The White and Blue Temples
Local buses were heading to Wat Rong Khun (Thai: วัดร่องขุ่น), also known as the White Temple. We climbed on a bus for a 20-minute ride to the artistic, contemporary, and peculiar temple. The holy site is privately owned by the local artist Chaloemchai Kositpipat and is unlike any other religious structure in Thailand.
The white and silver exterior of the central temple with its glistening and mirrored fragments was stunning. We entered the temple by crossing a pearly white bridge built over a sea of monsters, skulls and grasping hands trying to reach our ankles. The unconventional masterpiece is like no other religious structure in Thailand and we could understand why it divided opinions.
The interior walls of the temple were painted with the life of Buddha and some truly bizarre and out-of-place superhero, sci-fi and pop star figures. We spotted Superman, Star Wars characters, Disney characters, a crotch-grabbing Michael Jackson, Terminator, Harry Potter, a minion, Pikachu, Billy the Puppet from the Saw franchise, Elvis Presley, Transformers, Angry Birds, Hulk, Freddy Krueger, Batman, Avatar, Spider-Man, Son Goku, Pirates of the Caribbean heroes. We wandered around the spectacular temple as its surroundings were also photo-worthy.
Wat Phra Kaew
After a light lunch, we hopped onboard a songthaew which is basically a truck with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side. The truck followed the same road as the buses but ran more often at the same price as the bus.
Wat Phra Kaew (Thai: วัดพระแก้ว) was next on our list. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Rai and used to hold the Emerald Buddha, the most highly revered Buddha image in Thailand. We admired the copy as the original has been relocated to Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok.
The Blue Temple
We finished the day with a visit to the Blue Temple or, to use its correct name, Rong Sear Tean Temple (Thai: วัดร่องเสือเต้น). The newest temple in Chiang Rai was still under construction but was already worth seeing and there were quite a few visitors, both local and overseas. Artisans were completing the fountain by the entrance. It was funny to see the different steps used to create those massive sculptures.
Essential tips for visiting Chiang Rai temples
- White Temple transport: Local buses from Chiang Rai bus station run every 20-30 minutes. Journey takes 20 mins. Songthaews (shared taxis) also available at similar prices.
- Entry fees (2017): White Temple: 50 baht. Blue Temple: Free (donations appreciated). Wat Phra Kaew: Free.
- Best time to visit: Early morning (8-9am) or late afternoon (4-5pm) to avoid heat and crowds. White Temple especially crowded midday. Blue Temple less busy overall.
- Photography rules: Photos allowed outside. NO PHOTOS inside White Temple main hall - strictly enforced! Blue Temple more relaxed about interior photos.
- Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered. Remove shoes before entering temples. Free sarongs usually available if needed.
- White Temple highlights: Mirrored facade, bridge over sea of hands, pop culture murals inside (Superman, Batman, Minions, Star Wars!), golden toilets. Truly unique experience!
- Artist info: Created by local artist Chaloemchai Kositpipat. Still under construction - ongoing lifetime project. Privately owned, not government temple.
- Blue Temple (Rong Sear Tean): Newest temple in Chiang Rai. Still under construction but already stunning. Less crowded than White Temple. Watch artisans working!
- Wat Phra Kaew: One of oldest temples in Chiang Rai. Once held the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok). See replica of Thailand's most sacred Buddha image.
- One day itinerary: White Temple (morning) → Lunch → Wat Phra Kaew → Blue Temple (afternoon). All doable in one day using local transport. Budget ~500-1000 baht including transport and food.
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Pin These Moments
✨ Unconventional Masterpiece
The stunning White Temple with mirrored facades, superhero murals, and a bridge over grasping hands - Thailand's most unique temple!
💙 Blue Temple Beauty
Chiang Rai's newest artistic temple - still under construction but already breathtaking with its vibrant blue architecture.
Have you visited the White and Blue Temples? Which pop culture character did you spot in the White Temple? What did you think of Chiang Rai? Leave us your comments below. We would love to hear from you.