Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai travel guide, visit the three most popular temples: the White Temple, the Black Temple, and the Blue Temple!
Preface
In 2015, a series of Hanfu photoshoots sparked a heated online debate, with Chiang Rai's White Temple at the center of the controversy. Soon, this artistically rich temple came into the spotlight. Gradually, while respecting Thai customs, we added several more must-sees to our Thailand travel bucket list: Chiang Rai's White Temple, Black Temple, and Blue Temple. People often say a visit here is like a journey through heaven and hell, a journey to understand the cycle of life. Others simply enjoy the artistic expression of these three temples. This guide will help you thoroughly explore all three. And I'll also reveal the fascinating and hidden gems of Chiang Rai, the region home to these three temples.
Chiang Rai Transportation Guide
Chiang Rai, Thailand's northernmost province, boasts nearly every charm of northern Thailand. Its mountainous eastern tip offers excellent forest hiking, while the Mekong River floodplains in the northeastern lowlands offer a striking contrast to the scenery of the Isan region in the south. With a population of 70,000, Chiang Rai boasts a diverse character and countless captivating natural landscapes. The province's mountains, hot springs, and temples attract countless visitors.
Where is Chiang Rai?
Words are not enough, so I distortedly drew the boundaries of Chiang Rai Province and today's protagonist, the three major temples. Chiang Rai is located north of Chiang Mai, about 190 kilometers from the small city of Chiang Mai, and the one-way driving time is about 2.5 hours. The excellent geographical location and high-quality tourism resources have brought endless wealth to Chiang Rai's tourism industry.
Tips:
It should be noted that the yellow line in the picture is the road from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Because it is located in the mountains and the mountain roads are winding, you need to bring some items to prevent motion sickness. The local herbal ointment is a good refreshing product.
How to get to Chiang Rai
Recommended method
The safest and most cost-effective option to go to Chiang Rai is to join a locally organized one-day tour from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. This type of travel is most suitable for ordinary tourists. The itinerary includes journeys, meals, and attractions. It is the most common way to travel in Chiang Mai.
Reference
With the rise of tourism, chartered car services and public transportation have gradually expanded between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. To reach Chiang Rai, you can first take a tuk-tuk or songthaew from Chiang Mai Old Town to Arcade Bus Station, located northeast of the Old Town. (One of Chiang Mai's three long-distance bus stations, it's about 3 kilometers northeast of the Old Town, near the intersection of Highway 118 and not far from the Night Market.) Round-trip buses run hourly between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, with ticket prices ranging from 140 to 280 baht depending on the fare.
Tips:
Arcade buses station
Chiang Mai Akha Bus Station Tel: (053) 244 664
Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station is located at the eastern end of Kaew Nawarat Road, approximately 3 km northeast of the Old Town, near the intersection of Highway 118. (The famous Chiang Mai NCA is located at Arcade Station.)
All vehicles bound for Bangkok and most long-distance cities, such as Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, etc., must arrive at this station.
Direct from Chiang Rai (not recommended)
Flying to Chiang Rai is also a viable option. Chiang Rai International Airport is located approximately 8 kilometers north of Chiang Rai. A taxi from the airport to the city costs approximately 200 baht.
Tips:
Currently, there is only a direct flight from Kunming to Chiang Rai International Airport. The rest of the domestic routes mostly require a transfer in Bangkok. Compared with direct flights to Chiang Mai, these flights are both time-consuming and relatively expensive.
Chiang Rai Special Temples
White Temple Travel Guide
The White Temple is one of Chiang Rai's most popular and unique attractions. Originally known as Wat Rong Khun, it's often called the "White Temple" due to its snow-white exterior. Unlike most temples in Thailand, or rather, not strictly traditional, the White Temple was built by renowned Thai architects and artists. The entire structure is composed of white architecture and glass sequins. The main route is as shown below. After purchasing a ticket at the entrance, you'll receive a plastic bag to wear shoes into the main hall. After crossing a small bridge and a pond, and passing a statue symbolizing desire, you enter the temple. Artists have added numerous motifs symbolizing the cycle of life and death. The temple also boasts unique architecture, pure gold washrooms, a wishing fountain, and artwork resembling Elvis Presley and Superman, highlighting its unique character.
