Chiang Rai Selected Local Experiences

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

The White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun has its own amazing history, as it was once an old, deteriorated temple until national artist and Chiang Rai native Chalermchai Kositpipat renovated it in an entirely new style. Apart from its stellar all-white exterior and elaborate carvings, the artist combines contemporary culture in the White Temple design. Also, don’t forget to visit Chalermchai Kositpipat’s art gallery in the temple complex. The gallery hosts a large collection of the national artist’s masterpieces.

Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)

This amazingly mystical temple is designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat’s student, Salanok. The Blue Temple or Wat Rong Suea Ten is the latest addition to Chiang Rai’s flamboyant, multicolored architecture. Painted sapphire blue inside and out, Wat Rong Suea Ten isn’t as big as the aforementioned White Temple, but your journey into this northern Thai fantasy will not be complete without giving it a visit.

Black House (Baan Dam Museum)   

Born in Chiang Rai, the late great national artist Thawan Duchanee made a tremendous influence on the Thai art scene. One of his most impressively eerie works is Black House. The museum hosts 40 Northern Thai temple-like buildings, each one decorated with animal remains that the modern Buddhist artist collected. Black House isn’t just about its dark color scheme but also the dark but undeniably true concepts of life and death. Skins, skulls, horns, bones and other animal parts symbolizes the inevitable death that everyone must face and can be interpreted in numerous different ways.

3.) Admire the breathtaking mountain views 

Doi Pha Tang

Few people, even locals have been to Doi Pha Tang, which makes it a great destination for explorers. Apart from panoramic views of mist and clouds from Hill 101, Hill 102 and Hill 103 (the peak that rises 1,653 meters into the sky), Doi Pha Tang is unique with rock cliffs (Chong Pha Kad) that look as if they were torn apart. You can even see the Mekong River and Laotian valleys down below through the mist and the cliff gates.

While you can enjoy the sea of mist at Doi Pha Tang all year round, visit in December or January for wild Himalayan cherry blossoms.

Phu Chi Fa

Phu Chi Fa is one of the most popular spots to view the sea of mist and sunrise among Thai travelers that remains somewhat under the radar among foreign visitors. Pointing to the sky as its name says, the silhouette of Phu Chi Fa against the sunrise is a stunningly unique sight to behold.

Once you catch the sunrise at over 1,600 meters above sea level, be sure to stay! Phu Chi Fa sits astride between the border of Thailand and Laos, so you can see the Mekong River, forests and mountains in the other side after the mist dissipates. Like Doi Pha Tang, Phu Chi Fa is blessed with wild Himalayan cherry blossoms from December to January.