10 Awesome Things to Do in Chiang Rai – Thailand's hidden gem

The most historic temple in the city, Wat Phra Kaew was once the home of the famous Emerald Buddha, which is now housed in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. According to Thai legends, the Emerald Buddha was hidden inside a shrine and was only discovered after the shrine was cracked open by a bolt of lightning. Although the revered statue is no longer here, visitors can view a replica inside the temple.

The city is only a short drive away from the country's most northern point which borders Myanmar. There's a bridge joining the two countries and visitors can watch people crossing into Myanmar from a viewpoint. There are also several restaurants and shops that sell jewellery and trinkets made (according to the sellers) from Myanmar jade.

Also known as Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple is a major tourist attraction in the city. A sparkling white temple, it was created by a renowned Thai artist to feature a mix of contemporary and traditional designs. Along with the temple, there are several buildings and quirky statues located around the premises, with more buildings under construction. The best time to visit is early morning to avoid crowds, so if you're staying overnight at one of the nearby hotels like Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, for instance, a Chiang Rai resort, make the temple your first stop in your lists of things to do.

The mountains surrounding Chiang Rai are home to numerous hill tribes. The people are mostly nomadic tribes that are not native to Thailand and include the Karen hilltop tribe, famed for their long necks. Before you visit the tribe villages, check all details carefully to make sure it's an ethical visit. Many experiences that are advertised are simply cheap tours used to exploit the villages.

The region is home to several hot springs set amid beautiful surroundings. Take a relaxing dip at Pong Phra Soet Hot Spring or Huay Mak Lium Hot Spring – entry costs differ depending on the spring.

Compared to the night markets in Bangkok, Chiang Rai's market isn't that big, but you can still find a large variety of food vendors serving delicious northern specialities like Khao Soi, a curried noodle dish. The night market has to be the quietest markets in Thailand, perfect for strolling around and stocking up on trinkets.

Go for a walk 30 metres above ground at Tree Top Adventure Park in Mae Fah Luang Garden. Visitors can expect to find thrilling experiences like rope bridges, swings and giant zip lines. Located near the Myanmar border, its best coupled with other attractions nearby.

Chiang Rai is most famous in Thailand for its scenic mountain trails that lead through forests and paddy fields overlooked by the stunning waterfalls of the Lum Nam Kok National Park. Most treks will take you a couple of days to finish and will usually involve a homestay at a hilltop village.

A lesser known temple in the city, Wat Rong Seua Ten as its otherwise known, was only completed back in 2006 and thus hasn't seen a lot of visitors yet. The temple is quite beautiful and as unique as the white temple. There's currently no entrance fee but that may change soon as more people stumble across it.

The temple is protected by a large, dramatic staircase created in the image of a seven head Naga (a mythical snake) and is filled with wild monkeys. They are extremely bold and have been known to jump on tourists and snatch personal items, so be careful if you choose to visit.