Tour route:
Tips:
Scenic Area Phone: +66-53-673579
Reference time: 1-3 hours
Ticket price: 50 baht
Opening hours: 09:00-18:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Getting there: You can get there by bus from Chiang Rai's central bus station, which costs about 20-40 baht per person. You can also rent a songthaew directly from Chiang Rai Airport, which costs about 200-300 baht per car. You can also charter a car from Chiang Mai. For more information, please consult a local travel agency or hotel front desk.
Black Temple Travel Guide
The uniquely creative Black Temple's buildings were built by national Thai artists, and are decorated with animal skins and bones. In the center of the Black Temple lies a black cavernous structure resembling a temple, housing a long wooden dining table and chairs made of deer antlers. While the architectural style is primarily influenced by Northern Thai art, the surreal exhibits offer a unique opportunity for exploration. Scattered around the Black Temple are more than a dozen buildings adorned with ox horns. All the buildings and exhibits are dominated by black, creating a stark contrast to the White Temple and evoking the stark contrast between heaven and hell.
(Picture source: Internet)
Tour route
Tips:
Scenic Area Phone: +66-53-705834
Scenic spot website: http://www.thawan-duchanee.com/index-eng.htm
Reference time: 1-3 hours
Getting there: Take a bus from Chiang Rai Central Bus Station. The buses are quite old and cost about 20-40 baht per person. You can also charter a bus from Chiang Mai. Please consult a local travel agency or hotel front desk for details.
Opening hours: 09:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Blue Temple Travel Guide
Chiang Rai's Blue Temple was built by an emerging Thai artist. Its primary colors are blue and gold, and its construction was funded by donations from local residents. The darker exterior features traditional Thai monsters, creating a bizarre and whimsical effect. Crystal balls adorning the surroundings create a solemn and tranquil atmosphere. A snow-white seated Buddha sits within the main hall, while the lighter blue interior complements the murals, emphasizing the vastness of Buddhist compassion.
(Picture source: Internet)
Tour route
Tips:
Scenic Area Phone: +66-82-026-903
Ticket price: Free
Other attractions in Chiang Rai
Pointing to Tianshan Mountain
The Finger Tien Shan National Forest Park is named after its resemblance to a finger pointing to the eastern sky. It is located 108 kilometers east of Chiang Rai City, at an altitude of about 1,628 meters. Although it has not been explored by many tourists, it is famous for its alpine meadows and vast sea of clouds. When we were still waiting for the sunrise on the top of the mountain, the clouds moved with the sound of the wind. Here we enjoyed the quiet time alone and looked out at our neighboring country Laos. It seemed as if time had stopped and lingered here.
(Picture source: Internet)
Long-necked Village
The Padaung, a subgroup of Chiang Rai's Karen ethnic minority, are known as the Long Necks. They consider a long neck a beautiful feature. Children, starting at age five or six, wear a copper ring around their necks, adding one ring each year to lengthen their necks. The longest necks can reach 70 centimeters. When bathing, the Long Necks use straw to rub the rings, using a sawing motion. This is one of the world's most unique customs.
(Picture source: Internet)
Cuifeng Tea Garden
The most pleasant place to sit in Cuifeng Tea Garden is the restaurant "CHOUIFONG TEA CAFÉ" which is located at the highest point of the tea hill. It is designed by a Thai architect. Here you can enjoy authentic tea and snacks while gazing at the endless green leaves of Cangshan Mountain, which is like our terraced fields. The green leaves of Cangshan Mountain are like steps winding down, which is very beautiful. The air is also filled with the fragrance of tea, and you can watch the light from Muye.
(Picture source: Internet)
Recommended accommodation in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai offers a wide range of accommodation options. Most budget hotels are located in the city center around Th Jetyod. Most mid-range hotels are centrally located in Chiang Mai, while the highest-end accommodations are generally located outside the city center. This article recommends the best hotels in each of these areas, offering a variety of travel options.
