Elephant Riding & Trekking

Golfing

In Chiang Rai, sporty and active tourists have ample activities to choose from. Golf is one of them. At present, many golf courses have sprung up. You can check the admission fees and hours of operation with your travel agent.

Mountain Biking

Since Chiang Rai has a scenic mountain landscape and fresh air, it is an excellent place to go mountain biking. Cyclists will enjoy the natural beauty along the trails following the Mekong River including the views of Myanmar and tropical forests. Please contact travel agencies for more details.

Rafting Along the Mae Kok River

This 130-km river is well known as one of the most picturesque and clean rivers in Thailand. Rafting along the waterway is a very relaxing activity because tourists can see hilltribe villages situated along the banks. Lush jungles and mountain cliffs create scenic views and a fresh atmosphere.

It takes 3 days and 2 nights to cover the 80-km distance by raft from Tha Ton of Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai town. River trips to and from Chiang Rai by long-tail boats are also organized regularly. The trip takes about 4-5 hrs.

Trekking

As Chiang Rai has a lot of mountains and hilltribe villages of all major groups, there are many areas good for trekking, e.g. Doi Tung, Doi Mae Salong, Doi Pa Tang and the banks along the Mae Kok River. Many travel agencies and hotels offer trekking packages with experienced guides. Prices, which include guide, meals, transportation and accommodation, normally depend on the number of days and number of participants (the more people, the cheaper price per person). Trekking alone or with unauthorized tour guide is not recommended, even though you have a route map.

See "Trekking in Northern Thailand" for more details.

Elephant Riding & Trekking

Riding on elephant's back is one of the exciting activities you should not miss because you will not only taste the adventurous ride but also have a good opportunity to explore the jungle. For more information please contact your travel agency.

Songkran Festival

Loy Krathong Festival

King Meng Rai Festival (late Jan – early Feb)

This festival, consisting of spectacular parades, cultural performances and competition, is held annually to celebrate the establishment of Chiang Rai and the Lanna Kingdom.

There will also be a large number of stalls selling food and local handicrafts and products.

Songkran Festival The traditional Thai New Year 
(13 - 15 Apr) 

The Thais celebrate this joyous festival throughout the country, including Chiang Rai.

Apart from parade of Buddha image, beauty contests, cultural performances and water splashing, there are also boat races among 4 countries -- Thailand, Laos, China and Myanmar, on the Mekong River in Chiang Saen District.

Lychee Fair (mid May)

Chiang Rai is famous for its tasty lychees. Therefore, this fair is the ideal opportunity to enjoy this fruit. And certainly, you can buy as many as you want at very reasonable prices. The fair also features competitions of agricultural products and cooking, agriculture exhibition, Miss Lychee Orchard Contest. There are stalls selling food, fruits and local products too.

Loi Krathong Festival (Nov)

In this festival, small containers made from banana leaf with lit candles and joss sticks are floated on water as a thanksgiving and worship to the Goddess of Water. Thai people celebrate this festival boisterously and Chiang Rai is a place that holds this festival on a grand scale. There are a beauty contest, cultural performances, folk entertainment and stalls selling food, handicrafts, and many products.

Blooming Mexican Sunflower (November)

Mexican Sunflower fields on the mountain are in full bloom in November. It brings the magnificent picturesque to Doi Hua Mae Kham, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai.

During the festival, there are also cultural performances and folk games of 7 hill tribes living in the area and sales of northern Thai style food (Khantoke).

For more details, please contact TAT Chiang Rai Office, Tel. 0 5371 7433, 5374 4674.