CULTURE Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip

Three artists, three opposite ideas of what a temple should look like. One built an entire complex in white and mirrored glass to represent a purified mind. Another filled black wooden halls with animal skulls and bone to sit with the idea of death. The third painted everything blue, since white was already taken.

4.9·TAT Certified·34 Booked

Duration~11h

Private TourJust Your Group

TransportIncluded

Hotel Pickup7–8 AM

About this tour

Chiang Rai's three most visited sites are really a single argument about what a temple should look like. Kositpipat built the White Temple in mirrored glass to represent a purified mind; his former student chose deep blue since white was taken; national artist Thawan Duchanee filled black wooden halls with animal skulls and bone — three temples built within decades of each other, each one answering the others.

Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip — Chiang Mai private tour

Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip — experience with guide

Chiang Rai Temples Day Trip highlights at Chiang Mai

Tour Highlights

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), an all-white, mirror-studded temple still under construction, crossed by a bridge over a pit of reaching hands
Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple), built in deep blue and gold by a former student of the White Temple's creator
Baan Dam (Black House), a compound of black wooden halls filled with animal bones and dark wood carving by national artist Thawan Duchanee
A roadside stop at Mae Kachan Hot Springs, geothermal pools hot enough to boil an egg

Itinerary

Tour runs approx. 11h

Hotel Pickup

An early start for the roughly three-hour drive to Chiang Rai.

Mae Kachan Hot Springs

A roadside stop at these geothermal pools, hot enough to boil an egg if you want to try.

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

Cross the bridge over a pit of reaching hands into an all-white temple still under construction since 1997, every surface set with small mirrors.

Lunch in Chiang Rai

A local restaurant in town before the afternoon stops.

Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

A deep blue and gold temple built by a former student of the White Temple's creator, with a stark white Buddha image at its center.

Baan Dam (Black House)

A compound of black wooden halls filled with animal skulls, horns and bones, built as a deliberate counterpoint to the White Temple.

Drive Back to Chiang Mai

The return drive, with a stop along the way if the group wants one.

Hotel Drop-off

Arrival back at your hotel in the early evening.

Included in Your Tour

Hotel Pickup

Complimentary Hotel Pickup

Any hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Instructions: We will pick you up directly from your hotel lobby. Your private guide and driver will arrive in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Please be ready in your lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time (7–8 AM).

Included

Private hotel pickup and drop-off (Chiang Mai)
Expert local English-speaking guide
All transport for the full day
Entrance fees to all three sites
Lunch in Chiang Rai
Bottled water and cold towels

Excluded

Gratuities (optional)
Golden building entrance fee at Wat Rong Khun (small additional fee, optional)
Personal purchases

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen & sunglasses
Camera or smartphone
Light, breathable clothing, shoulders and knees covered, required at the temples

Hi, I'm Monika!

TAT Certified Guide · Thai Native & Food Lover

“Born in Chiang Mai and based in Bangkok, I started 'Hi Monika' to show travellers the authentic side of my country — the places my friends and family actually hang out. I love sharing our food, our culture, and the hidden stories of our neighbourhoods.”

Guest Reviews

4.9

“Monika was incredible! We saw parts of Chiang Mai we never would have found on our own. The street food was amazing and we felt completely safe the entire time.”

Sarah L.October 2024

“Perfectly organised and so much more personal than a group tour. Monika knew exactly when to go to each spot to avoid the crowds.”

James & EmmaSeptember 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Will we have the tour to ourselves?

Yes — this is strictly a private tour for you and your loved ones only. No other guests, no shared buses, no waiting around for people you have never met. The guide, the vehicle and the entire day are exclusively yours.

Can I change the date after booking?

Yes — contact us via WhatsApp or email at least 12 hours before the tour start time and we will reschedule your tour once at no extra cost, subject to availability. Subsequent reschedules are subject to a THB 1,500 fee.

What happens if it rains?

Chiang Mai weather is unpredictable. Tours operate rain or shine — we provide umbrellas if needed and adapt the itinerary where possible. If severe weather makes the tour unsafe, you'll receive a full reschedule or refund.

Do I need to pay anything on the day?

No. The price covers everything: entrance fees, all transport, bottled water and lunch. Just bring spending money for any personal shopping or optional extras.

Note: many local vendors and restaurants do not accept credit cards — cash is always the safest option.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. The pace and itinerary are adapted to your group. Let us know the ages of your children when booking so we can plan accordingly.