Chiang Rai Night Market Food Tour: Blue Temple & Local Eats

Taste your way through Chiang Rai's night markets with a local who knows where to eat

This evening food tour of Chiang Rai takes you on foot and by car through four stops: the massive Wat Huayplakang Temple, the Clock Tower's nightly light show, the blue-painted Wat Rong Seur Ten, and the Night Bazaar's sprawling food stalls. A local English-speaking guide leads the group, pointing out dishes and navigating the market's 40–50 food vendors while you sample local snacks, hot pot, pad thai and Thai shaved ice. Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Chiang Rai are included. The tour runs four hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chiang Rai evening food and sightseeing tour

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

The experience

The Clock Tower comes alive at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm with a laser light show that cuts through the evening noise of motorbikes and tuk-tuks, and your guide will steer you toward the mango and durian sticky rice stalls nearby. Before the market, you'll visit Wat Huayplakang, a temple complex five miles north of the city center built around a massive Buddha statue and a nine-story pagoda, then move on to Wat Rong Seur Ten, where the interior walls and ceiling are painted a deep blue that frames a large white Buddha. These are sightseeing stops, but the real focus is the food.

The Night Bazaar is where the evening settles. Your guide will help you navigate the food court and the edge stalls, ordering hot pot mixed to your preference and pointing out the local specialties most visitors miss. The market sells everything from ready-to-eat meals and fresh produce to hill-tribe crafts, but the food section is what matters here: you'll find pad thai, fried insects if you're curious, and the Thai shaved ice dessert that closes the night. A beer garden sits in the middle if you want to grab a local beer on your own. The scale of choice can feel overwhelming, but that's the point. Your guide knows the vendors and the best bites.

Pickup happens from your Chiang Rai hotel within a 3km radius of the city center, and you'll return the same way. The group stays small, and the air-conditioned vehicle moves you between the temple stops and the bazaar without the hassle of finding transport yourself. Four hours is enough to hit all four stops and eat properly without rushing through the market.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking local guide.
• roundtrip hotel pickup and drop-off from central Chiang Rai (within 3km radius).
• air-conditioned vehicle for all stops.
• admission fees to the temples.
• samples of local market foods and desserts at the Night Bazaar.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 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.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunleisure World

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you'll follow the commentary and the food recommendations without translation. This works well for English speakers traveling solo or in a group who want someone local to navigate the market's overwhelming choice and explain what you're eating.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What is the Blue Temple like, and how long do we spend there?

Wat Rong Seur Ten, known as the Blue Temple, has a striking blue interior with paintings in the style of the White Temple. It's one of four stops on the tour, and your guide will walk you through it before moving on to the Night Bazaar.

How does the Clock Tower light show work, and when does it happen?

The Clock Tower's laser light show runs at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm each evening, with accompanying sound effects. Your guide times the visit so you catch one of the shows and can try the mango and durian sticky rice from nearby stalls.

Will I have time to eat at the Night Bazaar, or is it just a quick walk-through?

The Night Bazaar is the centerpiece of the tour, not a quick stop. Your guide will help you order from the food court and explore the 40–50 stalls around the edges, so you'll have time to eat multiple dishes and sample local specialties.

Is alcohol included, or do I need to bring money for drinks?

Beers and other drinks are available to purchase at the Night Bazaar's beer garden. The tour does not include alcoholic beverages, so bring cash or be ready to pay separately.

Does the tour include Wat Huayplakang, and how far is it from the city?

Yes, Wat Huayplakang is the first stop on the tour. The temple complex sits about five miles north of Chiang Rai's city center and includes a massive Buddha statue, a nine-story pagoda and a white temple building.