If you’re in Northern Thailand, you have to check out Chiang Rai. It’s just a three-hour bus ride from Chiang Mai and home to some of the most jaw-dropping temples you’ll ever see. While you can do it as a day trip, we highly recommend staying at least one night if you can swing it. That way, you’re not rushing around like a headless chicken for a very long day and can actually soak in the vibes of each temple.
We spent over a month in Thailand, so check out some of our other blogs about Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Chiang Mai and Bangkok!
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Japan, Indonesia, or the Philippines!
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TLDR 🫣
Chiang Rai is a hidden gem packed with stunning, intricate temples, quirky art, and amazing (and cheap!) food. It’s an easy trip from Chiang Mai and totally worth at least a day—though staying overnight is even better.
Itinerary
1. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) – Go first thing in the morning!
2. Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) – A stunning and peaceful contrast.
3. Baan Dam Museum (Black House) – A dark and intriguing art museum.
4. Dinner & Dessert at Central Chiang Rai Mall – Stock up on essentials and cheap eats.
Pro Tips:
- If you have the time, take the Green Bus from Chiang Mai a day before to make the most of your visit. Stay at least one night.
- Use Grab to get around—it’s the easiest way to avoid an accidental marathon.
- Start at the White Temple early to beat the crowds and the heat.
- Bring small cash for temple fees, smoothies, and souvenirs.
- If you’re hungry after the Blue Temple, grab some cheap and delicious food at Bike Coffee right across the street
Top Awards:
- Best Experience: White Temple – It’s like stepping into a dream.
- Best Eats: Bike Coffee. Located right across the street from the Blue temple, it's the perfect place for a mid-day reset after exploring the temples in the Thai heat.
- Best "Bang for Your Buck" Hotel: Grand Vista Hotel 185 - conveniently located right across Central Chiang Rai mall. Comfortable stay, incredible breakfast, and great service.
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
HOW TO GET TO CHIANG RAI
We took the Green Bus from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 to Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 the day prior (it took about 3 hours). So, we were actually in Chiang Mai for 1.5 days but didn’t do too much other than eat and explore our neighbourhood during that half day. The ride was smooth, the seats were comfy (especially if you get a VIP ticket), and it was a stress-free way to get there. If buses aren’t your thing, you can also rent a car or hire a private driver.
HOW TO GET AROUND CHIANG RAI
Unlike Chiang Mai, where everything is kinda clustered together, Chiang Rai’s main attractions are all over the place. Walking isn’t really an option unless you want an accidental marathon. Here’s how to get around:
Bicycles: Great for short distances but probably not ideal for temple-hopping.
Grab: The easiest and most convenient way! Just call a ride on the app, and you’re good to go.
Taxis & Tuk-Tuks: These are around, but prices can be hit-or-miss, so always negotiate.
Motorbike Rental: If you’re comfortable on two wheels, this is a great way to zip around.
Songthaews (Shared Red Trucks): Cheap but not always the most convenient.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re staying overnight (which you totally should), we recommend Grand Vista Hotel 185. It’s a bit of a splurge, but wow—the breakfast alone is worth it. They had both a thai and western buffet selection. We redeemed ~$100 CAD worth of points to offset the total bill, but it would have costed about $170 CAD for two nights. Plus, the staff is amazing, and the rooms are super comfy. It’s also close to the Central Chiang Rai mall if you want to grab essentials or even a late night snack (that’s what we did upon arrival). A perfect place to crash after a long day of exploring.
ITINERARY
1. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) – Go First Thing in the Morning!
Start your day bright and early and head straight to Wat Rong Khun, aka the White Temple. Entry for two of us cost ฿200.00.
This place looks like something out of a dream—shiny, intricate, and totally surreal.
Designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, it’s one of the most famous landmarks in Thailand.
But it’s not just pretty—it’s packed with symbolism. The bridge leading to the temple represents the cycle of rebirth, with outstretched hands below symbolizing desire and suffering.
Inside, you’ll find unexpected murals featuring everything from pop culture icons to tragic historical events. It’s a mix of spiritual, artistic, and slightly bizarre—but in the best way possible! Get there early to beat the crowds (and the heat)!
Beyond the beautiful white temple, there’s another part of the premise with a golden temple. It’s free to explore!
