My husband and I were to Thailand to chill out and explore, all in one. As I had this huge thing for road trips, we use this as the perfect chance to optimize our traveling experience in Chiang Rai and to make my wish come true. Today I am here to share with you my own experience giving you tips and info to make the most of it. Let’s get started!
Choosing the perfect starting point
Chiang Rai is a strategic location as it is well-connected to all the other famous Thai cities and not so distant. We started our trip from the more famous Chiang Mai, and then, after two days exploring the city’s center, we decided to go for a mini trip to Chiang Rai.
Hiring a car to save money (and time!)
I wanted to explore the most extreme and not touristic side of Thailand, so I was entirely into hiring a car and living the trip independently. I used Holiday Autos to compare services and options, and I could customize everything! It gave me the chance to even save a lot of money and time in an easy and convenient way. I will use it again!
Marveling at the astonishing temples
Once we arrived at the city, we started exploring all the fantastic temples you can find mainly at every corner! The ones I loved the most? The Blue Temple, Wat Rong Seua Ten, and The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun.
Taking a look around the city center
Chaing Rai is a city to explore in every single corner. It is full of surprises and offers several chances to have a glimpse of the old history, the local culture, and most of all, how it deals with modernity and progress. Open your eyes and you will open your mind too!
Strolling at the local markets
In Chiang Rai, there are so many places and options to shop and buy something typical and local. I had the best shopping sessions at the Night Bazaar and the Night Market. This was a great experience to fully immerse myself in the local culture and meet new people. Another big plus? At night the city is even more beautiful!
Road-tripping to Hill Tribes
We had some extra time so we decided to road trip to Hill Tribes. This place was mind-blowing as it is primarily a traditional tribal village so distant from all the modern touristic attractions you find all over Thailand. We visited the museum too and it was terrific. Highly recommended!
Exploring the natural side of the region
This was the best part of our road trip. We went to Nam Tok Khun Kon Forest Park to marvel at the waterfalls and to have some outdoor hiking experience. It was beautiful to marvel at the local flora and fauna and it was the perfect chance to escape the city’s buzz and reconnect!
These are my best tips and the main info you need to create your own itinerary and live your Thai road trip experience in an exciting, fulfilling, and convenient way! Keep the inspiration coming with this other post on the best ways to travel to Thailand without leaving home.