Chiang Rai Night Market Food Tour: Big Buddha & Temples

Four stops through temples and markets, ending with dinner and live music at the Night Bazaar

A four-hour food and cultural walking tour of Chiang Rai starting with hotel pickup, visiting the Big Buddha temple complex, the Clock Tower with its evening light show, the Blue Temple, and ending at the Night Bazaar for dinner and live music. An English-speaking local guide leads the route through markets and temples, with admission fees and transport included. Food and drinks are available to purchase at the Night Bazaar. Alcoholic beverages are limited to local varieties.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Chiang Rai night markets and temples

• Visit Wat Huayplakang Temple
• See Chiang Rai Clock Tower
• Visit Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple)
• Walk and eat at Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

The experience

The tour begins with pickup from your hotel within 3 km of Chiang Rai city center and a short tuk-tuk ride to Wat Huayplakang Temple, the massive Big Buddha complex about 5 miles north of the city. The scale of the temple (a 9-floor pagoda, white temple buildings and the enormous Buddha statue) sets the tone for the evening. From there you move to the Clock Tower, Chiang Rai's most distinctive landmark with its golden structure and nightly light projection shows at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. The laser display syncs with live music, and this is where you'll taste mango and durian sticky rice while the show unfolds.

The third stop is Wat Rong Seur Ten, the Blue Temple, known for its striking blue interior and large white Buddha. The paintings echo the style of the famous White Temple nearby. After the temples, the guide takes you into the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar: a sprawling market with around 40 to 50 food stalls, a beer garden, outdoor stages for cultural performances, and shops selling hill-tribe crafts, silver jewelry and textiles. This is where the food experience deepens: your guide helps you navigate the food court and select from a wide range of ready-to-eat meals and local snacks. Pad Thai and Thai shaved ice are the standout dishes, though the selection runs deep enough that choosing becomes the real challenge.

The evening wraps with dinner at the Night Bazaar's seating area, accompanied by live music and cultural performances on the outdoor stages. The whole experience runs four hours from pickup to drop-off. An air-conditioned vehicle and professional English-speaking guide are included, along with all admission fees. Beers are available to purchase and limited to local varieties. Food and drinks beyond what your guide helps you select are on your own tab.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking local guide.
• admission to all four temples and attractions.
• roundtrip hotel transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle from within 3 km of Chiang Rai city center.
• access to the Night Bazaar food court and cultural performances with live music.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (8 to 65 years) · Child (2 to 7 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sightseeing Phuket

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guided evening combining temple stops with night market food sampling and live music dinner, rather than exploring markets on your own.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 7 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Big Buddha temple like compared to other temples in Chiang Rai?

Wat Huayplakang Temple is massive in scale. It contains a 9-floor pagoda, white temple buildings and an enormous Big Buddha statue. It sits about 5 miles north of Chiang Rai city center and is one of the province's most striking temple complexes.

When does the Clock Tower light show happen, and what is it like?

The Clock Tower's light projection show runs at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm each evening. A glorious array of laser lights syncs with live music and plays against the background of whizzing motorbikes, speeding tuk-tuks and cars. A unique sensory experience that is part of the tour.

What kind of food will I taste at the Night Bazaar?

The Night Bazaar has around 40 to 50 food stalls offering ready-to-eat meals and local snacks. Pad Thai and Thai shaved ice are the must-try dishes. Your guide helps you select from a wide range of options at the food court, and the selection is extensive enough that choosing becomes the real challenge.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, roundtrip transfer from your hotel is included if you are within a 3 km radius of Chiang Rai city center. An air-conditioned vehicle takes you to each stop and back to your hotel at the end of the evening.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide is a professional English speaker who leads the entire tour and helps you navigate the markets and select food at the Night Bazaar.