Chiang Rai is an underrated gem in Northern Thailand. We fell in love with its stunning and unique temples, not to mention the lively night bazaar! It has risen in popularity thanks to Instagram showcasing the famous ‘White Temple’ and ‘Blue Temple’, which truly are sights to behold. If you’re looking for the ultimate day trip to Chiang Rai, you’ll discover the best things to do here.
Start your day by exploring Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, is definitely our top pick among all the temples we’ve visited. And yes, we already visited countless temples before. Wat Rong Khun is truly unique and easily recognizable with its white color and silver details that sparkle in the sun. We’ve seen many photos and videos of it, but in person, it’s a thousand times more stunning and impressive. We really had to catch our breath the first few minutes we saw it with our own eyes!
The intricate details are truly magical, and we could spend hours admiring this temple without ever getting bored. The moment you walk over that bridge with the temple right in front of you… pure happiness! The entrance fee is 100 baht, which is about € 2,50. Trust us when we tell you, this is the best € 2,50 you’ll ever spend! We estimate you’ll spend between 1 and 2 hours here.
Pro tip
Wat Rong Khun is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM, and it’s always busy whenever you go. However, we have a great tip for you: arrive 30 minutes before opening to be the first inside. This is the best way to experience the temple without crowds! Trust us, it’s worth the wait. We were able to take lots of pictures without anyone around and had about 10 minutes before we bumped into other people. Waking up early and being the first to enter was so worth it!
Visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
After exploring Wat Rong Khun, let’s head to Wat Rong Suea Ten, also known as the Blue Temple. It’s just a short 20-minute drive from Wat Rong Khun. As the name suggests, the Blue Temple is known for its completely blue design, even inside! The mix of blue color with golden details is truly breathtaking. The only thing not blue is the large white Buddha statue inside the temple. This is of course the centerpiece of the temple, and around it you can find all sorts of temporary Buddhist art.
Outside, you’ll find many blue statues with intricate designs like dragons and guards at the entrance. There’s also a fountain and pond, but don’t throw coins in the pond as it’s full of fish. The best part? Entry is free! Wat Rong Suea Ten opens an hour earlier than Wat Rong Khun (at 7 AM) but tends to be less crowded, so we recommend visiting it after exploring Wat Rong Khun. Expect to spend around one hour here, especially if you want to take in all the art inside.
Climb to the top of Wat Huay Pla Kang
Next stop: a quick 15-minute drive to Wat Huay Pla Kang. This impressive white statue, often referred to as ‘Big Buddha’, actually represents Guanyin, The Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. The statue is part of a larger Buddhist temple complex situated on a hill. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb all the way to the top for stunning panoramic views!
Admire the Chiang Rai Clock Tower
It’s time to head back to the center of Chiang Rai! Drive for about 15 minutes to reach the Chiang Rai Clock Tower, which is the centerpiece of the city. This stunning golden clock tower, designed by the same artist who created the White Temple, is located in the middle of a roundabout, usually bustling with motorcycles and tuktuks. The most magical time to visit is in the evening when the tower is lit up with colorful lights, making it a truly beautiful sight!
End your day at Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Less than a 10-minute walk from the Chiang Rai Clock Tower is the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, the last stop of your day. It’s the perfect place to end this ultimate day trip to Chiang Rai! This market is great for souvenir shopping and trying tasty Thai street food! In the center of the bazaar, there’s a big open area with various street food stalls around. Sometimes there’s live music or theater shows on the stage. It’s always entertaining, even if you don’t understand everything.
On our first visit here, we saw a drag show which immediately set the tone. Other nights it was mainly live music or some people performing, so something for everyone! We also tried a lot of foods here, but one stuck with us… We highly recommend trying some hot pot, it’s absolutely delicious! It is a fun dining experience where a variety of raw ingredients are cooked in a simmering broth at the center of the table. We never had it before, but now we can’t stop thinking about it. There are countless hot pot stalls spread around the Night Bazaar, you won’t have trouble finding a vendor. The Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is open every night from 6 PM to 11 PM.
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