Thinking of visiting Chiang Rai while in Thailand? Known for its beautiful temples, Chiang Rai is located in the Northeast of Thailand. If you’re visiting Chiang Mai during your stay in Thailand, why not add one day to visit the famous temples of Chiang Rai.
Wondering if it’s possible to visit Chiang Rai in one day? Yes. We visited Chiang Rai on a day trip from Chiang Mai. It was a packed day, but it was a lovely experience.
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Ready to visit Chiang Rai? In this post, you’ll find details on how to see Chiang Rai in one day. If you want to do this exact trip, I’d suggest booking through Tinggly (you’ll find more details at the end of this post.)
Itinerary Chiang Rai, Thailand
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best things to do in Chiang Rai. Still wondering if you should visit Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, or both? Here’s our comparison between Chiang Mai and Chaing Rai.
Pick up from Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our driver picked us early in the morning (at 6h30AM). We stopped a few times on our way to Chiang Rai since it’s a long drive (about 4 hours). Our driver suggested doing the itinerary in a different order so we can avoid the crowds. We obviously said yes!
Mae Kachan Hot Spring & Geyser
One of our stops on the way to Chiang Rai was at the hot spring. It’s a great occasion to rest, walk around and admire some unexpected geysers. We sat and dipped our feet in the hot water. It was quite relaxing.
If you’re hungry, you could even get a boiled egg. Yes – they boil eggs in the hot spring water there.
Black House, Chiang Rai
Our next stop was Baan Dam, also known as the Black House. It is a very unusual but unique tourist spot in its own way. It was created by local artist Thawan Duchanee and it used to be his art studio. Now, it’s a museum and the complex comprises 40 buildings that are all different shapes and sizes, spread out across the big garden. The Black House was built in the traditional Lanna style and painted completely black although you can find influence from other countries like Myanmar or Indonesia, too. A large collection of animal bones and remains, furniture, paintings, and sculptures were meant to showcase his artwork but because of its dark color and atmosphere, it’s also called ‘Hell Temple’ by many people. Although, once you know the story behind it and look around, you will get a better picture and understand the meaning behind this surreal and mysterious place.
I would not recommend this place for animal lovers and vegetarians since you will see a lot of animal bones and remains.
Lunch Khao Soi
Khao soi or Khao soy is a traditional dish inspired by Northern Thai cuisine. We’re basically talking about egg noodles and chicken in yellow curry. Note that you can also request a vegetarian version of it. It’s recommended to add lime and pickles within the soup.
We had a delicious Khao Soi experience in a local restaurant not too far from the Black House. You can save the location here.
Blue Temple, Chiang Rai
Our next stop was the Blue Temple. Wat Rong Suea Ten or the Blue Temple was completed in 2016 (yet still a work in process). It was designed by Putha Kabkaew. Contemporary and modern architecture and overall structure aren’t completely as traditional as other temples and it features many carved statues of the Buddha, Nagas, Garuda and other beings from Thai Buddhist cosmology. Inside walls and ceilings are covered with beautiful, colorful, detailed paintings, and the main interior and exterior colors of the temple are blue and golden.
You can find a big, porcelain white Buddha with blue lights in the centre of the room inside and other white Buddha on the outside, close to the entrance.
The fun fact is that Wat Rong Suea Ten translates to Dancing Tiger Temple, not a Blue Temple. In the past, there were, apparently, tigers living in the area and there was an old abundant temple.
White Temple, Chiang Rai
Then, we went to the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun in Thai. It looks like heaven but carries aspects of hell, too! This extravagant temple was designed by Thai artists Chalermchai Kositpipat who brought his vision into life. White color shows the purity of the Buddha and the temple is full of Buddhist symbolism that combines aspects of heaven, hell, and religion in the architecture, paintings, and mirror decorations. The entrance to the temple is by passing through the narrow bridge that is surrounded by deformed heads and hands, representing the Buddhist belief that suffering must come before salvation. Inside the temple, you can find paintings that are also contradicting because lower you look, paintings portray war and hell but higher you look, the more heavenly and majestic paintings are.
He also brought some modern aspects by including superheroes like Batman and Spiderman.
The template hasn’t been officially finished to date and it’s a work in progress since the artist continues to make small alterations and additions.
Wat Saeng Kaeo Phothiyan, Chiang Rai
Our last stop was at Wat Saeng Kaeo Phothiyan on our way back. This one is not so well known, but it’s 100% worth the visit! You can save the location here.
The name can be translated into Glass Light or more wordy translation “A lotus that has sprouted and emerged from the water and emits light like a sparkling gem with brilliant light.”
The huge and impressive complex is full of colors and you can find a lot of bizarre statues spread around the complex. When you walk upstairs towards the main entrance, you will enter the main hall where you can see a big golden Buddha statue and if you continue, you will get to the open space garden with large statues like Ganesh and statues representing venerating monks from Northern Thailand.
Small details and decorations in combination with numerous statues are definitely making this place unique. However, there are some modern touches to it like the devil wearing converse or statue having a phone in a back pocket which makes it a cool place to visit!
Drop off in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our driver dropped us off at our apartment in Chiang Mai. What a day!
Advantages of Booking your Day Trip to Chiang Rai with Tinggly
Tinggly offers many Thailand experiences. You can consult the full list here. Here are some of the perks that come with booking via Tinggly.
- Amazing local operator: Tinggly has partnered with great tour operators around the world. They only offer high-quality travel experiences with an original twist.
- Kind local guide: Our local guide, Kiki, was great! He contacted us the day before to confirm everything and he adapted the itinerary to our needs (for example: avoiding the crowds in touristy spots by suggesting to reverse the itinerary).
- Fun couple activity: Tinggly has different sets of activities for solo travelers and for couples. We love the couple’s activities because we don’t like large group tours. Having our own guide was fantastic.
