3 must-see waterfalls near Chiang Rai, Thailand

3 must-see waterfalls near Chiang Rai, Thailand

For many backpackers and travelers in northern Thailand, a stopover in Chiang Rai is often just a quick stopover, either just a stopover to Chiang Mai or to see the famous White Temple. My goal is to convince you to skip the typical one-day city trip and truly explore this epic northern gem. A great place to start is by checking out these 3 epic waterfalls near Chaing Rai!

What many people don't know about Chiang Rai is that it is a hotspot for jungle trekking and other epic outdoor adventures. In fact, Chiang Rai has some of the best waterfalls in Thailand. You might be as surprised as I was to find a massive 70m-deep waterfall at the end of epic jungle hiking trails, just a stone's throw from town.

Map of waterfalls near Chiang Rai

To help you find the waterfalls near Chiang Rai listed in this blog, I have pinned a map with their exact locations. It is possible to tackle most of these waterfalls in a single day trip. However, as you can see, they are a bit spaced apart. I would suggest splitting it up into at least two days.

For detailed waterfall guides, I have also written separate articles for all these waterfalls in Chiang Rai. You can find the links to these under each heading.

Would you like to join a hill tribe trekking tour in Chiang Rai? Consider this 2-day, 1-day trekking and jungle stay for under $90 including all meals.

1. Mae Sai Waterfall

Well, let's get into it. Here is the first of these three epic waterfalls near Chiang Rai; Mae Sai waterfall.

Located at the end of a picturesque road lined with tea plantations and rice fields, Mae Sai Waterfall is home to not one, but two waterfalls with swimming holes and even a treacherous waterfall cliff jump!

The drive here from Chiang Rai takes about 35 minutes by motorbike, and you'll likely have this entire two-tiered waterfall to yourself!

For exact details on how to get here and what to expect, read the full waterfall guide here.
alt=“MAE SAI WATERFALL CLIFF JUMP IN CHIANG RAI, THAILAND, WATERFALLS NEAR CHIANG RAI”>Waterfall Cliff Jump at Mae Sai Waterfall – Be careful and check the conditions first.
alt=“mae sai waterfall level two”>Second level of the Mae Sai waterfall

2. Huay Kaew Waterfall

If you want to visit two waterfalls near Chiang Rai in one day, it is good to add Huay Kaew Waterfall to your itinerary for a full day trip.

This is much less well known than Chiang Rai's other waterfalls and has only recently been opened to tourism. Similar to Mae Sai Waterfall, this one is relatively quiet all year round. The only people we met during our high season visit was a group stopping here at the end of a two-day trekking and hill tribe trip.

Similar to Mae Sai, Huay Kaew has two primary levels. However, you won't find a cascading waterfall here, rather a larger, cascading river on both levels. You can relax and cool off by swimming at both locations, where a shallow freshwater pool awaits you at the base of both waterfalls. There are also a few geothermal hot springs in the area, which is a worthwhile addition to your waterfall day trip.

The hike to Huay Kaew Waterfall takes approximately 5 minutes for the lower level and 10 minutes to reach the top level. Just follow the path and you won't miss it!

Again, for all the details, read the full guide here.
alt=“FIRST LEVEL OF HUAY KAEW WATERFALL IN CHIANG RAI”>

Don’t miss: Phu Chi Fa Viewpoint – Incredible sunrise point on the border with Laos!

3. Khun Korn Waterfall

Some say it's better to save the best for last! Visiting Khun Korn Waterfall was the highlight of my trip to Chiang Rai and actually my favorite waterfall in Northern Thailand! I'll let the photos do the talking, but this one is a truly impressive waterfall, cascading over 70 meters into a beautiful jungle amphitheater oasis.

The short but rewarding 3 kilometer round trip hike to this waterfall from Chiang Rai through banana fields and bamboo forests is also pretty magical in and of itself.

In my opinion, if you were to visit just one waterfall near Chiang Rai, make it Khun Korn Waterfall!

Read full details and instructions here.
alt=“KHUN KORN WATERFALL CHIANG MAI”>

Best time to visit waterfalls near Chiang Rai

It's no secret that Chiang Rai can get very hot! However, if you come at the right time of year, you will find refreshing weather and flowing waterfalls.

The best time to visit Chiang Rai Waterfalls is between October and February. This time of year is known as the cool season, with clear skies, occasional evening showers and much more bearable temperatures.

Even though it's considered a cool season, you can still expect temperatures in the low 30s!

August and September are considered the wettest months in northern Thailand. So if you visit the waterfalls near Chiang Rai during this time, be careful of torrents!

How to get to Chiang Rai

The easiest way to get to Chiang Rai is by bus. If you are coming from Chiang Mai, you need to go to Arcade Bus Station. Getting there shouldn't cost more than 50 baht for a local songthaew.

The entire trip takes about four hours, which is fairly comfortable and usually includes one or two short stops.

There are several buses that run daily, but the buses are fully booked during busier times. The cheapest and best buses are Green Buses. I would suggest comparing prices and booking in advance with 12 Go Asia.

Getting around Chiang Rai

Before you head out on your waterfall hunts, you may be wondering, “How do I get there?” As I briefly mentioned above, the best way to get to all these waterfalls in Chiang Rai is to rent a motorbike and drive here yourself.

While you can take organized tours and pay private drivers, here are a few reasons why I think you should do it independently;

• Die Bergstraßen von Chiang Rai sind wunderschön und werden ernsthaft unterschätzt
• Sie haben mehr Zeit, sich selbst zu erkunden, ohne sich gehetzt zu fühlen
• Chiang Rai ist viel weniger beschäftigt als Chiang Mai; Diese Straßen sind großartig, um Ihr Selbstvertrauen auf thailändischen Straßen aufzubauen
• Selbst ein Motorrad zu mieten ist oft viel günstiger als für eine Tour oder einen Fahrer zu bezahlen!

If you are looking for a motorbike to rent, I would suggest either staying at Grace Hostel or contacting the owner. She is super friendly and offers great, competitive prices for motorbike rentals in Chiang Rai.

Expect to pay around 150-250 baht per day depending on the season and type of bike.
alt="PAI RICE FIELDS DRIVING FROM PAI TO CHIANG MAI">

Where to stay in Chiang Rai

My accommodation in Chiang Mai: Grace Hostel Grace Hostel was actually one of my favorite hostels in Northern Thailand. The free breakfast is great. Although it's just outside the city center, the friendly owner can drive you to the markets or the bus station for free.

Highly-Rated Guesthouse: SuanTung Guest House This is one of the top-rated budget guesthouses in Chiang Rai. It's super central, just a few minutes walk from the night market and the clock tower and the bus stop.

Cheapest Dorm in Chiang Rai: Bar 184 Party HostelBar 184 has dorms for under $5 per night, which is the cheapest you'll find in Chiang Rai. If you're looking for a party atmosphere at a reasonable price, this is the place for you. These guys also organize motorbikes if you want to take one to all the epic waterfalls.

Did you find this guide to the best waterfalls near Chiang Rai useful? If you have any questions about the trip, don't hesitate to leave a comment or email me personally! For now, why not check out a few more Northern Thailand travel guides below?

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