chiang rai thailand

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is Chiang Rai’s most iconic temple. This temple is on the top of “must visit places” list of tourists visiting Thailand. A holiday to Chiang Rai is not complete without a visit to this unusual temple. It is located 60 หมู่ที่ 1 Phahonyothin Rd, Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000.

Now is definitely the time to go. Thailand has lifted all travel restrictions related to COVID-19. And there are loads of air fare promos most notably from Thai Smile Airways.

Going into the area is free but entering the White Temple grounds is not. It’s quite a large place with several , equally interesting architectural designs. It also has some quite interesting activities to do within the temple if you are up to it. For people bringing their DSLRs or mirror less cams it would pay to bring your ultra wide lens along with your portrait lens as the structures are big and beautiful but there’s not much room to back up to if you have a narrow field of view.

For those who would like to try their luck on a wishing well this place has it. The wishing well that they have is quite challenging as you have to shoot the coin in an under water pot. Make sure you have extra coins with you and good luck.

White Temple Chiang Rai Thailand — Wishing Well

They also have steel sheets cut into small decorative shapes where you can write your plans or hopes and dreams and hang it on a wishing tree. The decorative metal sheets are not free (20 THB each) so just think of it as some sort of donation to the temple every time you buy one.

As mentioned earlier entering the white temple grounds is not free. The white temple used to be enclosed by a fence but recently it was replaced with canal that separates its ground from the parking lot and adjacent infrastructures. At the gates you will be greeted by employees-in-charge and pay the entrance fee, 100 THB for foreigners and 50 THB for locals. All the other structures around the huge ground are all free of charge.

Photography and video taking are allowed only on the surrounding ground and on the bridge leading to the temple but these are not allowed inside the temple. Also, visitors are asked to take off their shoes before going inside the temple. If you wish to only take photos and videos of the magnificent architecture, you can and exit at the left side of the temple.

The white temple is one of Thailand’s iconic architectures, as it absolutely different from the rest of Thai temples. Its white color symbolizes the purity of Buddha, and its intricate details, elaborate embellishments, and gold trimming give the temple grace and elegance.

The Golden Temple is a great new addition to the array of unique architecture in this place. It is located at the east wing of the area. By its name, the entire temple is painted in gold, and it houses various artworks, illustrations, and symbols.