You could also check out the hidden cave beside the golden temple. Entry to see the Cave Art cost us ฿100.00 total.
It’s honestly a little creepy and if you’re on a budget or afraid of the dark, you could skip this. Otherwise, be prepared to see a bunch of heads inside.
The White temple was nothing like the ones we saw in Bangkok or in the Southern islands. They’re so much more intricate and the symbolism is almost eerie. Good thing I found a place to sit and take in the beauty.
2. Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
Next up is Wat Rong Suea Ten, aka the Blue Temple. This one isn’t as famous as the White Temple, but trust me, it’s just as stunning. Plus, it’s free!
The deep blue and gold color scheme is next-level beautiful, and inside, you’ll find a massive white Buddha that gives the whole place an extra touch of magic.
The name Rong Suea Ten translates to “House of the Dancing Tiger,” as legend has it that tigers used to roam this area.
While it lacks the same dramatic symbolism as the White Temple, the Blue Temple feels more serene and welcoming—perfect for a peaceful moment of reflection (or just taking an absurd amount of photos because it’s that pretty).
If you’re like us, you’re probably hungry for some lunch now. Thankfully, across the blue temple, there are a couple of small restaurants.
We sat down for some Pad Thais and Thai Iced Tea (classics) at Bike Coffee. Exactly what we needed, plus there’s A/C here. This meal only set us back ฿145.00 – that’s less than $6 CAD. Oh, how I miss Thailand so much.
3. Baan Dam Museum (Black House)
Wrap up your Chiang Rai adventure with a visit to Baan Dam Museum, or the Black House (฿160.00 for two people). Some also call it the Black Temple, but the only similarity is has with the other two temples is the oddness and eerie feeling you get here. It’s like the dark, moody sibling of the White Temple—think traditional Thai architecture meets bold-coloured, thought-provoking art.
Created by the late Thawan Duchanee, this collection of over 40 buildings houses bizarre sculptures, skulls, bones, and animal hides. The art here explores the themes of life, death, and human suffering, making it a stark contrast to the White Temple’s themes of enlightenment.
Some parts might feel a little creepy, but it’s all incredibly fascinating and worth seeing in person. Whether you find it beautiful or unsettling (or both), there’s no denying that the Black House is one of the most unique art museums in Thailand.
One of the coolest features here is the interactive artwork. Some paintings have a QR code next to them—when you scan it, an Instagram filter opens up. Aim your camera at the painting, and it literally comes to life on your screen, moving and shifting in real-time. It’s a super cool blend of traditional art and modern technology, making the experience even more immersive. Definitely a cool contrast to everything else you’ve seen during the day.
Not pictured here, but if you walk all the way to the end of the property (it’s LARGE), you can get smoothies from several different carts. We opted for the Dragonfruit smoothie which was only ฿20.00. There are a few vendors selling different trinkets and souvenirs too. Ryan bought green elephant pants for ฿100.00.
Dinner at Central Chiang Rai Mall
After a full day of exploring the White temple, the Blue temple, and the Black house, take a Grab back to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your evening. Lucky for us, Grand Vista Hotel is right across Central Chiang Rai shopping mall!
In the food court, we enjoyed some spicy thai noodles (฿55.00) and khao soi (฿70.00), a classic northern curry dish with egg noodles. My mouth is drooling just looking at these photos!
After dinner, we wandered around the mall and picked up some dessert: a mango smoothie (฿35.00), coconut pancake (฿30.00), and thai ice cream! LEGIT, that icecream was 10/10! We paid by credit card and it came out to $1.80 CAD.
TOTAL COST for 1 Full Day in Chiang Rai (Approximate CAD for 2 people):
Activities (Temple Fees): $17
Accommodations (2 nights, but keep in mind we redeemed $100 CAD worth of points): $70
Food: $43
Transportation (Grabs, Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, Grab to Chiang Rai airport): $48
Souvenirs (clothes): $4
TOTAL: $183 (Roughly $46 per person, per night)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Chiang Rai is so worth the trip. While one day is enough to hit the highlights, staying overnight lets you take things at a more relaxed pace. Whether you’re here for the temples, the art, or just to eat your way through the city, Chiang Rai is guaranteed to leave an impression. Happy exploring!
Feel free to ask us questions in the comments! Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Japan, Indonesia, or the Philippines!
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