week.

EDIT ... added photo

.

[villagefarang]

So how did the trip go David48? Hope you had a good time. I for one would love to read a trip report.