First and foremost, Chiang Rai is the gateway to the rugged jungles of Northern Thailand. The city itself is semi-metropolitan, but you don't have to travel far to escape the city life. Cycling, rafting and jungle trekking are popular pursuits, and local tour companies are constantly coming up with new ways to combine these with visits to authentic hill tribe villages and quintessential landmarks like the Golden Triangle. Elephant rides are another fun way to see the countryside, a novel way of experiencing the outdoors.
Cycling is an excellent way to tour Chiang Rai city, as most of the city's centralised attractions are within close range of one another. The roads through town are relatively flat making cycling easy. Those who crave steep hills and more rugged terrain can head a few miles out of town on organised mountain biking tours. Inquire with local tour operators for details. All of the necessary equipment can be hired in town at rentals shops, hotels and guesthouses.

Rafting on the Mae Kok River with a tour operator is an exciting experience. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the dense and mountainous jungles that characterise this part of the country. The rapids are best during the rainy season, when the rains swell the river and send it tumbling through the mountainous terrain. Bamboo rafting is equally popular and is often included as part of a jungle trek. Typically, tour groups park their rafts at a riverside hill tribe village or semi-remote outpost where lunch and handicraft shopping is available.

Trekking: There are numerous worthwhile treks throughout Chiang Rai province, with trekking being one of the best ways to experience the outlying jungles and mountainsides. Many of these overland excursions visit the Golden Triangle, passing through Karen and Akha hill tribe villages and often incorporating river rafting, elephant riding or both. The length of treks ranges from a few hours to several days, and overnight lodgings along with meals are typically included in the cost. Usually, the travel agency will provide transportation from a centralised beginning point in Chiang Rai to the starting point of the trek.