Chiang Rai is in northern mountainous Thailand near the Laos and Myanmar borders. It’s a small city of around 200,000 people but has plenty of temples. Chiang Rai temples are some of the most beautiful in the world and certainly the most unusual. We visited the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) when we were in Chiang Rai. While they are tourist sites they really are not to be missed.
Wat Rong Khun aka the White Temple was renovated and turned into this wonderful exhibition by local Chiang Rai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Kositpipat rebuilt the temple and funded the entire project with his own money. Work is still ongoing as you will see the while exploring the site. Expect to find Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles sculpted in amongst Buddha meditating. The place is a lot to get your head around but it is an enjoyable experience.
Wat Rong Suea Ten (the Blue Temple) was designed and built but Kositpipat’s student, Putha Kabkaew. Like the White Temple, the Blue Temple was built on the grounds of an ancient temple. The two differ in colour and the Blue Temple has a more modern approach to Buddhist architecture while the White Temple is pretty eccentric. You won’t find comic book heroes hanging from trees in the Blue Temple.
Chiang Rai Temples in Photos
The White Temple in Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun) Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand. Open 7 days a week from 8 am to 6 pm and the entrance fee is 50 Baht per person
The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) 306 หมู่ที่ 2 ตําบล, Rim Kok, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand. Free entry, and is open from 7 am to 8 pm every day.
*Some of the photos in the gallery were taken by my boyfriend Bob. You can find more of his photos on his instagram.
Want to read more about our adventures in Thailand? Check out our post from Chiang Mai.
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