City Hotel: Nak Nakara Hotel
Just a 10-minute drive from Chiang Rai's artistic White Temple, this hotel boasts a prime location. It features brightly colored modern Lanna-style suites, an outdoor pool, and massage services. The 24-hour front desk staff can assist with car rentals and laundry services. Free private parking is available, and a shuttle service can be arranged upon request for a fee.
(Picture source: Internet)
Tips:
Hotel Location: 661 Uttarakit Road, Muang, 57000 Chiang Rai, Thailand
Room Type:
Popular hotel amenities:
Closest to the city: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, Thailand
The hotel boasts a two-tiered outdoor pool overlooking the majestic Mae Kok River. It's approximately 3 kilometers from Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. The hotel offers casual dining at the restaurant and essential oil massages. The extraordinary sunset views are a must-see. The rooms are spacious, with a palette of gray, white, and black. In addition to the amenities expected of a high-end hotel, there are two restaurants and a large swimming pool.
(Picture source: Internet)
Tips:
Hotel Location: 221/2 Moo 20 Kwaewai Road, Tamboon Robwieng, Amphur Muang, 57000 Chiang Rai, Thailand
Room Type:
Popular hotel amenities:
High-end hotel: A-Star Phulare Valley, Chiang Rai
This high-value resort hotel consistently ranks among the best in its category and is a highly recommended hotel in Chiang Rai. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are provided. Located approximately 20 km from downtown Chiang Mai, the hotel offers a garden, air conditioning, a flat-screen cable TV, an electric kettle, a minibar, and a refrigerator. Private bathrooms include a shower and free toiletries. Ping Doi, the hotel's on-site restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The outdoor pool and mountain views are also a major draw.
(Picture source: Internet)
Tips:
Hotel Location: 60/14 Moo 2, Ta-Sud, Muang,, 57100 Chiang Rai, Thailand
Room Type:
Popular hotel amenities:
Chiang Rai Food Recommendations
Chiang Rai cuisine is more of a Northern Thai cuisine. The seasonality and cool climate of this region have shaped the locals' preference for pork, vegetarian food, and fried foods. Locals are accustomed to eating sticky rice, and even classic Thai dishes have different variations.
Mango Sticky Rice
Mango sticky rice is a Thai specialty dessert snack. The whole mango is cut into pieces and placed on a plate. The sticky rice is made from local glutinous rice and fried with coconut milk. It is then combined with mung bean crispy rice to produce a wonderful chemical reaction. It has always been the first choice for standard Thai meals.
Thai pineapple fried rice
Pineapple fried rice is also a highlight of Thai cuisine. Pineapple fried rice, which perfectly combines fruit and staple food, has both the freshness of pineapple and the unique smoky flavor of fried rice.
(Picture source: Internet)
Curry Pork Noodles
All kinds of curry in Thailand are made with local spices. The aroma and taste of curry have a strong exotic flavor. Combined with fried shredded pork and seasonal shredded pork, this famous northern Thai dish has become famous.
Other cuisine
Gaanghang-lai – deep-fried pork curry
Kow Soy – curry-flavored noodles, the curry soup is light but very delicious
Loo – a mixture of curry sauce and raw blood, poured over crispy noodles and fried sausages, is an authentic northern snack
Lahp – a Thai minced meat salad made with a mixture of bitters and spices
Conclusion
Northern Thailand is more than just Chiang Mai. After you've fully explored it, why not come to Chiang Rai to see more of Northern Thailand? In addition to what's shown in this article, Chiang Rai's markets, art academies, museums, and Wat Phra Kaew reflect the implementation of modern art throughout Chiang Rai. The local area is also a hiking paradise, and most hotels have hill tribe hiking programs. This is definitely a place worth visiting. Why not take a few days out of your trip to Chiang Mai to get a deeper understanding of the customs and scenery of Northern Thailand?
